Share thisre:publica has long evolved beyond a simple class reunion for the online community: The largest conference on the digital society in Europe brings tech topics together with politics, culture and society - a holistic view that is often neglected in everyday working life.
For data professionals in particular, this exchange is extremely valuable. It is essential to know what trends are emerging and what we - and therefore you - should be preparing for. Whether it's new AI developments, discussions about data protection or questions about corporate culture in digital times - re:publica provides inspiration and material for discussion far beyond the scope of a pure industry event.
Dr. Matthias Boeck and Dr. Ramona Casasola-Greiner have summarized the six most important insights from re:publica 2025 - viewed through a data lens - for you below.
Spoiler: It was about artificial intelligence at every turn, about privacy and European digital sovereignty, about data in marketing - and again and again about the question of how we can act responsibly and sustainably as an industry.
Would you like to discuss directly what these developments mean for your company?
Ramona Casasola-Greiner & Matthias Böck for FELD M at re:publica 2025
The re:publica from a data perspective
re:publica acts as an early warning system for the digital society. Anyone working with data today cannot settle into the comfort zone of familiar KPIs, established tools and routine processes. Data is leverage, a commodity, a tool for empowerment - and at the same time a source of great responsibility.
For FELD M, re:publica has always been a seismograph for upcoming developments. Anyone who listens carefully here will recognize early on which debates will shape the coming years in our core disciplines of digital analytics, privacy, marketing, data engineering and AI. This holistic view on technology, society and politics is a central component of our work.
1. Privacy = a matter of product & UX quality
If website content is no longer accessible without consent (“cookie consent”), then we have built an Internet for tracking - and not for your customers. Yet they should be the focus of your efforts.
While we know in theory that platforms like Facebook store enormous amounts of information about each person, we should regularly remind ourselves that behind anonymous targeting segments are real people with real data.
For us, this means that we advise our customers on topics such as data transparency and privacy UX - for example, on how data extracts can be prepared in a user-friendly way in the event of Information Requests.
2. Modern tech stack = EU tech stack
Europe's digital toolbox must be expanded and actively used. Data protection, independent infrastructures and open standards are central pillars of a democratic society. Initiatives such as EuroStack, the SECA API or European joint projects such as IPCEI CIS prove : There is another way - open, secure and “Made in EU”.
Corresponding sessions at re:publica have strengthened our opinion that technical decisions should also be viewed in geopolitical terms. Every data warehouse set-up and every cloud hosting not only affects features and costs, but also jurisdiction and dependencies.
We encourage our customers to openly reflect on this dimension: An EU-based analytics platform or an open source tool are not just alternatives, but can offer concrete advantages in terms of compliance, security and freedom of innovation.
3. Data literacy = cultural theme
A good understanding of current tools and technologies is no longer enough. Data competence has become a key leadership task. It determines whether and how you as an analyst, marketer or data engineer can continue to work in a trustworthy, legally compliant and effective manner in the future.
Data is valuable - but it is also sensitive and regulated by legal requirements and the increasing expectations of your customers. Data should therefore not only be used effectively, but also managed responsibly.
4. Gen X Y Z = the be-all and end-all
Differences between generations should neither be generalized nor ignored. For companies that want to appeal to all age cohorts, cross-generational collaboration is essential.
Corporate culture is becoming a decisive competitive factor. Those who manage to combine the wealth of experience of older employees with the perspective of younger ones will be more innovative and more resilient.
5. More AI opportunities = less AI value creation
Innovations in the field of artificial intelligence are increasing daily - but so are the practical challenges of implementing them. In day-to-day business, its use often fails due to fundamental issues such as data quality, a lack of expertise or complex processes.
At the same time, the question arises: How do we prevent dependencies on proprietary AI models that we cannot understand or control? How do we ensure that AI systems remain fair, transparent and serve the common good? The introduction of AI must go hand in hand with a clear strategy, the training of your employees - and ethical guidelines.
6. People-centricity = innovation driver
The best data strategy is of little use if the corporate culture does not support it. Tools, processes and efficiency are important - but in the end, people make the difference.
A strong data culture is not created by a new tool, but by trust, openness and empathetic leadership. Data teams should make targeted investments in soft skills - because the most innovative companies of the future will be strong in terms of both technology and people.
Concrete calls-to-action for you
- Form an informed opinion and take a stand.
re:publica thrives on attitude - and companies should also take a stance, e.g. on data protection, AI ethics or social responsibility. - Integrate new findings into your strategy.
Try out new technologies such as generative AI - but also draw clear boundaries. Create further training opportunities: The “new mindset” must be built together. - Strengthen your database - but respect your users.
Transparency and user sovereignty will become decisive success factors. - Think European.
A data protection-friendly, trust-based strategy is not a disadvantage, but a clear competitive advantage.
Conclusion and overarching learnings
We returned from re:publica 2025 with lots of new ideas. Artificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword, but a reality in all industries.
The decisive factor is not whether you use AI, but how you use it: Ethics and regulation are now an integral part of technical debates. There is a growing awareness that technologies have political and social influence - and therefore also responsibility.
For us, it was a reality check: Are we as an industry ready for the challenges that have long since become reality?
Are you interested in further insights?
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