This is “The AI Shift” – Have a look & be empowered!
We are delighted to share the report from IATM’s 48th Conference! From 14-17 September 2025, we discussed “The AI Shift – Transforming Transport and Communication Museums”. We were hosted in the cities of Frankfurt am Main, Mannheim, and Zeppelinheim. The theme “The AI Shift” was explored through two inspiring keynote speeches, eight engaging workshops, and lively discussion rounds in a “world café” setting. In addition, two excursions allowed participants to dive deeper into the world of museum collections and exhibitions.
Getting started
The first excursion day invited us to learn more about the Museum Foundation Post and Telecommunication. We were welcomed at their large depot in Heusenstamm (close to Frankfurt) and toured the sight of 15,000 square metres. Afterwards, a dinner at a local “Apfelwein restaurant” got us into the spirit for the next days.
On the first day, we were joined by Ralf Krauter, science journalist and among others, host of the German podcast “KI verstehen” (“understanding AI”). In his keynote, he drew a vision for the future of museums in the age of AI and recommended key perspectives:
Getting acquainted and to work
Followed by our first workshop session, you joined different discussion groups. During the discussions, the workshop hosts and participants outlined recommendations and ideas on how museums can proactively and practically deal with worries, risks and legal questions around AI.
In our second round of workshops, we explored the practical application of AI. Where do we start and what should we aim for? The main point “Be proactive, yet deliberate” resonated with all attendees. Subsequently, it may serve as the heading to the subsequent outcomes of the different workshop rounds.
While the AI focused part of the conference concluded for the day, IATM members attended the General Assembly next. We are excited to be welcoming Elizabeth McKay, CEO of London Transport Museum, and Jens Toftegard, Director of the Danish Railway Museum, as new Members to the Board!
Don’t be afraid
The second conference day took us to Mannheim. We enjoyed a tour of the TECHNOSEUM before getting back to the conference’s main topic. Prof Johannes C. Bernhardt invited us to move away from “AI and cry” to being active and involved with his keynote on the transformative impact of AI. Our ensuing world café session built on this basis and consolidated the role of AI in our institutions. We all could develop a sense of action and empowerment.
An optional visit to the Zeppelin-Museum in Zepplinheim concluded the conference with fascinating insights on 17 September.
You may find the in-depth report on the conference webpage and for download here.
The conference was co-organised by a team from the Museum for Communication Frankfurt, the TECHNOSEUM in Mannheim, and the Deutsche Technikmuseum in Berlin. We want to thank everybody who was involved in turning this conference into yet another success!
