In this episode of Cards Against Complexity, host Jan speaks with Ludwig Pannach, Head of AI at XXXLutz digital, about applying AI at scale in enterprise environments. Ludwig shares his journey from the automotive industry at Porsche to the dynamic world of furniture retail, bringing valuable insights on how AI can drive meaningful change across sectors.

*Key Takeaways*:

• From Engineering to Experimentation:
Ludwig’s transition from Porsche to XXXLutz reveals how different enterprise environments influence AI adoption. While automotive emphasizes precision and long-term engineering cycles, retail offers a broader experimental landscape—enabling rapid customer-facing innovation.

• Making AI Work in the Enterprise:
AI success in large organizations requires combining product thinking with strategic prioritization. Ludwig emphasizes the importance of identifying real business problems before deploying AI—and using rapid testing (e.g. A/B experiments) to validate impact. Enterprise AI isn’t just a technical project; it’s an organizational transformation.

• The Role of Education in the AI Era:
Drawing on his experience as a university lecturer, Ludwig argues that foundational methods and strong networks remain essential—despite the fast pace of AI developments. He encourages students and institutions to adapt without abandoning the core principles of critical thinking and applied learning.

Whether you're leading digital transformation, working on AI strategy, or exploring tech career paths, this episode offers grounded perspectives on navigating complexity at scale.