Holtzbrinck Innovation Days 2025: How to create tangible impact with AI
How do we create tangible impact with AI? This question was at the heart of the Holtzbrinck Innovation Days 2025. Over 140 colleagues from across the Holtzbrinck group came together in early October to explore how technology, creativity, and responsibility can work hand in hand across science, education, and media.
Innovation that makes a difference
Participants explored how AI is already being used across the group and where untapped potential still lies. The focus was on real-world experiences, open discussions, and mutual learning.
A highlight of the event was the keynote by Raia Hadsell from Google DeepMind on “The AI breakthroughs we’ve overlooked.”
Perspectives from across the group
Across multiple formats and collaborative sessions, teams shared how AI projects and initiatives are already being implemented within the Holtzbrinck group.
In the panel “AI in Action: Real Voices”, colleagues from different companies shared how they use AI in their daily work – and spoke about their experiences, challenges, and successes.
During the AI Showcases, teams presented their projects in an open exhibition. Through short presentations and informal conversations, participants gained insights, exchanged feedback, and discovered new ideas to apply in their own work.
The Campfire Sessions then offered space for deeper discussions on topics such as AI fact-checking, upskilling initiatives, and the future of software development.
Finally, the CEO Panel focused on questions of responsibility and long-term innovation culture – with the shared goal of using technology deliberately to improve access to knowledge.
Progress through collaboration
By the end of the two days, one thing was clear: progress happens when knowledge is shared, perspectives are connected, and new paths are explored together.
The Holtzbrinck Innovation Days 2025 demonstrated how our teams are already leveraging the vast potential of AI across our businesses – and actively exploring new applications – while reaffirming the essential role of human creativity and collaboration in driving meaningful, lasting impact.
Find out more about innovation and collaboration at Holtzbrinck at www.holtzbrinck.com.
Holtzbrinck Welcomes Three New Software Campus PhD Students
A Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration
We are pleased to announce the commencement of three new PhD students that collaborate with us on innovative projects as part of the Software Campus Program. These collaborations align with our commitment to innovation and advancing technology in finding and publishing research, in education, and publishing.
About the Software Campus Program
The Software Campus is a qualification program designed to foster leadership skills among doctoral students in computer science and related fields. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the program offers participants the opportunity to lead their own IT research projects in collaboration with industry partners. Over a period of one to two years, participants not only conduct cutting-edge research but also receive training in management and leadership, preparing them for future roles in academia or industry.
Learn more at holtzbrinck-careers.com
Holtzbrinck Publishing Group's Role as an Industry Leader
As one of the world's leading publishing and media groups, the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group encompasses a diverse portfolio, including scientific publications (Springer Nature), educational offerings (Macmillan Learning), and popular publishers (Macmillan Publishers). Our commitment to innovation is evident through our focus on digital advancements in science, education, and content delivery. By partnering with the Software Campus, we aim to nurture emerging talent and drive technological progress within the publishing industry.
Find out more at softwarecampus.de
Introducing Our New PhD Students and Their Projects
This year, we are delighted to welcome three exceptional PhD students who will embark on research projects in collaboration with the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group:
Shuzhou – Technische Universität Dresden
Project: LLM4Edu: Learning Large Language Models on Graphs for Education
Shuzhou's research focuses on developing large language models (LLMs) that leverage graph-based learning to enhance educational applications. By integrating graph structures with LLMs, the project aims to create more contextual and interconnected educational content, facilitating better comprehension and personalized learning experiences for students.
Neha – Technische Universität Berlin
Project: Automated Evaluation of LLM-Generated Summaries of German Text: Harnessing Text Classification Models, Knowledge Graphs, and Large Language
Models Neha's project addresses the challenge of evaluating summaries generated by large language models, specifically for German texts. By combining text classification models, knowledge graphs, and LLMs, the research aims to develop automated methods to assess the quality and accuracy of machine-generated summaries, ensuring they meet the standards required for educational and publishing purposes.
Alexander – Technische Universität München
Project: Know-ELViS: Knowledge Enhanced Language Processing and Verification in Science-Related Applications
Alexander’s project centers on enhancing language processing techniques for scientific applications. By incorporating knowledge verification mechanisms, the research aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated scientific content, addressing the critical need for trustworthiness in academic publishing.
Holtzbrinck's Commitment to Innovation and Collaboration
Our participation in the Software Campus program underscores Holtzbrinck Publishing Group's dedication to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of leaders in technology and publishing. By collaborating with these talented PhD students and their respective institutions, we aim to drive advancements that will shape the future of education and media. We look forward to the insights and developments that will emerge from these collaborations and remain committed to integrating cutting-edge research into our practices, ensuring we continue to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Holtzbrinck Launches San Francisco AI Hub to Accelerate Innovation in Science, Education, and Media
Holtzbrinck opens the AI Hub in San Francisco, a hands-on innovation space where bold ideas in science, education, and media will be tested, scaled, and put into action.
The AI Hub is built for impact. It will connect Holtzbrinck’s global network of researchers, publishers, and educators with Silicon Valley startups, technologists, and investors, creating a powerful bridge between Europe and the U.S., one designed to turn collaboration into momentum, helping ideas scale faster and reach further.
"At Holtzbrinck, we don’t just watch AI transform science, education, and media. We shape that future responsibly," said Katharina Neubert, SVP Strategy & Investments and Managing Director of the AI Hub. "Through the AI Hub, we will deepen our ties with the Silicon Valley ecosystem and unlock new business opportunities."
What makes the Holtzbrinck AI Hub distinct is its focus on scalable innovation, backed by deep expertise across science, education, and media. With trusted brands and deep domain expertise, Holtzbrinck offers an unrivaled testbed for building and validating AI solutions. Embedded residencies, curated events, and early product feedback loops will provide entrepreneurs within and outside of Holtzbrinck with the tools to transition from idea to impact.
The AI Hub will also serve as a radar for investment, scouting promising startups, identifying emerging trends, and sharing early insights across Holtzbrinck’s global ecosystem. By focusing on practical innovation, it aims to deliver AI solutions that drive meaningful impact in science, education, and media worldwide.
For partnerships, media inquiries, and further information, please contact aihub@holtzbrinck.com
Digital Science Powers the Next Era of Scientific Discovery
Empowering Researchers with AI-Driven Tools
Digital Science, a leading AI-focused technology company, continues to transform the global research landscape through innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, collaboration, and integrity across the research lifecycle. With the recent integration of AI-powered summarization into its Dimensions web application, researchers can now swiftly identify relevant content, enabling quicker insights and decision-making. Additionally, the launch of Papers Pro, an advanced version of its renowned reference manager, further streamlines research discovery and engagement with scholarly articles.
Fostering Research Integrity and Open Science
Ensuring the trustworthiness of scientific endeavors, Digital Science awarded Catalyst Grants to pioneering teams developing technology to safeguard research integrity. The most recent grant winners are working on advanced dashboards that identify retracted or questionable research papers, enhancing the reliability of scientific literature. These efforts align with Digital Science’s mission to uphold the highest standards in scholarly research. Additionally, with the launch of the Catalyst Grant program, Digital Science reinforces its commitment to promoting transparency, accessibility, and collaboration in scientific research.
Advancing Global Innovation
Through strategic investments and cutting-edge technologies, Digital Science plays a crucial role in tackling complex challenges faced by researchers, universities, funders, and publishers. By leveraging AI, data analytics, and open research solutions, the company continues to accelerate scientific discovery and drive meaningful global advancements.
Stay Informed
For more updates on Digital Science and its impact on research innovation, visit the Digital Science website.
Macmillan Learning: Where Learning meets Innovation
Inspiring What’s Possible in a Digital-First World
Macmillan Learning is transforming education with digital-first platforms built on research and responsible AI. These solutions are driving student success by sparking curiosity, building confidence, and supporting the whole student experience, wherever and however learning takes place.
Macmillan Learning has long believed in the power of education to open doors. For decades, the company has partnered with educators to deliver trusted content that supports student success. Its mission, inspiring what’s possible for every learner, guides every tool, partnership, and solution.
From its publishing roots, Macmillan Learning has transformed to a digital-first, student-centered company. Its platforms, including Achieve and iClicker, are grounded in research, informed by millions of student interactions, and tested in real classrooms. They are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students persist when learning gets hard.
Artificial intelligence is central to this evolution. Macmillan Learning’s AI Tutor, built on pedagogy and data, uses Socratic questioning to strengthen skills and boost outcomes. AI is treated as a collaborator, not a replacement, with guardrails to ensure tools remain human-centered.
Macmillan Learning’s new identity reflects this belief: that learning is dynamic, expansive, and deeply human. Because when learners grow, the world grows with them.
Macmillan Celebrates Wins at the 2024 US National Book Awards
Recognizing Excellence in Literature
Macmillan Publishers is proud to celebrate its outstanding achievements at the 75th National Book Awards, held in New York City on November 20, 2024. This prestigious event honors the finest literary works of the year, and Macmillan's authors have been recognized for their impactful contributions to the world of literature.
Award-Winning and Nominated Titles
In the Nonfiction category, Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church by Eliza Griswold, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, was named a finalist. This thought-provoking work delves into faith, power dynamics, and the pursuit of justice, resonating deeply with readers and critics alike. In the Young People’s Literature category, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza, published by Henry Holt and Company, also received finalist recognition. This imaginative and heartfelt novel has captured the attention of young readers, highlighting Macmillan's dedication to publishing diverse and engaging stories for all audiences.
Continuing a Legacy of Literary Excellence
These accolades reinforce Macmillan’s commitment to fostering exceptional storytelling and amplifying voices that inspire, challenge, and enlighten. With a long-standing tradition of publishing critically acclaimed works, Macmillan remains at the forefront of the publishing world, bringing powerful narratives to readers globally.
Stay Updated
For more information on Macmillan Publishers, please visit Macmillan.
ABOUT US
Winning hearts.
Shaping ideas.
Find out what we stand for, the impact we make, and the story behind our success.
Blinera
Helping people thrive every day
Ebruba
Unlocking stories in London
OUR PEOPLE
Bold minds
driven by purpose.
See how people across our group are inspiring progress through their curiosity, commitment, and passion.
OUR GROUP
We are global.
With a shared vision.
The companies in our group
- immensely exciting and unique.
Check out what they’re up to.
Maja
Broadcasting new ideas to the world
CAREERS
Join us
and shape what's next.
If you’re driven by curiosity and want to make a real difference, then we want to hear from you.