IPS 2026 #1: OpenSpace, AI and Outdoors Programming

What is happening in the world of planetariums today? In this exclusive episode recorded live at the IPS conference, we sit down with leading experts and one passionate young fan to discuss how technology, AI, sound, and interactive outdoor programming are shaping the future of immersive spaces.Christian Theis (Managing Director of Mannheim Planetarium, Germany) shares why live interaction is crucial and how expanding programs outside the dome, through stargazing workshops and solar eclipse events, can engage entirely new audiences.Jonathan Horn (11-year-old astronomy enthusiast, Germany) gives us a refreshing kid's perspective on why anime shows (like Detective Conan and One Piece) are a massive hit in the domes and tells us his secret to the ultimate planetarium experience: taking a good nap during tranquil shows!Lauri Hynninen (Heureka Science center, Finland) dives deep into how artificial intelligence (AI) can speed up a producer's workflow, eliminate repetitive coding, and why his top filmmaking advice is: "Don't try to tell everything in one movie."Markus Schack (Director of Media Dome Kiel, Germany) introduces the game-changing potential of OpenSpace, a powerful, free data-visualization software, and discusses how AI is becoming an efficient tool for pre-production and automated customer service.Keywords: IPS 2026, planetarium, fulldome, OpenSpace software, AI in production, Mannheim Planetarium, Heureka, astronomy education, interactive domes