IFA 2026 is the world’s largest event for consumer electronics, home appliances and future tech, bringing tomorrow’s technology to Berlin. For five days, visitors can experience and try out the latest innovations in these fields: from smart homes, AI, robotics, audio and gaming to major stage performances, live music and podcasts – and, for the first time, with a re:publica programme special!

AI, smart glasses and consumer tech are changing not only the devices that surround us in everyday life, but also our perceptions, our relationships and our interactions with companies and platforms. Together with a line-up of exciting speakers, we’ll take a critical look at tech innovations, discuss the intersection of technology, business, society and politics, and ask: what promises are we actually being promised? What interests and power dynamics lie behind them? And how are new technologies changing our everyday lives and our public spaces?

re:publica x IFA 2026: The programme

How digitally sovereign is Europe?

Who controls the digital infrastructure on which our daily lives are becoming increasingly dependent? In this talk, Markus Beckedahl will discuss digital sovereignty and the power of big tech companies, as well as how Europe can strengthen its digital independence.

14:00-14:30 Uhr, Creator Stage

Smart Glasses – Next Big Thing or Privacy Nightmare?

Smart glasses now look almost like ordinary glasses, but they can do much more. They can take photos and videos, translate conversations, assist with navigation, recognise text and objects, and they can be operated by voice. Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner are fuelling the hype surrounding them, but just how useful are they? At the same time, this technology raises important questions about data protection and privacy. How should we respond to the fact that people can film others without their knowledge because these devices can no longer be distinguished from ordinary glasses? Should there be stricter labelling requirements, or should they even be banned outright in public spaces? This panel discussion brings together different perspectives on the opportunities, risks, and societal implications of these new devices.

14:45-15:45 Uhr, Creator Stage

AI: Magic, Myth and Marketing

Between magic and machinery: how do we talk about artificial intelligence, and what lies behind it? While Isabelle Rogat explores the cultural narratives surrounding AI and its magical connotations, Karine Gromada demystifies our perception of AI agents. They will then jointly answer questions from the audience

Isabelle Rogat: Magic AI & whimsical fairytales

On TikTok, people are sticking glitter stones on their faces, and Canva's AI image editing tool is called 'Magic Edit'. The word 'whimsical' is enjoying a historic linguistic resurgence, and magical AI is creating our websites, films, and calendars. Is this a coincidence? Isabelle Rogat doubts it. In her keynote address to the IFA audience, the cultural trend scout looks back at the history of magical narratives in the tech sector and asks why we prefer to mystify AI rather than question it, as well as who actually benefits from this narrative.

Karine Gromada: Human, Machine, Myth – Demystifying AI Agents

Hardly any term currently carries more significance than 'AI agent'. Yet the technology behind it is down-to-earth. So, how is an AI agent actually structured? And why does this spectacular technology fail in the most unspectacular areas? And why does our brain systematically work against us in this regard? These questions are examined from two perspectives that rarely come together: research and practice, without technical jargon. Those who understand the technology will remain calm even when the next AI doomsday headline appears.

16:00-17:00, Creator Stage

The re:publica programme special at IFA will take place on Monday 7 September 2026, from 1 pm to 5 pm, on the Creator Stage at the Palais am Funkturm. You’ll need an IFA ticket to attend. Click here to visit the ticket shop.

A friendly advice: we’re giving away free tickets on our Instagram channel. Participate and join us for free.