Hazel Brugger Instagram – It was a great honor to open the @googlede AI Center in Berlin, the first of its kind, as part of the „Tach Google“ event!
I had the privilege of hosting the evening and speaking with many fascinating people who are already saving lives and shaping our future through the technological advancements that AI brings.
For example, I spoke with Annette Kroeber-Riel (the „lady in red“), who has been researching AI in her Berlin office for almost 10 years and is committed to increasing Google’s presence in Berlin.
Or with Yossi Matias, who told me that with the help of AI, he can predict every potential flood disaster worldwide with an accuracy of almost a week, thus saving hundreds of millions of lives every year (since approximately 2 billion people worldwide are potentially at risk of flooding in coastal regions).
I spoke with Ellen Smeele from „Proxima Fusion“, who showed me a „Stellerator,“ a kind of mini power plant that’s being launched in Germany for the first time and is supposed to generate 100% clean energy. She recently received €400 million in funding from Bavaria for this project. (One of the most impressive and intelligent women I’ve ever met!)
I had the opportunity to introduce the Google CEO and be roasted by Dorothee Bär. (Which felt fantastic. Being roasted by Dorothee Bär is like receiving a compliment from someone you like.)
Of course, we also talked about risks and challenges. For example, whether AI exacerbates social inequality, or whether AI in Europe really has a realistic chance against China and the USA…
In any case, I always think it’s important for real people to come together in real spaces and have real encounters with each other. (Like here in Berlin.) Thank you for this wonderful evening! | Posted on 08/Mar/2026 22:14:32
