The interactive format originated at CityLAB Berlin—Berlin’s public innovation lab, operated by the Technologiestiftung Berlin. There, the so-called “idea cubes” have been used for several years to open up new perspectives on urban and digitalization topics in a playful way. As part of the “Stadtlabor2Go” project, the format was further developed technologically. In the future, it will also be used in Wiesbaden and adapted to the local context. 

Specifically, the AI cubes consist of three sensor-equipped cubes. With each roll, new combinations of urban themes, digital technologies, and various target groups emerge. With the help of AI, the combination ultimately yields a visionary idea for the city’s future and serves as a starting point for discussions and ideas about possible smart solutions to urban challenges. The cubes thus offer a particularly low-threshold introduction to artificial intelligence and invite people to engage with smart future topics without any prior knowledge. 

Maral Koohestanian, Head of the Department for Smart City, Europe, and Public Order, says: “Artificial intelligence is often perceived as complicated or abstract. With the AI dice, we’re deliberately making it accessible in a low-threshold way at the Zukunftswerk. Anyone who rolls the dice can engage in a playful conversation about smart solutions for our city. That’s exactly what we’re aiming for: opening up new perspectives and jointly developing ideas for a livable Wiesbaden.” 

The Berlin Technology Foundation also views the adoption of this format positively: “We’ve had very good experiences with the idea dice at the Kiezlabor Berlin. Our team is now very pleased that the format has finally reached product maturity, allowing other cities like Wiesbaden to use these technological innovations to create new perspectives on urban challenges,” said Julia Zimmermann, Head of Digital Services. 

The “Stadtlabor2Go” project is being implemented jointly by the State Capital of Wiesbaden and the City of Mönchengladbach, with support from the CityLAB of the Berlin Technology Foundation. The goal is to transfer and further develop successful participatory and innovation formats from existing city labs to other cities. 

The AI cubes will be used for the first time at the Spring Market on March 24, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the former SportScheck building. Afterward, the cubes will be available for testing on a regular basis at the Zukunftswerk. 

The Zukunftswerk is located in the Luisenforum (2nd floor by the bridge, Kirchgasse 6, 65185 Wiesbaden) and is open Monday through Friday.