The 12th Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT 2024) took place in the Kursaal Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt for the first time. The conference brought together around two hundred experts from all over the world to discuss the latest developments and applications in laser technology. The event offered a wide range of presentations and discussions on various laser technology topics. Both current research results and industrial applications were presented. The focus was particularly on topics such as artificial intelligence in production and advances in quantum technology.

Over the three days of the conference, numerous renowned speakers presented their work and findings, including the following plenary speakers:

- Jens Anders from the Institute for Intelligent Sensors, University of Stuttgart, spoke about the miniaturization and industrialization of quantum sensors.
- Michael Förtsch from Qant, Stuttgart, spoke about photonic quantum technologies.
- Benno Willke from the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics and Leibniz Universität Hannover presented highly stabilized lasers for the search for gravitational waves and dark matter.
- Eric Mottay from Amplitude, Pessac, France, and H-Nu, Bordeaux, France, discussed high-power laser processing with kilowatt femtosecond lasers.
- Andreas Michalowski from the IFSW at the University of Stuttgart spoke about AI-supported flexible laser production.
- Christian Daniel from Robert Bosch, Renningen, presented the industrial applications of AI at Bosch.

Two parallel sessions were held during the conference, covering different aspects of laser technology:
- Laser sources and beam shaping
- Laser processing for e-mobility
- Fiber optic beam delivery
- Laser processing for quantum technologies
- Machine learning in manufacturing
- Additive manufacturing and micromachining

Nine conference contributions were submitted by the presenters for a special section of PhotonicsViews issue June/July/August 2024.

The social program included a visit to the Gottlieb Daimler Memorial and a conference dinner in the ‘Kleiner Kursaal’. There was also a guided tour of the IFSW laboratories on the Vaihingen campus of the University of Stuttgart.

The SLT 2024 was once again an excellent platform for dialogue and networking among the participants. The research results and innovations presented showed the dynamic development of laser technology and its importance for various branches of industry. The organizers thank all participants and speakers for their valuable contributions and are already looking forward to the next edition of the Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum.

Further reading: Thomas Graf, Andreas Michalowski (IFSW U Stuttgart): Dynamic progress of laser technology: New fields of applications and fresh inspiration, PhotonicsViews 21(3), first published: 29 May 2024 • SLT 2024 with new location in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT) will continue from 4 to 6 June 2024 at a new location steeped in history, wileyindustrynews.com, 22 September 2023