Blake Avery
The 2025 Automotive Innovation Forum (AIF25) opened with a keynote from Raphael Gielgen, Future of Work Trendscout at Vitra, that set a reflective and energizing tone for the event: “After All, There Is No Finish Line.”
Referencing the aspirational 70s Nike ad, the keynote invited attendees to reconsider what progress means in a time of rapid change. Rather than chasing perfection or finality, the talk emphasized the value of adaptability — in people, processes, and the systems we use to collaborate and innovate.
Redefining Progress Through Adaptability
This keynote didn’t focus on announcing new tools or platforms. Instead, it invited attendees to zoom out — to reflect on what it means to design and engineer in a world where certainty is no longer guaranteed, and agility has become a strategic asset.
“We are entering an economy where products are no longer objects – but experiences.
Where markets are no longer local – but connected, fluid, and temporary. Where competitive advantage lies not in owner-ship- but in access to meaning.”
Adaptability, the central theme of AIF25, was framed not just as the ability to react, but as the capacity to reframe challenges, revisit assumptions, and continuously reshape how we work, collaborate, and lead. The speaker explored how moments of global disruption — from the pandemic to geopolitical shifts — have challenged teams to evolve faster than ever, and with more intention.
Watch the Keynote
Why Adaptability Matters
Adaptability was not presented in this keynote as a trendy concept or a feature of modern software — it was positioned as a foundational mindset for every person and organization navigating the complexities of the automotive and mobility industry. In an era marked by constant disruption, what distinguishes resilient teams isn’t just their ability to respond to change — it’s their willingness to anticipate it, learn from it, and use it as a catalyst for growth. Whether facing shifting consumer expectations, evolving regulatory landscapes, or advances in automation and electrification, adaptability is what allows teams to stay grounded while moving forward.
The keynote aligned with AIF25’s central theme by highlighting how adaptability manifests not only in technical practices but in leadership, culture, and collaboration. It pointed toward a broader industry realization: success now depends less on executing a perfect plan and more on having the agility to adjust, revise, and co-create in real time. From supply chain realignments to the demands of virtual collaboration, adaptability has become a strategic capability — not just to endure volatility, but to thrive within it.
A Moment to Reflect
Rather than introducing products or showcasing technologies, the AIF25 keynote offered a thematic starting point for the two-day forum. It acknowledged how much the automotive and design landscape has shifted in recent years — from the global pandemic and supply chain challenges to changing workforce dynamics and digital transformation.
The session served as a reset: not to look back with nostalgia, but to look forward with purpose. The message was clear — we are not in a race to a finish line. We are in a period of continuous movement, where change is the new constant, and adaptability is the necessary response.
Closing Thoughts
“After All, There Is No Finish Line” challenged AIF25 attendees to let go of fixed endpoints and instead embrace continuous transformation. As the industry moves forward — toward electrification, automation, and smarter user experiences — it’s not the fastest who will thrive, but the most adaptable.
More to Come
Next week we will be sharing the Design Studio Keynote from AIF25, followed by customer sessions, and technical deep dives from Autodesk experts.
And soon all of these sessions plus presentations from the AIF25 Digital Factory track will be available for streaming. Details will follow in future blog posts and on LinkedIn.
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