A Hybrid Conference with Global Reach
On September 25–26, 2025, the 5th International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2025) took place at Adelphi University in New York. Under the theme “Digital Management for a Fast-Changing World”, more than 150 authors from 12 countries and 4 continents presented their research. Thanks to its hybrid format – on-site in Garden City and online via Zoom – the conference offered accessibility to academics, practitioners, and students worldwide.
From the very beginning, the breadth of topics became clear: from digital sovereignty to AI-driven organizational change and healthcare modeling with predictive algorithms. ISPC 2025 proved once again that digital transformation is not just a corporate trend, but a global phenomenon shaping society, education, and business alike.
Science Meets Practice: Keynotes and Sessions
The keynotes set the tone with forward-looking insights. Experts such as Dr. Ulrich Arnold (gkvi informatik, Germany) and Lasha Gochiashvili (Ingersoll Rand, USA) highlighted how digital innovation and AI agents can help organizations remain resilient and agile in uncertain times.
The parallel sessions on Friday covered a wide range of topics: digital governance, AI in education and public administration, smart cities, digital finance and trade, and leadership in the digital era. The combination of empirical studies, real-world case analyses, and theoretical frameworks created lively and practice-oriented discussions.
AI in E-Commerce: Talk by Prof. Dr. Darius Zumstein
A special highlight was the contribution by Prof. Dr. Darius Zumstein (FHNW, Switzerland). Together with Adele Dörner, he presented empirical findings on the adoption of AI in e-commerce. His talk, “Empirical Findings on the Fast Diffusion of AI Applications in Digital Sales and Marketing”, revealed how quickly tools like chatbots, recommendation engines, and predictive analytics are being integrated into online retail.
His conclusion was clear: AI is no longer a vision of the future. Success in digital sales depends on the speed and quality of implementation. The lively discussion afterward showed how relevant this topic is for both researchers and practitioners.
Personal Impressions and Networking
Beyond the academic program, networking played a central role. Whether in coffee breaks at Adelphi University, during shared dinners, or in virtual breakout rooms. The conference created plenty of opportunities for international exchange. Participants from Europe, the US, and Asia shared perspectives on digital transformation in their countries.
For many, the event felt like a “class trip” of the global research community. A mix of reuniting with familiar colleagues and discovering new ideas and partnerships.
Outlook and Significance
The ISPC 2025 made one thing clear: digital transformation is reality, not a trend. Both businesses and educational institutions need clear strategies to keep pace with rapid change.
The fact that the accepted papers will be published in the renowned Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics (SPBE) underlines the scientific significance and international recognition of the event.
With this strong foundation, anticipation is already high for ISPC 2026 – and the digital challenges and innovations it will spotlight.