Building AI That Works: A Hands-On Simulation of Success and Failure

Most organizations are no longer experimenting with AI - they are trying to scale it. And this is where things start to break. Despite strong models and successful pilots, many AI initiatives fail to deliver real value. Not because the technology doesn’t work, but because success is not well defined, measured and managed in real-world conditions. In this interactive session, participants will step into a simulated AI transformation scenario, making decisions under real constraints such as data limitations, cost pressure, user behavior and governance requirements. Through this exercise, we will uncover why AI systems that “work” in demos often fail in reality and what it actually takes to build systems that are measurable, reliable and worth scaling. +++ This event is part of the Zurich AI Festival, taking place from September 28 to October 3, 2026. Zurich AI Festival unites the minds building the future - visionary founders, bold investors, and tech leaders shaping tomorrow. Connect to tomorrow! Zurich AI Festival is a flagship initiative presented by ETH AI Center, Greater Zurich Area, the City of Zurich, the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Tourism, and supported by leading partners from academia, industry, government and the broader AI ecosystem. We look forward to welcoming you soon! Zurich AI Festival Team