On June 28, 2025, the Einstein Center Digital Future once again opened its doors for the Long Night of the Science (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften, LNDW) – and this time for a special occasion: the LNDW celebrated its 25th anniversary. From 5 PM to midnight, visitors at the Robert Koch Forum had the opportunity to explore the diversity of digitalization research, engage in conversations with scientists, and participate in interactive exhibits.
A key focus, once again, was on making complex research accessible and tangible. Projects like “Velvet Values” demonstrated how AI and traditional craftsmanship can merge: participants were invited to touch a velvet fabric embedded with conductive fibers that reacted to interaction, making the weaving process physically experienceable. Several projects addressed the digital transformation in healthcare: the team behind HEALTH-X dataLOFT presented a data wallet app that allows citizens to manage and share their health data – all while adhering to the highest privacy standards. Complementing this, the project Cognitive Algorithm Labs showcased how health data can be anonymized using generative AI methods, preserving scientific utility while protecting personal privacy. ‘With our projects at LNDW, we aim to show that the data economy in healthcare is already a reality – and that health data is both valuable and essential for ongoing research", Prof. Martin Gersch, Co-Chair of the ECDF's Board of Directors explains.
A crowd favorite, as in previous years, was the Quantum Escape Room: in a simulated research lab, visitors worked in small groups to uncover clues and activate a quantum computer – learning through play about the potential of quantum technologies. “Our goal at ECDF is to spark enthusiasm for quantum physics and to show that physics is exciting and accessible. Everyone can grasp the fundamentals. There are many promising applications, and physics will continue to open doors to technologies we can’t yet imagine,” said Jannik Wolters, ECDF Professor of Physical Foundations of IT Security, about the escape room and his research.
The Long Night of the Sciences 2025 once again demonstrated the public’s strong interest in research that is accessible, relevant, and grounded in everyday life. The ECDF positions itself as a bridge between science, urban society, and politics, and its interdisciplinary projects highlight a key message: Digital technologies are not an end in themselves – they are tools for tackling the most pressing challenges of our time.