2024 - Thank you for Your Teachings and Welcome 2025

Looking back at the photos of my 2024 on this last day of the year, I am struck by how much has happened, how dynamic everything was, how many incredible people I met, and how much I grew—personally, spiritually, and especially professionally. In the sections that follow, my memories might mix and merge, but only slightly.

I began this year in Dalmatia with my mum, as I have done in most recent years. We stayed deep in the countryside, where New Year’s Eve is short and quiet, with few and brief fireworks. Living outside the village, our years typically start peacefully, often with a good night’s sleep. If the weather permits, we enjoy a refreshing hike on January 1st. A few days later, I traveled back to Germany, only to embark hours later for Kutaisi, Georgia. Late in 2023, I decided to explore a destination that bridged Asia and Europe without requiring a long flight, allowing me to unwind briefly before returning to work.

Georgia surprised me in many ways. The societal tensions we hear about today were already palpable 12 months ago, albeit less pronounced. I remember how uncommon it was for tourists to hike independently. I recall the cows, which, much like dogs, left their homes in the morning and returned on their own in the evening. Small herds would stand patiently outside gates, waiting for them to open. I also remember the distinct faces of Georgian people. Their features are so unique that, before visiting, I must have mistaken many Muslim Georgians in Berlin for Turks. Traveling to that region brought so much clarity.

At work, we had a series of impactful events. The year began with the conclusion of our "KI Frühstück" (AI Breakfast) program, aimed at educating people about AI and its potential for businesses. Shortly after, we held our second conference on creativity and AI, two years after the first. The event was a resounding success, with inspiring speakers, insightful workshops, and a fantastic atmosphere. In February, I wrapped up the semester in Hamburg and, after years of teaching there, finally visited the Elbphilharmonie with my Croatian friend. While the musicians were excellent, the space lacked the charm of older concert halls. The dusty air and the sheer number of people made me uneasy. I thought about how difficult it would be to evacuate in an emergency. Although I wouldn’t return, I’m glad I experienced it to understand the ongoing discussions about the venue.

Later, I attended a TEDx event—a full-circle moment since I’ve used TED videos in my classes since at least 2013. It was fascinating to see how much effort went into organizing it. While some talks were genuinely inspiring for young audiences, others veered into self-promotion, with speakers lacking substance but captivating their listeners through sheer charisma.

In early May, I visited my student in Egypt to support her through a job and regional transition. I was fortunate that she connected me with Cairo’s best tour guide, who not only showed me the city’s most significant sites and provided deep historical context but also shared personal insights about her life as an Egyptian single mother. My friend and I were also lucky to find an active Catholic church in her neighborhood and participate in a Mass. Sharing the same rituals worldwide creates a profound sense of connection and belonging. Religions, at their core, offer this universal support system—a home and a community to help you, no matter where you are.

As if that wasn’t enough to fill an entire year already, the story continued. On my way back, I had a stopover in Paris. Usually, I try to schedule stopovers during the day to spend a few hours exploring, but this time I arrived at night and stayed in the city. This gave me the chance to enjoy a full day before my flight to Berlin. I wandered through various neighborhoods and eventually ended up in Parc Floral de Paris, a stunning spot where a peacock posed right in front of me. Although I’ve seen many peacocks in my life, this one made me fully realize their beauty, abundance, and the spiritual symbolism they carry. It was simply breathtaking!

Later in May, my mum and I managed to walk a total of 200 km, 180 km of which were along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. We had talked about doing this for ten years, and this year we finally started. One day, we will return to continue. It was wonderful to begin with the crossing of the Pyrenees and to start each morning afresh, with the sole objective of reaching a specific point by the afternoon. We had lovely encounters along the way. For us, it was a deeply rewarding experience, although the first days were crowded with people walking the path—many focused more on the challenge than on the journey itself, which was a bit distracting. I have walked the Way of St. Francis in Italy twice, which is much calmer than Santiago. For my mum and me, this journey brought us closer than we had been in years.

The first tech art fair of 2024 was the Zurich Art Weekend! There was a strong focus on AI in the arts and the responsibility that comes with creating new technologies. I was thrilled to meet and talk to one of my favorite artists, Refik Anadol. Fortunately (and unfortunately), he has become so famous that he no longer handles his correspondence personally. A few years ago, he had almost contributed to our volume on Creativity and AI. I was delighted to learn more about his growing awareness of environmental concerns and how he connects art with spirituality, giving it purpose—even in emerging forms like AI-driven art.

In 2024, I also got to know the city of my birth, Split, more deeply. Last year, I started collaborating with a tour guiding website, and this May, I had four reservations but no available guides for tours in German and English. So, I traveled to Dalmatia for just five days to conduct the tours myself. Since it was impossible to find new guides, I had to end the collaboration. However, I have to admit—it was incredibly fun. I discovered so much more about Split and enjoyed short swims at the local beaches between tours, finally feeling like a true local. You must understand that although I was born there, my family is from the countryside, and we moved to Germany when I was five. I never really had the chance to explore the city or its history in depth. I love it when life challenges me in ways that enrich and teach me.

The next photos I see are from a trip to Poland with my friend Miss R. Despite being so close to Berlin, I had never taken the time to visit. We spent a long weekend there, discovering Poland's stunning beauty and enjoying the reserved yet polite demeanor of its people. We both agreed that we would return. Later in the year, we took another trip to the Czech Republic, another place we had never visited. Although the atmosphere felt darker—partly because we stayed near a city with a World War II concentration camp—it was an eye-opening and memorable experience.

From July to October, I went through a turbulent yet transformative period of discovery and growth. It was a time of emotional ups and downs that left me stronger and more self-aware. During this phase, I organized a mindful walk for peace in Potsdam's Sanssouci Park and began swimming more frequently in nearby lakes. I had avoided them before, finding them unclean and feeling uncertain, even scared. Swimming in lakes after work on a hot day felt incredibly liberating. Since moving to this area in 2020, I had rarely ventured into the lakes, but this year I embraced it, feeling free and full of sunshine.

In late summer, I spontaneously took a week-long road trip through Belgium and northern France to escape emotional chaos. It was my first real road trip, deciding each afternoon where to head the next day. The beauty of the region, the landscapes, and the independence I rediscovered were transformative.

Professionally, I was honored to moderate an event for AI trainers as part of a German-wide initiative Mittelstand-Digital by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. There were about 800 people working for the initiative by then, and more than 50 internal AI trainers, being chosen for this task therefore felt like true recognition of my speaking skills. Soon after, I visited the Ars Electronica festival in Austria for the first time. The event was incredibly inspiring, showcasing digital art from around the world, with a focus on AI and the responsibilities it entails.

In autumn, I also connected with a wonderful Shiatsu practitioner in Potsdam who resolved a two-year shoulder mobility issue that countless other methods had failed to fix. Around the same time, I found a local meditation Sangha practicing Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. I immediately felt at home in this group. The atmosphere was authentic, free of ego, and filled with mutual encouragement. I even began “gardening,” guiding meditations, which brought profound peace and perspective to my days.

In November, I traveled to Brazil, starting in the Amazon, where I worked with Shetehu Shanenawa, a student of natural medicine. Spending a week in his humble presence taught me invaluable lessons. I am now collecting donations for his school—if you would like to contribute, please let me know. Walking in the rainforest with the tribes was extraordinary, and their work is vital for all of us. Afterward, I hosted a week-long women’s retreat in the Atlantic Forest in Ubatuba. We shared our experiences in nature and prayer, creating something truly beautiful.

Returning to Germany, I dove into a busy December filled with work and teaching. My students faced intense lessons on human interaction, personality differences, and team building, while at the digitalization center, my colleagues and I focused on innovative transfer formats and fostering connections among talented individuals. There is so much potential in the world.

Now, as I sit in Svib, Dalmatia, at the close of this year, I want to leave you with this thought: There is immense potential within the world, within you, and within your teams and projects. Uncover it, allow it to bloom, and through your efforts, you may contribute to a healthier environment and a better planet for all.

Thank you! Hvala! Danke! Arigato! Xiexie! Obrigada! Merci! Grazie! Gracias! Shukriya!

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