The automotive industry is at a turning point: software is no longer just a feature – it is the foundation. In his keynote, Matthias Traub explores the transformation from a traditional embedded stack to a comprehensive software ecosystem for software-defined systems. He highlights how open platforms, cloud integration, and AI-supported development processes form the basis for sustainable innovation. This is not just about technology – it’s about the courage to transform, new partnership models, and the role of engineering culture in an increasingly software-centric world.