Shaping the Digital Future
The Students Competition about Digital Responsibility
DFC#6: Let’s build digital futures together!
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization, assumes the patronage of DFC#6:
Take action on one of the key challenges of our time: Develop innovative ideas and approaches on the topic of Digital Responsibility and help shaping pioneering digital futures!
Shaping Germany’s Digital Tomorrow
Digital Future Challenge #6 explores the potential of AI Agents and Robotics. These technologies offer powerful tools for shaping digital futures in Germany.
AI agents are becoming increasingly autonomous: they communicate independently, make decisions, and interact flexibly in complex environments. Robots, enhanced by artificial intelligence and connectivity, are evolving from simple automation tools into intelligent, adaptive systems.
General Information
How can you participate?
No matter if you're from economics, media, environmental studies, law, or another background, you have until December 01, 2025, to submit your idea for one of the use cases and convince us that you can shape the digital futures of tomorrow!
Here's how to get involved:
1. Form a team of 2 to 4 students
2. Choose a Use Case & download the Submission Template
3. Register your team via our digital platform
4. Collaboratively develop an innovative solution idea
5. Please submit your idea via our digital platform
Tips: Get in touch with one of our Mentors, they are amazing experts and can help you refine your idea - don’t forget to read the Terms and Conditions early on. Also, make sure to check the Evaluation Criteria to guide your idea development.
How can Mentors & Workshops help you?
Workshops to boost your Idea & Skills: Throughout the challenge, we offer Design Thinking workshops – to help you develop your idea and gain valuable skills for your future. Learn how to pitch, apply Design Thinking, and more.
Design Thinking: October 29, 2025 | 5:00–6:30 PM
How to pitch an innovation?: December 09, 2025 I 10:00–11:00 AM
Invest in yourself – and don’t miss out! Just one click gives you the teams access link.
Feedback makes the difference – with Mentors by your side: Great ideas grow through exchange. That’s why our experts are here to support you – with insights, feedback, and sparring. Whether it’s refining your concept, discussing industry trends, or navigating legal and technical questions – we’ve got you covered.
Reach out and get expert input! Connect with us via kontakt@digital-future-challenge.de
Social relevance
- To what extent does the idea solve the social problem described in the use case?
- How big is the potential positive impact?
Future viability and innovative strength
- Does the idea take into account future developments, challenges or technological trends?
- Does the idea have the potential to be effective in the long term
- What is the innovative core?
Feasibility
- Is the idea based on realistic assumptions?
- Are the framework conditions (technical, legal, organizational) basically available or achievable?
- Is it feasible in the short or medium term?
Multi-perspectivity
- Were different professional perspectives (e.g. technology, ethics, law, economics, ecology) included?
- Were conflicting goals or tensions between perspectives reflected?
- Is there a well-thought-out balance between opportunities and risks?
Social inclusion
- Does the idea contribute to opportunity-oriented digital futures for society?
- Were different target groups taken into account during the conception (e.g. with a diversity approach)?
- Does the idea promote access, participation and inclusion (e.g. through barrier-free design, linguistic simplicity or fair distribution)?
Overall impression & impact of the idea
- Is the idea presented in an appealing, comprehensible and convincing way?
- Does the idea reflect a responsible, opportunity-oriented approach to digitalization?
- Is there a clear and viable solution?
Use Cases
AI Agents
Robotics
Points of Contact for the Digital Future Challenge
