What began as Munich Digital Day has grown into a global flagship series. To reflect this evolution and align with Simmons & Simmons’ global tech platform, the event now forms part of TECH: ignite, our international programme dedicated to exploring the legal, commercial, and strategic forces shaping the future of technology.
What to expect in 2026
Join senior legal, compliance and technology leaders for a one day, in person event exploring the next wave of AI and digital regulation – from self directed AI agents and AI powered robotics to the EU Data Act, the AI Act and emerging global regimes in the US, China, Asia and the Middle East.
Hear first hand insights from regulators, industry pioneers and in house counsel at leading technology and industrial companies, including voices from SPRIND (the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation), the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA), Amazon, BSH Hausgeräte, Intrinsic (Google), Helsing, IBM, BMW, Honeywell and Simmons & Simmons.
Be part of TECH: ignite and secure your place today.
Under the event title “AI Agents, Governance & the EU Digital Rulebook”, we are honoured to welcome a distinguished lineup of high calibre guest speakers. Please find the detailed agenda below.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Arrival, badge collection and networking
10:00 – 10:15
Opening & Welcome
Short welcome, framing of the day and practical information.
Speaker: Simmons & Simmons Germany
10:15 – 11:00
Session 1
Title: Agentic AI Unleashed – Opportunities, Risks and Legal Guardrails
10:15 – 10:35
Opening Keynote
“Building with Agentic AI – What Breakthrough Systems Mean for Business”
Speaker: Dr Johannes Otterbach, ex OpenAI, Palantir; AI and Quantum, SPRIND – Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen
10:40 – 11:00
“Designing Compliant Agentic AI – Key Legal Issues for Companies”
Speaker: Simmons & Simmons
Focus: AI Act & GDPR interplay, liability, accountability
11:05 – 12:05
Session 2
Title: The EU Digital Rulebook in Practice – From Data Act to AI as a Service
11:05 – 11:20
“New EU Digital Laws – Building a Practical Compliance Roadmap”
Speaker: Dorin Rat, Corporate Counsel, Digital, Amazon
Focus: How to think about operationalising overlapping digital regulations?
11:20 – 11:35
“Connected Products & the EU Data Act – What Manufacturers Must Prepare For”
Speaker: Dr Hans Peter Wiesemann, CIPP/E, Leader Practice Group Digital Law, BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Focus: Data access, sharing obligations, impact on product strategy.
11:35 – 11:50
“SaaS, IaaS & AIaaS – Making Sense of the Data Act’s Cloud Switching Rules”
Speaker: Simmons & Simmons
Focus: Cloud portability, lock in, interoperability and contracts.
11:50 – 12:05
Panel Discussion & Q&A
Short moderated discussion with all three speakers, then audience Q&A.
12:10 – 12:25
Spotlight Talk
Title: AI & Data protection – already in harmony?
Speaker: Michael Will, President, Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA)
Focus: Digital Omnibus
12:30 – 13:15
Networking Lunch (45 minutes)
13:15 – 13:35
Spotlight Talk
Title: Physical AI – Regulatory Convergence & Contractual Complexity in Robotics
Speaker: Tobias Lange, Head of Legal Regulatory, Privacy & Legal Europe, Intrinsic, an AI Robotics Group at Google
13:35 – 14:15
Session 3
Title: AI Governance in High Risk Environments – Cybersecurity, Explainability, Compliance
Format: very short inputs (5–7 minutes each) followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q&A.
Short perspectives from:
- Dr Anke Allenhöfer, Legal Counsel, Helsing Germany GmbH; Member of the Advisory Board Rüstung, Sicherheit & Recht (RüSiR)
- IBM
- Peter Ruttmann, Assistant General Counsel, BMW Group
- Simmons & Simmons
14:30 – 14:50
Coffee Break (20 minutes)
14:50 – 15:40
Session 4
Title: AI Around the World – Global Regulatory Outlook 2026
Short regional updates followed by joint Q&A.
14:50 – 15:05
“United States – Patchwork or Pattern? AI Laws & Standards in Practice”
Speaker: Robin Power Kynaston, General Counsel, Product, Privacy & AI Governance, Honeywell
15:05 - 15:20
“China and Asia Pacific – Emerging AI & Data Governance Regimes”
Speaker: Simmons & Simmons Asia
Focus: Chinese AI rules, trends across wider APAC.
15:20 – 15:35
“Middle East – Innovation Friendly AI Frameworks and What They Mean for Business”
Speaker: Simmons & Simmons Middle East
Focus: Gulf AI strategies, regulatory sandboxes.
15:35 – 15:40
Joint Q&A (time permitting)
15:40 – 15:55
Closing & Key Takeaways
Speaker: Simmons & Simmons Germany
15:55 – 16:00
Buffer / Informal Networking
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