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Join the Jenoptik Innovation Days 2025 and light the spark, wherever you are!

Join us for the Innovation Days 2025, an event that brings together experts, innovators, and enthusiasts to explore the latest trends and advancements in technology most relevant to Jenoptik. This year, we are excited to host the event at the Lichtblick Restaurant in Jena, as well as in a hybrid format that allows participants to join from selected Jenoptik locations around the world.

Over the course of three days, we'll explore the latest trends and advancements in Software & AI, quantum optics & operations, and methodology. Each day will be packed with interactive workshops, giving you the opportunity to dive deeper into these topics and take away practical insights and knowledge.

We look forward to seeing you at the Innovation Days 2025.

Innovation Days 2025

October 28-30, 2025
"Lichtblick" restaurant in Jena-Göschwitz and hybrid

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Agenda

1.00 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.
Opening of Innovation Days by Dr. Ralf Kuschnereit
1.30 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Generative AI @ Jenoptik: From Vision to Value
Dr. Eva Hammes and Subhasis Pradhan (Jenoptik)

AI presents big opportunities – for our customers and internally. In this workshop, we will begin with an overview of how AI and in particular large language models work, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of building Jenoptik’s internal AI solutions. You will also see how different teams across the company are already using these tools in their daily work. In the final interactive workshop segment, we will discuss best practices, prompt engineering, limitations, and opportunities ahead - while collectively discussing ideas around AI that helps us drive from our Vision of adapting AI to create value for Jenoptik and our customers.

3.45 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Optical Neural Networks – Machine Learning with Photons
Dr. Frank Setzpfandt and Elena Goi (Fraunhofer IOF, FSU)

In recent years, fundamental research has demonstrated that many of the computations necessary to implement neural networks can be efficiently realized with light, which offers low-latency, low-crosstalk, massive parallelism and high signal bandwidth. This provides the potential to reduce the computation time since results are generated literally with the speed of light, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption due to the passive nature of the used optical components. Moreover, leveraging the complex physics of light, optical neural networks are evolving towards new computational paradigms for efficient computing with a smaller footprint, advanced functionalities and increased scalability compared to present solutions. The workshop will discuss the basic principles of optical neural networks, available platforms to implement them and different examples of the current state of the art. Together with the participants, we will further try to gauge how the fundamental potentials of this approach can be leveraged in relevant applications.

5.30 p.m. – 5.45 p.m.
Wrap Up Day 1

1.00 p.m. – 1.05 p.m.
Intro Day 2
1.05 p.m. – 3.05 p.m.
Operations Innovation going forward
Roman Feldkamp (Jenoptik)

This workshop introduces participants to the core principles and applications of Digital Manufacturing. We will explore how digital tools, data-driven processes, and advanced technologies are transforming production. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, participants will gain insights into the opportunities and challenges of implementing digital manufacturing strategies. The session is designed to provide both a conceptual foundation and actionable perspectives for our internal teams.

3.20 p.m. – 4.50 p.m.
LNOI-Platform for Integrated Optics & Quantum Photonics
Fraunhofer IOF

Lithium Niobate on Insulator (LNOI) technology is a cutting-edge photonic platform that enables the development of integrated optical circuits with ultra-low loss and high-speed modulation capabilities. It leverages the strong nonlinear optical and electro-optic properties of lithium niobate to achieve efficient generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum states of light on a single chip. This platform supports fast reconfigurability and high fidelity required for scalable quantum information processing, making it ideal for quantum computing, communication, and sensing applications. We will explore the potential and challenges of LNOI technology and briefly discuss different platforms and their respective advantages and limitations.

5.05 p.m. – 5.50 p.m.
Quantum Computing – Available Today or Science Fiction Set in the Distant Future?
Dr. Frank Schlichting (SaxonQ)

This workshop explores the current state of quantum computing, its possibilities and limitations. We will discuss the availability of quantum computers, their operating conditions, and potential applications beyond niche markets. The session will cover the roadmap for scalability and mass market availability, as well as Jenoptik's potential role in advancing this technology and establishing partnerships to drive progress. The workshop will provide a deeper understanding of quantum computing's potential and challenges.

5.50 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Wrap Up Day 2

1.00 p.m. – 1.05 p.m.
Intro Day 3
1.05 p.m. – 2.35 p.m.
Lean meets Foos
Katja Berghahn (Jenoptik)

At this year's Innovation Days, JBS is presenting the innovative concept “Lean meets Foos.” This concept applies the principles of lean methodology to table soccer, familiarizing participants with the basics of lean philosophy in an entertaining and interactive way. Through interactive exercises and games, you will learn how to apply the principles of lean methodology to your own work in order to optimize processes and increase efficiency. You will also discover how combining fun and learning can help reduce the complexity of Lean and experience the benefits of this method.

2.50 p.m. – 4.20 p.m.
Systems Engineering & System Thinking: Succeeding Together in the Whole System
Dr. Anja Schierbaum (Fraunhofer IEM)

Join this interactive workshop to experience how Systems Engineering and System Thinking enable us to better understand complexity and turn it into successful outcomes. Together, we will try out practical methods and tools, think beyond disciplinary boundaries, and explore how agile ways of working can succeed across different domains. We will also see how models in Systems Engineering support collaboration and alignment, helping teams co-create approaches that keep the bigger picture in focus. You will discover how interdisciplinary collaboration, systemic thinking, and agile practices become powerful drivers of success.

4.35 p.m. – 5.35 p.m.
From Information Chaos to Informed Decisions: Enabling Data-Driven Technology Insights
Preetam Gaikwad (Jenoptik)

How can organizations make sense of complex signals about emerging technology developments? Scientific publications and patent data provide rich, valuable information about technology developments. However, the rapid pace and sheer volume of these fragmented sources make navigating them a real challenge. Traditional monitoring provides valuable deep insights into specific technology topics, but analyzing the vast and diverse data needed to track broad technology developments requires complementary data-driven methods. Together, with our data-driven approach, we will showcase how to turn overwhelming information into clear, prioritized opportunities that support your decisions.

5.35 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Recap and Closure

Watch our recap of the 2024 Innovation Days

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