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Keynote Speaker · SPIEGEL Bestselling Author · TEDx Speaker · SAP Innovation Director

The power of
childlike curiosity.

When AI takes over everything, childlike thinking becomes the most dangerous competence a human being can have.

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Christian Wehner als Keynote Speaker auf der Bühne – Auftritte u.a. bei Volkswagen, Siemens, BCG, Deloitte, ING und AXA

Volkswagen · Siemens · BCG · Deloitte · ING · AXA

"What Wehner achieves is prompting others to think about how they themselves might break out of their usual categories"

— Handelsblatt, 08 May 2025

The KIDULT Philosophy

What makes us irreplaceable in the AI age is not what we've gained.

It's what we've lost along the way. The ability to question. To wonder. To see the whole picture. Christian Wehner calls this: KIDULT.

About Me

Christian Wehner

Senior Director Innovation Strategy @ SAP | Independent Keynote Speaker | SPIEGEL Bestselling Author

Publication

Buchcover Christian Wehner

„Alles was du im Leben wissen musst, hast du schon im Kindergarten gelernt"

Keynote
Become a KIDULT
"Become a KIDULT – How to Reclaim the Skills You Lost Along the Way"

In the future, questions will matter more than answers — the competition of knowledge is over. That's why Wehner provocatively calls on his audiences: "Stop training AI to solve problems, and start teaching yourself to wonder again." His argument is as simple as it is bold: what makes us irreplaceable in the age of AI is not what we've learned throughout our careers — it's what we've lost along the way.

We've been conditioned our whole lives to add — and in doing so, we've forgotten how to ask, to connect, to see the bigger picture. This is what researchers call the "Additive Bias." Studies consistently show that both humans and LLMs overwhelmingly prefer adding over removing — even when leaving things out would be the smarter answer.

For your event, Christian Wehner brings exactly what makes moments unforgettable: scientific substance, interactive exercises, unfiltered authenticity, and a provocative core message — childlike thinking is not a nostalgic throwback. It is the most powerful capability a human being can have in the age of artificial intelligence.

Available as

15 · 30 · 45 · 60 · 90 Min.

Languages

German & English

Enquire about booking Christian as your speaker

I'd love to hear from you. Please share the key details of your event — date, expected time, venue, and topic — and I'll get back to you right away.

hello@christianwehner.com

Christian Wehner proves that career paths don't have to be linear to be remarkable.

At 37, he is Senior Director at SAP and a guest lecturer at the Brand Academy of EBS University in Oestrich-Winkel – ranked among the Top 50 Business Schools worldwide by the Financial Times. He is also a celebrated TEDx Keynote Speaker who inspires companies like Siemens and Volkswagen by helping them rediscover their capacity for innovation and creative openness through a childlike lens.

But his journey began anything but promisingly: he was expelled from school without a diploma, failed his qualifying secondary school certificate twice, and was subsequently enrolled in a programme for "hard-to-place youth." Yet time and again he has proven that a curious mind and unconventional thinking can open doors that remain closed to others.

References
Trusted by leading organisations
(selection)
Siemens
Deloitte
ING
TeamViewer
Vaillant Group
Viega
MDR
Leipziger Stadtwerke
AXA
Volkswagen
BCG
RWTH Aachen University
Europace
Coloplast
Johanniter
Testimonials
What people say about Christian

"A warm, engaging presence with an inspiring message. Highly recommended." — Benjamin Föll, Theobald Software GmbH

"A CPR for the heart and the brain!" — Johannes Büchs, Author & Host of "Die Sendung mit der Maus" | Trainer for Storytelling & Presentation

"An invitation to reclaim childlike curiosity and the courage to embrace naivety." — Tim Pollheide, Vice President of Marketing at RED BULL

"For our industry, which is in the midst of profound transformation, Mr. Wehner's perspective was a vital nudge to think about innovation not only technologically, but culturally. We are grateful that he enriched our event with his energy and light-hearted humour." — CEO, Bayerischer Bauindustrieverband e.V.

"For everyone who longs for a better tomorrow and a fresh perspective on life." — Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt, First and former Chief Innovation Evangelist @ Google | Author of "Radikal besser"

"Mr. Wehner took us on a fascinating and entertaining journey into an innovative future. His creative impulses were the perfect opener for our leadership workshop — thank you so much!" — Dagmar Grübler, RWTH Aachen

"A treasure chest with a kindergarten for grown-ups hidden inside." — Prof. Ulrich Weinberg, Founding Director School of Design Thinking at the Hasso Plattner Institut

"A great perspective shift that resonated strongly with the entire team." — Thiemo Damm, Viega

"A call to reanimate the lightness of being we've forgotten how to feel." — Dr. Amelie Schoenenwald, German Reserve Astronaut of the ESA

Media
On stage

Keynote highlights – "Become a KIDULT"

Become a KIDULT – Rediscover The Magic of Childhood Wonder | TEDxHHL

Press
In the media

SAT.1 Frühstücksfernsehen

Christian Wehner as a guest on Germany's most-watched private morning show.

Watch interview →

On the Way to New Work – Folge 500

Christian Wehner is a guest for the 500th anniversary episode with Dr. Michael Trautmann and Christoph Magnussen

Listen to podcast →

Handelsblatt Portrait

From school dropout to innovation expert

Read article →

Keynotes

Inspiring talks in German or English that challenge conventional thinking and spark transformation.

Workshops

Interactive sessions designed to unlock your team's AI-resistant superpower.

SPIEGEL Bestselling Author

As a sought-after innovation expert on radio and TV, Christian Wehner reaches audiences of millions.

Contact

Enquire about availability and fees

I look forward to hearing from you. Please share the key details of your event and I'll get back to you right away.

Legal Notice (Impressum)

Christian Wehner
Kurt-Huber-Weg 17
04299 Leipzig

Amtsgericht Leipzig
Steuernummer: 231-286-05746

E-Mail: [email protected]

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