"Competitiveness is built where innovations are rapidly put into practice," says Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe. "At HANNOVER MESSE, attendees experience firsthand how to deploy AI productively and create real, tangible added value." In light of the global challenges facing industry, Köckler views industrial AI as a key driver for added competitiveness. "It enables efficiency gains, greater productivity, more targeted use of resources – and opens the door to new data-driven business models."

Industrial AI and robotics take center stage

Global technology giants, mid-sized industrial companies, research institutes, and startups will showcase real-world applications that demonstrate how AI and robotics are making steady inroads into everyday industrial practice.

Among them, Agile Robots will show the potential of AI-driven robotics, with the focus on Agile ONE, a humanoid robot that understands its environment, takes decisions autonomously, and operates in real time within complex industrial scenarios.

SEW-EURODRIVE is set to present an AI-based chat function for automation: their "Startup Agent" enables machines and robots to be configured through natural dialog, significantly cutting startup time. Notably, the underlying AI operates without conventional LLM approaches – positioning the function as an independent, practically oriented solution aimed especially at European industry.

Siemens will use a flexible shoe production line to demonstrate how AI systems can move beyond simply making recommendations to actually taking action. In this setup, an autonomous packing robot and a humanoid robot carry out tasks independently.

These examples are just a glimpse into what to expect at this year's HANNOVER MESSE, with AI featuring on virtually every exhibitor's stand at the show. The humanoid robotics segment alone will see around 15 companies presenting their systems, underscoring just how rapidly this technology is moving from research labs into real-world industrial applications.

Center Stage with Friedrich Merz, Roland Busch, and Barack Obama

The new Center Stage will serve as the central hub of HANNOVER MESSE, bringing together leaders from business, politics, and academia to debate the future of industry.

On the opening Monday of the trade fair, top industrial executives will sit down with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss how AI can be scaled into broad industrial applications. Those taking part will include DAX CEOs Roland Busch (Siemens), Christian Klein (SAP), and Tim Höttges (Deutsche Telekom).

Likewise on Monday, astronaut Alexander Gerst, Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Institute, and Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, will discuss Germany's high-tech agenda.

The Center Stage will also be hosting high-profile guests on the remaining days of HANNOVER MESSE. On Tuesday, Toto Wolff, Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, will join Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer, to discuss innovations in Formula 1 and what industry can learn from them.

That afternoon, CEOs including Armin Papperger (Rheinmetall) and Michael Schöllhorn (Airbus Defence and Space) will be joined by security architecture experts such as General Markus Laubenthal (Chief of Staff of NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)) to examine the implications of the shifting geopolitical security landscape for both industry and defense.

On Wednesday morning, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Chairman of Spitzberg Partners, and politician Gregor Gysi will record a live podcast entitled "The Energy Hunger of the Future – Industry, AI, and the Battle for Electricity". Wednesday afternoon's program on the Center Stage sees a discussion on the future of humanoid robotics featuring companies including Microsoft, NVIDIA, Hexagon, Agile Robots, BMW, and Schaeffler.

On Thursday, production executives from companies including Claas, Merck, and sports apparel maker ON will share insights into their strategies for rolling out automation and AI. Later that day, Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the Board of the German Startup Association, and investor Carsten Maschmeyer will join startup founders in a discussion on what makes innovation ecosystems succeed – and Barack Obama will deliver a video message urging aspiring young entrepreneurs to be bold in shaping the future.

On Friday, leading futurists, scientists, and business representatives will explore how emerging technologies are set to transform work, culture, and skills. Closing out the Center Stage program is Philipp Lahm, former captain of the German national soccer team, with a talk on leadership, resilience, and goal orientation.

New thematic area: Defense Production Park

In the new Defense Production Park, around 40 companies will showcase how modern production technology meets the requirements of security-critical manufacturing while remaining highly scalable. Defense industry companies face challenges similar to those of other industrial sectors – yet in the wake of Germany's "Zeitenwende", or strategic turning point, they now need to rapidly scale up their capacities within a very short time. How they can achieve this without compromising on security and quality is the central focus of this new exhibition theme.

With top-level politicians and partner country Brazil: A meeting place for European industrial politics and global partnerships

In 2026, HANNOVER MESSE once again welcomes high-ranking political delegations from across Europe and around the world, with the spotlight on this year's partner country, Brazil. The fair will be officially opened by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – a clear signal of the growing strategic importance of the German-Brazilian relationship.

Especially against the backdrop of the current geopolitical situation, Brazil – and with it South America as a whole – is increasingly gaining importance as a reliable trade and industrial partner for Germany and Europe. Diversified supply chains, access to raw materials, and joint industrial and climate projects will be brought into sharper focus.

Alongside international delegations, leading politicians from Germany and the European Commission will also be present at the trade fair, including Katherina Reiche (Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy), Karsten Wildberger (Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization), and Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius. Other high-ranking delegations from Europe, America, Asia, and Africa are expected, underscoring HANNOVER MESSE's global significance as forum for industry, technology, and geopolitical dialog.

"Working with Brazil goes beyond trade – it's a strategic partnership," emphasizes Klöckner. "Especially in times of global tensions, dependable partners are all the more essential. HANNOVER MESSE is the ideal platform to strengthen these ties."