Innovation does not simply happen – it requires change, perseverance and people who push ideas forward despite hurdles. In this talk, we reveal how BER delivers real digital innovations to the business while also navigating the often-overlooked struggles: from adoption battles and missing skills to data literacy challenges and inflated expectations around AI. With stories ranging from ready-for-boarding successes to projects stuck on block, we show the hot topics and pitfalls. And most importantly: why tearing down barriers is not just our job but our passion.

• Innovation means friction – true progress needs persistence, motivation and courage to overcome organizational resistance
• Adoption is the bumpiest runway – launching a solution often requires more energy than building it
• Data and AI need realism – data maturity is uneven, and not every challenge requires AI; expectations must be balanced with real capabilities
• Barriers are part of the game – from missing skills to unclear requirements, innovation thrives when teams actively break down obstacles together