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Menschen als Netzezahler | Europa als Netz 1. The Hidden Cost Avalanche of AI Data centers are booming across Europe, causing massive grid expansion costs—often borne by private households. Time to raise awareness. 2. How Grid Costs Work in the EU ACER guidelines  require that grid usage be “cost-reflective, transparent, and non-discriminatory” [ ACER: MW-/time-based tariffs Best Practice ] . Structure:  Connection fee + usage + capacity share (€/kW). Best-practice countries:  Estonia, France, Croatia use performance-based, forward-looking tariff models—most EU countries still rely on average cost models. 3. Benchmarks from the US – What's Happening There? Ohio:  Data centers must now pay 85% of their projected grid load  in advance—between the previous 90% proposal and an initial 60% [ Washington Post - Ohio data centers must pay 85 % upfront ] . A 500 MW center faces around $40 million annually  in minimum fixed costs. Providers demand creditworthiness, exit fees, and 4–12-year commitments. Scale:  US utilities applied for grid tariff increases of $29 billion  in H1/2025—a 142% rise over H1/2024. Quote : "Citizens should never be asked to financially subsidize the largest companies in the world.“ – Carrie Killingsworth, resident of Hilliard, Ohio, at a public hearing. 4. EU-Data & Country Benchmarks Data center consumption in the EU-27:   45–65 TWh  in 2022 ( 1.8–2.6%  of all electricity used). Ireland: 18–21%  (2022–23), more than all private homes [ JRC: 45–65 TWh / 1,8–2,6 %] . Netherlands: 5.2% Luxembourg: 4.8% Denmark: 4.5% Germany: 3% In Ireland, the share rose from 5% (2015) to 21% (2023)—a fourfold increase in 8 years. Tariffs:  Most EU countries use average tariffs; only about six have true capacity or performance-based tariffs. [ ACER: MW-/Time tariffs Best Practice ] . 5. Future Trend – AI-Driven Grid Expansion Global data center demand  rises from 415 TWh (2024)  to 945 TWh (2030) —more than Japan's total electricity use. Globaler Stromverbrauch von Data‑Centern 2020–2030 (IEA Base‑Case, CC BY 4.0). Quelle: [ IEA ‘Energy & AI’ Report ] . Annual growth:  About 15% per year, driven by AI (30%/yr for AI-optimized servers). Regional growth by 2030: USA: +240 TWh (+130%) China: +175 TWh (+170%) Europe: +45 TWh (+70%) 6. Why This Is a Social Justice Issue Households and SMEs  are the losers—fixed grid costs rise, even if their consumption stays the same. Cross-subsidization:  Without structured tariffs, citizens face higher fees even if they do not benefit from the AI boom. Social tariffs:  Revenues from minimum load requirements (80–90%) could be used for energy funds or rebates for lower-income households. 7. Recommendations – How the EU Can Respond 7.1. Regulation Introduce minimum load tariffs  (like Ohio’s 80–90%), ensuring data centers fully cover infrastructure costs. Gross, not net, tariffs:  Co-location must not hide real grid usage. Performance/time-based tariffs:  Implement fair cost allocation—France, Estonia, Croatia are leading. [ ACER: MW-/Time tariffs Best Practice ] . 7.2. Transparency & Control Publish all grid usage contracts —no more closed-door deals. Mandatory cost-benefit analyses  (CBAs) including infrastructure, climate, and social impacts. Community involvement:  Public hearings for major data center approvals. 7.3. Social Compensation Regional energy funds:  Use hyperscaler tariffs to subsidize low-income households. Dynamic social tariff models:  E.g., rebates for households under 60% of the median income. Regional AI upskilling:  Finance digital training from grid usage revenues, so more people benefit from the AI transformation. 8. Further Reading & Links Thema Quelle Link Ohio: 85% minimum load Washington Post [Ohio data centers must pay 85 % upfront] EU data center consumption 2022 JRC‑Report [JRC: 45–65 TWh / 1,8–2,6 %] ACER: MW-/time-based tariffs ACER [ ACER: MW-/Zeittarife Best Practice ] IEA growth scenario to 2030 IEA Energy & AI Report [ Energy demand from AI] 9. Join the Conversation! How do you experience the data center boom in your region? Are social or economic aspects considered enough? Comment below or contact me directly! heiko@boehmconsulting.biz !

Introduction: Quantum computing is progressing rapidly. For regulated industries such as banking, insurance, energy, healthcare, military, and intelligence services, this means preparing today for a security standard that will hold tomorrow. But what does that mean in practice – and how can CISOs keep pace with technological change? 1. Why regulated sectors are especially at risk Regulators demand decades-long data integrity  (e.g., MaRisk, HIPAA, GDPR, Bafin-KAIS). The "Harvest now, decrypt later" threat is rising: data stolen today may be decrypted within 5–10 years. High-risk sectors include: Banking and insurance Energy and healthcare Government and judiciary Military organizations Security and intelligence agencies These institutions handle highly sensitive information – a breach could have massive geopolitical, economic, or societal consequences . 2. The CISO perspective: Why the urgency? Traditional cryptography (RSA, ECC) will likely be broken by Shor's algorithm . CISOs must develop strategic cryptography roadmaps  to adopt PQ algorithms in time. Risk assessments  should explicitly account for PQ threats – especially for "high-value assets". 3. Hybrid KEM as a practical path forward NetApp demonstrates how Hybrid Key Encapsulation Mechanisms (KEM)  can enable crypto agility now: Combines classical and post-quantum encryption Backward compatibility with existing IT infrastructures Protection at the storage layer = last line of defense 4. Regulatory and business advantages Compliance : Proves use of "state-of-the-art" security measures. Trust building : Clients and investors see post-quantum readiness as future-oriented. Long-term ROI : Once implemented, PQ solutions ensure the integrity of long-term data storage. Conclusion: For CISOs in regulated industries, post-quantum security is not optional – it’s a must. Solutions like Hybrid KEM offer a feasible, standards-aligned, and audit-ready entry point into a secure future.

Introduction: Quantum computing will disrupt traditional cryptography. RSA and ECC may soon be broken by quantum algorithms like Shor’s. NetApp is one of the first companies to implement post-quantum secure storage – using a Hybrid Key Encapsulation Mechanism (Hybrid KEM). But how does it actually work? 1. Why classical encryption is no longer enough Classical methods rely on mathematical problems (e.g., factoring, elliptic curves) that quantum computers can solve efficiently. Threat: Data stolen today may be decrypted tomorrow (“Harvest now, decrypt later”). 2. What is a Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM)? A KEM securely transmits a symmetric encryption key using public-key cryptography. Commonly used in TLS, VPNs, and storage security. 3. What is a Hybrid KEM? Combines classical  and post-quantum  key exchange algorithms. Example: The AES session key is encrypted using both RSA and CRYSTALS-Kyber (PQ algorithm). Decryption requires both keys – breaking only one is not enough. 4. Why it’s secure – now and in the future Even if classical crypto is broken by quantum, the PQ key remains. Hybrid KEM ensures backward compatibility and future resilience. 5. How NetApp implements this NetApp ONTAP already includes Hybrid KEM encryption for storage. This protects data-at-rest against quantum-era threats. Conclusion: Hybrid KEM is a practical and forward-looking solution for post-quantum resilience. For industries with strict compliance and long-term data retention, this is not just an option – it’s a necessity.

GenAI in Engineering The world of engineering is undergoing a paradigm shift. While many companies are still figuring out how to integrate generative AI into their processes, Siemens takes a different approach: it's not about the tools — it's about the mindset. A recent post by Siemens on LinkedIn ( Link to the article ) illustrates how GenAI is no longer limited to generating images, text, or code. It is now actively reshaping the way engineering is conceived. This blog post is inspired by that article. GenAI isn't just another utility — it's a new kind of cognitive partnership between human and machine. From Building to Prompting Traditional engineering follows the pattern: specify – build – test. With GenAI, this shifts to: prompt – co-create – validate. Engineers are no longer limited to code and CAD; they interact through natural language, sketches, or context-rich data that GenAI systems interpret and translate into technical artifacts. Siemens is embracing this shift in its Xcelerator platform, integrated with Azure AI and OpenAI technology. Notably, this is not about automating existing workflows — it's about opening new dimensions of thought and development. Engineering Becomes Multimodal What used to be distinct disciplines — mechanical design, electronics, software modeling — are now converging through multimodal GenAI. Text-to-code, sketch-to-test, requirements-to-simulation: all are becoming possible — if the mindset is right. This transformation demands new skills: prompt engineering, systems thinking, and above all, critical evaluation of AI output. No matter how advanced the tech becomes, responsibility for safety and functionality remains with the human expert. A Nod to RAG Systems? While Siemens does not disclose technical specifics, the structured access to proprietary engineering knowledge (e.g., specifications, models, test data) suggests the use of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). This architecture combines LLMs with domain-specific databases — a potential key to embedding expertise in regulated, safety-critical environments. My Takeaway Engineering with GenAI is not a toolchain issue — it's a leadership challenge. Organizations that empower their teams not just with new tools, but with a new mindset, will accelerate innovation cycles and better handle complex systems. Siemens demonstrates: GenAI is more than hype and fancy visuals. When implemented thoughtfully, it becomes a catalyst for a new engineering culture — one that embraces embedded AI partnerships within tools to systematically enhance human expertise. Open question to readers: What mindset does your team need to apply GenAI productively and responsibly?

Inspired by Prof. Dr. Yasmin Weiß’s recent LinkedIn article   “The good, the bad & the ugly side of working with AI” , I’d like to share my personal take on the opportunities and challenges of generative AI — especially for professionals in leadership, sales and business development. 🧠 AI is here to stay — but it’s not the pilot. Yasmin Weiß put it well: AI is neither a savior nor a threat. It’s a tool — a powerful copilot , but not the autopilot . That means we, as humans, must remain firmly in control. Our uniquely human capabilities — creativity, empathy, judgment, writing, critical thinking — must not atrophy. Just like in any partnership, our collaboration with AI requires dialogue, constructive feedback, and accountability . The future belongs to those who ask smart questions — not just those who accept fast answers. 🤖 Generative AI is not good or evil — it’s a mirror. Today’s generative AI isn’t inherently good or bad — it reflects the data it was trained on. And its memory, known as the "context window", is still far smaller than the human brain’s.Still, the decisions it makes — or helps us make — are already shaping how we work, learn, and lead. That’s why we must remember: “Don’t become Evil”  applies to both organizations and the systems they create. Ethics, responsibility and human oversight must be central to any AI strategy. 🚀 I look forward to the future — with a critical eye. I’m excited about the potential of AI to help us work smarter, more precisely — and perhaps even more humanely.But that requires thoughtful leadership, continuous learning, and a clear stance: Know your copilots. Stay in control. 📌 Source: Prof. Dr. Yasmin Weiß on LinkedIn

This article builds on my recent LinkedIn post about the OpenAI + Humane acquisition. If you're building around AI and productizing interface layers, this one’s for you. Where the News Came From: OpenAI + Humane Last week, news broke that OpenAI will acquire the team behind Humane AI , creators of the much-discussed AI Pin  wearable. The twist? Humane will remain an independent subsidiary . At first glance, it looks like a classic "acquihire." But it’s more than that. It’s a directional signal. In short:🔹 OpenAI is not just building intelligence—it's thinking deeply about how that intelligence is accessed. Humane has been one of the boldest players in reimagining how we interact  with AI: not via screens, but as a persistent companion —contextual, ambient, always on. Why This Is Remarkable Three reasons stand out: 1. A long-game bet on human-device-AI convergence Altman has personally invested in Humane before. Now OpenAI is betting company resources on this next layer— AI as interface, not app . 2. Independence matters Keeping Humane separate allows both brands to explore without constraint. Humane can innovate on form factor and user experience. OpenAI provides the foundation. 3. It validates the post-app, post-keyboard world We're entering a time where typing is optional. AI is voice, gesture, presence. Humane’s Pin and OpenAI’s APIs are perfect complements. What This Means for Startups Startups are uniquely positioned to capitalize on this shift—if they look beyond the obvious. 💡 Here are 3 angles to explore: 1. Micro-UX for macro-impact There will be hundreds of micro-use-cases where wearables can augment human decision-making, productivity, wellness, or focus. Think AI-powered nudges, not dashboards. 2. API-first creativity OpenAI’s APIs are accessible, powerful, and getting smarter. Founders can now abstract away complexity  and focus on solving problems at the interface level. 3. New B2B frontiers Voice-first CRM workflows. AI-driven field ops. Ambient support agents for compliance teams. The Pin may be consumer today—but enterprise tomorrow. 4. Let’s Talk If you’re a founder, investor, or just AI-curious: I’d love to hear how you interpret this moment. Is this the beginning of a new interface era? How will your product change if interaction becomes persistent, context-aware, and voice-driven? 👉 Reach out via heiko@boehmconsulting.biz  or message me directly. Let’s think beyond the prompt window.

Date:  May 23, 2025 Author:  Heiko Boehm Google I/O 2025 – AI, AI, and More AI This year’s Google I/O took place on May 20–21 and was nothing short of a showcase for Google’s AI ambitions. The message is clear: Google isn’t just participating in the AI race – it’s stepping on the gas. 🚀 Top Highlights at a Glance 🧠 Gemini Everywhere Google has dramatically expanded its AI portfolio: Gemini 2.5 Pro  and Gemini Flash : High-performance models with enhanced capabilities. Gemini Live : Real-time interactions, translations, screen sharing – your personal AI co-pilot. Deep integration into Android Auto, Google TV, Wear OS , and the new Android XR platform . 🔍 AI-Powered Search AI Mode : A conversational, chatbot-like search experience. Deep Search : Merges personal data from Gmail, Drive, and Calendar for tailored, contextual results. All powered by the new Gemini 2.5 model – redefining how we search. 🎬 Veo 3 – AI-Generated Videos Generates realistic videos with AI-written dialogue, soundtracks, and effects. Part of the Google AI Ultra  subscription for $249/month – directly competing with OpenAI’s Sora. 🕶️ Android XR – Smart Glasses for the AI Age AR overlays, object recognition, and navigation with visible arrows. The glasses remember what you’ve seen – your visual memory assistant. Requires a smartphone connection, for now. ⚠️ Product Confusion Ahead? Names like "Gemini Live", "Search Live", and "Google Lens" sound too similar. Product boundaries are blurred, leaving users overwhelmed and unsure. 🧩 Final Thoughts Google has made its move: AI is now core to every product. Despite the naming chaos, the innovations speak volumes. The 2025 I/O wasn’t just about shiny tech – it was a bold declaration: “We’re not catching up. We’re leading.” 👉 Curious how this could impact your business? Let’s talk. Reach out at heiko@boehmconsulting.biz

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, recently predicted that traditional Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions could soon disappear, replaced by so-called “agents”. Companies such as Salesforce are also investing heavily in the development of such agents. Google is also one of the leading providers of AI technologies and has already launched several agents on the market, including Duet AI and Bard. Google sees great potential in agents for the future of work and is investing heavily in the development of these technologies. But why exactly is there so much hype - and what does this mean for the future of the software industry? 1. Why the hype about agents? Agents promise to radically simplify the interaction between users and software. Instead of cumbersome clicks through complex dashboards and menus, users will in future interact intuitively using natural language and AI-supported assistance systems. The hype arises because agents not only speed up processes, but also offer enormous productivity gains by relieving users of repetitive and time-consuming tasks. The expectation is that agents will enable a new level of efficiency and personalization that classic SaaS applications can hardly achieve. 2. What are agents? Agents are intelligent systems based on artificial intelligence that autonomously perform tasks or initiate processes and access data from various sources. They understand context and intent and interact with users in a natural way, for example via chatbots or voice control. In contrast to traditional SaaS applications, agents work proactively, react to changes in real time and enable a seamless, contextual user experience. Examples include Microsoft Copilot, Salesforce Einstein GPT or the Google Duet AI Assistant. These agents analyze data, recognize patterns, answer questions and make decisions independently, which could replace previous SaaS solutions. 3. Why will SaaS disappear because of agents? SaaS could disappear because agents are increasingly making traditional applications superfluous. Currently, users usually have to operate several different SaaS tools in order to map complex workflows. Agents, on the other hand, integrate seamlessly into workflows, bundle a wide variety of software services in the background and thus drastically reduce the workload for users. The future therefore belongs to platforms that perform tasks flexibly, data-driven and intelligently, without users having to explicitly switch between several SaaS solutions. Companies that do not take this step could be left behind in just a few years, as users increasingly expect personalized, intuitive and seamless experiences that only agents can provide. 4. Further materials on agents and how to get started Um tiefer in das Thema einzusteigen, bieten sich folgende Ressourcen an: "The Age of AI Agents" – Satya Nadella's Vision Salesforce Einstein GPT Dokumentation: Einstein GPT Einführung in Google Duet AI: Duet AI by Google „Why AI Agents are the Future of Work“ – Artikel von TechCrunch The best way to get started is through hands-on experience: many providers offer trial versions or demos to familiarize yourself with the functionalities of the agents and gain your own initial experience. Overall, developments clearly indicate that agents are not just a short-term trend, but will fundamentally change the use of software in the long term and set new standards. Companies that invest in the use and development of agents in good time will secure decisive competitive advantages and prevent themselves from being technologically overtaken in a few years' time. Taking action now is crucial in order to fully exploit the opportunities offered by the next generation of intelligent software solutions.

in Welcome to Böhm Consulting Your partner for strategic sales consulting and digitalization In a rapidly changing business world, companies face the challenge of continuously evolving and digitizing their processes. This is precisely where Böhm Consulting comes in: with customized solutions tailored to your specific requirements and goals. Our team supports companies in optimizing their sales strategies, leveraging digital tools efficiently, and thus achieving sustained, successful customer acquisition and retention. We place particular emphasis on practical approaches that enable direct implementation and measurable results. Why Böhm Consulting? Experience and expertise – Our consultants bring comprehensive knowledge in the areas of SalesOps and digitalization strategies. Individual solutions – We develop tailor-made concepts that are optimally tailored to your company structure and goals. Sustainable implementation – Our goal is to enable you not only to achieve short-term success, but also to achieve long-term successful sales processes. Our focus Sales optimization and control : Increasing efficiency and effectiveness through targeted measures and the use of modern tools. Digitalization in sales : Transformation and automation to support your sales activities. Strategic consulting for long-term success : Development of sustainable strategies to strengthen your market position and tap into new potential. Let us write your success story together Whether you're just beginning your digital transformation or looking to further develop your sales strategy, Böhm Consulting is the right partner for you. We look forward to supporting you on your path to success and working with you to develop customized solutions for your challenges. Contact us to learn more about how we can support you!

In a world where artificial intelligence has long since become a game changer, it's no longer enough to rely on a single tool. Those who want to gain real competitive advantages today build a multi-person AI team—an orchestra of specialized AI systems that together achieve more than any one alone. At Boehm Consulting, we take a pragmatic approach: combining the right AI partners for each business case. Our dream team lineup: ChatGPT: The power player for high-quality content. When it comes to quickly delivering excellent texts, creative ideas, or analytical summaries, ChatGPT fully demonstrates its strengths – efficient, precise, and convincing. Gemini: The creative soul of the team. Gemini brings a fresh, almost artistic perspective to content, helps transform dry facts into sexy storytelling, and elevates marketing and communications projects to a new aesthetic level. Claude: The quiet thinker. Claude often provides surprisingly nuanced, reflective perspectives and is ideally suited for tasks where a "different perspective" adds real value—for example, in strategy development, ethical considerations, or complex decision-making. Why a multi-AI approach? Better results: Each tool brings its own individual strengths. Flexibility: Different use cases require different skills. Innovation: The diversity of perspectives often leads to completely new approaches to solutions. And this is how we work at Boehm Consulting: Whether in sales enablement , AI use case identification, or business development , we don't think of AI in a one-dimensional way; we orchestrate it. The goal: value creation and a competitive edge for our customers in an increasingly digitalized world. 👉 Fancy a deep dive? In our AI Use Case Finding Workshop, we will work together to find out how your company can build and successfully deploy its own customized AI team.