Christmas digtial

The Christmas story can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, the book that is considered the world's bestseller in human history with almost five billion printed copies. The birth and life of Jesus is told in three different versions in the Gospels of Luke, Mark and John. Today, more than 2000 years later, digitalisation is helping to ensure that Christmas stories are written in a completely different way beyond human intelligence in the truest sense of the word.

Artificial intelligence in Baden-Württemberg: a creative driver of innovation for Christmas

Baden-Württemberg has established itself as a leading location for the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI). With numerous initiatives and institutions, the federal state is making a decisive contribution to promoting this key technology. For example, Baden-Württemberg operates a total of 16 regional AI labs that enable local companies and institutions to develop and utilise AI applications. In addition, Cyber Valley in Stuttgart and Tübingen, which has been in existence since 2016, forms a central innovation campus. With partners from science, business and society, it focuses on basic and applied research in the field of AI. In addition to technical innovations, AI also serves as a creative stimulus, for example for media and cultural professionals in the state. The potential of this technology is demonstrated particularly impressively by examples of the use of AI during the Christmas season.

• AI writes Christmas cards
  One original example of the creative use of AI is the generation of Christmas cards. The German daily newspaper taz, for example, uses an AI called Anic T. Wae, which regularly writes columns - including on Christmas topics, albeit with a critical perspective on the festival of love. This is where the technology shows its strength: it supports users in creating personalised texts that go beyond the usual greetings. AI-supported text assistants can formulate appealing messages, particularly in a business context. The prerequisite is that the AI is provided with sufficient information about the addressees to take their interests and preferences into account.
• AI selects gifts
  Another area of application is the selection of suitable gifts, for example for employees. Whereas this task used to fall to team assistants, AI-based gift generators now make the search easier. By entering the preferences and interests of the recipient, personalised suggestions are created - quickly and easily. The technology itself can also be used as a gift: From AI-controlled mini-robots to smart sensors and LEGO artwork, the market offers a wide range of options. AI thus combines functionality with a personal touch.
• Christmas party fun with augmented reality
  AI and related technologies such as augmented reality (AR) also open up new dimensions for Christmas parties. Long-standing company employees are often familiar with the pattern of traditional celebrations. But by using AR, the party can be organised in an innovative way. With AR glasses, interactive games such as virtual scavenger hunts or jump'n'run adventures can be integrated into the event. Especially for those who have had no previous contact with this technology, this offers a playful and low-threshold opportunity for exploration. Such experiences not only promote the Christmas spirit, but also team spirit.

Hohohoho - and what about ethics?

Wherever AI is discussed, responsibility also comes into play. Christmas cards written by a computer? Presents for Mrs Müller chosen by AI? Is it still possible to go under the noses of the recipients? It is clear that the use of AI always goes hand in hand with responsibility. The "bible" for AI has not yet been written - there is not (yet) a set of rules that comprehensively regulates the use of the technology. This also means that caution is the mother of the china box. It's all about balance. If you really want to make an effort to organise this Christmas differently for customers and employees, AI will certainly provide valuable inspiration and save you time in one place or another. However, anyone who uses technology to completely replace the idea of Christmas as a time for reflection and human interaction could be shipwrecked and alienate customers or employees.