WISE 2025 AGENDA
THURSDAY May 15th, Pfefferberg
9:30 - 11:00 Breakfast & Registration with DJ Omlet
THEATER STAGE
PANEL:
WISE ON AI Avatars
The rapid advancement of AI-generated avatars is reshaping the landscape of entertainment, offering unprecedented opportunities for music- and the creative industry simultaneously raising complex ethical and legal questions. This panel will explore the multifaceted implications of AI avatars in the creative industries, including touching on recent developments and controversies in Hollywood.
PANEL:
WISE ON AI Regulation
From Silicon Valley’s light-touch approach to Europe’s strict rules and Asia’s fast-evolving frameworks — the world is taking very different paths on AI. This panel dives into the competing models, what’s at stake for creators and innovators, and asks the big question: what’s next for global AI governance - with a special focus on (music-) copyrights.
PANEL:
WISE ON Artist Investment
The ways artists fund their careers are changing fast — from fan-powered platforms and catalog sales to venture capital and new equity models. This panel explores emerging business models, innovative financing options, and how artists are taking greater control of their creative and financial futures.
KEYNOTE:
WISE ON Sonic Branding: How AI is Shaping the Future of Sound for Brands
In an era where brand experiences transcend visual boundaries, the convergence of artificial intelligence and sonic branding is revolutionizing how brands and businesses connect with their audiences in multi-sensorial environments.
This keynote explores the transformative power of AI in crafting personalized sonic experiences that resonate deeply with consumers. We'll dive into how emotional AI algorithms are reshaping music creation, sound design, and voice synthesis, creating unprecedented opportunities for brands to speak directly to their audiences' hearts.
The session culminates with the exclusive launch of Sonic Hub 2.0, the world's first AI Audio Operating System for Brands – a revolutionary platform set to redefine the landscape of sonic branding.
PANEL:
WISE ON Gen AI and Music (-Tools)
Generative AI is opening new creative possibilities for artists, offering tools for inspiration, collaboration, and innovation. This panel explores how musicians can work with AI — and examines the ethical questions around authorship, originality, and responsible use.
PANEL:
WISE ON Quantum Music, Art & Culture
Eduardo R. Miranda - ICCMR University of Plymouth
Carly Whitefield - LAS Foundation
Karl Jansen - Center for Quantum Technology and Applications (CQTA), DESY
Hua Wang - Artist
Quantum technologies are not just transforming science — they are inspiring a new cultural and artistic imagination. In this panel, senior curator Carly Whitefield (LAS Foundation) and pioneer of Quantum Computer Music as well as Founder and director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCR) at the University of Plymouth Eduardo R. Miranda explore how quantum thinking reshapes creativity, from visual arts to music composition. Together with Karl Jansen, a world leading expert in quantum computing and visual artist Hua Wang they will discuss how artists are engaging with quantum physics, the challenges of interpreting complex science through culture, and what new forms of expression might emerge from this next frontier.
HAUS 13 STAGE
KEYNOTE:
WISE ON Incubating the New Founder Class at the Frontier of Art and Technology
A new founder class is emerging—artists for whom technology is not merely a tool, but a native medium. They work with AI, game engines, crypto, generative design, and custom-built systems to shape how we engage with the world. These creators aren’t satisfied with provocation or commentary. Nor do they fit within existing structures like the gallery, the academy, or the traditional startup accelerator. Their ambitions are too expansive for the former, and too unconventional for the latter. They are building new ways of doing, founding, and scaling.
PANEL:
WISE ON the Future of Sync
This session will examine how the future of music licensing can become more efficient by opening up new and enhanced opportunities for supervisors, sync agencies, brands, and artists alike.
PANEL:
WISE ON the Future of Radio
Radio is evolving — from traditional FM waves to streaming, podcasts, and AI-driven platforms. This panel explores what the future of radio looks like for artists, audiences, and broadcasters, and how royalty collection must adapt to ensure creators are fairly compensated across new listening formats
KEYNOTE:
WISE ON When extremes meet: How to connect subcultures & music genres using psychology
How can musicians with different backgrounds work together perfectly? Which factors inspire innovation and co-creation? What does it take to bridge two (seemingly) opposite genres? In this keynote, DJ-turned-orchestra-leader Rafael Leeuwis will uncover how his psychological approach to music allowed him to unite musicians from multiple backgorunds into a genre-transcending orchestra.
At 19, Rafael Leeuwis stepped into his first rave—and everything changed. Coming from a background in psychology and a feeling of social disconnection, he discovered in the rave scene something deeply human: a place where people moved together, felt together, and belonged together. That experience sparked a decade-long journey to explore music as a tool for human connection.
He will share his understanding of social and musical psychology to create Polyphonic, a viral dance orchestra that blends drum & bass with 10 different genres. Rafael dives into the psychological functions of music and defines the 4 steps he takes to combine any genre.
PANEL:
WISE ON Electronic music meets Classical
Silvia Montello: Former CEO of the Association for Electronic Music with a background in both electronic and classical music.
Alex Stolze: Violinist, composer and producer merging neoclassical strings with electronic music.
Nikolai Serda: Founder of iGNITE! Music Agency, producing large-scale orchestral hardstyle shows for Q-Dance (Defqon.1, Qlimax) and managing classical musicians who work with DJs and producers.
Erik Olsman: First bass player of Phion orchestra with 30 years of international experience in classical and crossover projects.
Rafael Leeuwis (moderator): Psychologist and musical director of Polyphonic, an orchestra that blends drum & bass with classical music.
What does it take to combine electronic and classical music? In this panel, professionals from across the music world—ranging from orchestral composers to hardstyle show producers and industry leaders—share how they each approach the same creative challenge.
Together we will explore the universal principles behind bridging music across radically different backgrounds, training, and workflows. Expect a behind-the-scenes look at major hybrid productions—from orchestral raves to genre-defying concert tours—as well as insight into the musical, cultural and social challenges that arise when musical extremes collide.
This panel offers honest stories about successes and failures when electronic meets classical, and delivers practical insight into fostering real collaboration across musical languages, cultures, and mindsets.
KEYNOTE:
WISE ON Game Music as Neuroscience
The future of game music isn’t just entertainment—it’s neuroscience. Game soundtracks are evolving into personalized cognitive tools, enhancing focus, emotional regulation, and even mental health. This talk explores how adaptive AI-driven music could help players stay in flow, reduce anxiety, and reshape how we interact with sound.
PANEL:
WISE ON The Future of Games & Music
From adaptive soundtracks to virtual concerts, music is reshaping how we play—and feel—games. Join the panelists as they explore the evolving role of music in games as both artistic expression and industry driver. Discover how immersive audio, interactive platforms, and cross-media storytelling are shaping the future of game sound.
PANEL:
WISE x MUSICPOOL
Prompting music and beyond - Examining current developments in generative AI from musicians' perspectives
In this Music Pool community late afternoon, we want to look into current developments in generative AI technologies and their applications in music, and discuss them from the perspective of musicians. What does a current reality check look like? What changes?
One area we'd like to look into is copyright. When media become more and more interactive and fluid with generative AI, how does that change ideas of authorship and copyright? When every song is at the same time an instrument for users to build on and work with, what new organizational frameworks do we need for creative economies?
How do music platforms use generative AI? And how are technologies currently being developed, who drives developments and what interests shape them?
How are generative AI technologies being used creatively by musicians and what do they change - looking at both problems and possibilities?
May 15th, LYNK & CO
18:15 - 19:15 Startup Pitches
19:30 - 19:45 Eduardo R Miranda - Quantum Computer Music Set
Until 21:00 DJ Set by Lady Ruffelin (UK)
21:00 End
FRIDAY May 16th, Festsaal Kreuzberg
10:00-16:00
PANEL:
WISE ON Spatial Audio
PANEL:
WISE ON Artist Management & Music Export
This session will explore new artist management models, redefining traditional approaches to support careers at every stage. Experts will discuss data-driven management, leveraging insights to optimize growth, fan engagement, and strategy. Additionally, panelists will share key approaches to music export, covering smart touring, distribution, and market expansion.
PANEL:
WISE ON Investment in Music Tech & Culture
This session will explore innovative approaches to music and culture investment, focusing on funding startups that are shaping the future of the music value chain with new technologies and creative solutions.
PANEL:
WISE ON AI in Live - The IMEMS Project
This session delves into the outcomes of IMEMS (Innovation Mapping for the European Music Sector) initiative, by having two of the initiators of the project on stage.
Supported by the European Commission’s LIVEMX program. IMEMS aims to chart the landscape of AI-driven innovations in Europe’s live music and music export sectors. By identifying and analyzing AI-powered tools and services, the project seeks to address challenges in artist mobility, audience engagement, sustainability, and venue management. Join us to explore how AI is reshaping live music experiences and to discuss the opportunities and implications of these technological advancements.
OPEN FORUM & STARTUP PITCHES:
WISE ON Innovation in Live - Problems & Solutions
We are inviting voices from the live sector to take part in an interactive public forum. This is a unique opportunity to share your insights, challenges, and ideas with leading innovators in music and technology—helping to shape solutions that truly serve the live industry.
While we have presentations from leading experts and startups on stage, we’re keeping it open and dynamic, giving space for real conversations that matter. If you are a part of the live music sector (which also includes the club industry) we invite you to participate. In return for your participation, you’ll receive a free ticket for both days of WISE 2025, including access to all evening events (as long as capacity allows). Write us an email to wise@wisenotwise.com with your full name, company, position and one problem in the live music sector you would like to change.
15:00 - 16:00
GEMA x WISE Drink Reception
After an inspiring day of brilliant ideas and conversations, we wrap up WISE BY DAY with a few cold drinks, courtesy of GEMA.
Join us for a final round of networking and spark ideas for future collaborations.
From 16:00
XJAZZ Festival (extra Ticket)
18:00-22:00
HUA´S GIGANTIC HOUSE feat IVO DIMCHEV (invitation only)