There is hardly a shortage of ideas for artificial intelligence in the industry. What’s missing is impact: Many initiatives never make it past the proof-of-concept stage and get bogged down by data issues, integration challenges, and a lack of scalability. Under the title “You Can Buy AI. But Not Its Impact!”, the Deutsche Messe Technology Academy will address this challenge on November 3, 2026, in Hanover.

The one-day conference is designed as a forum for practical AI transformation. It highlights where projects typically stall: in the selection of use cases, the data foundation, the business case, integration into existing systems, or in organizational and user acceptance. Participants should then be better able to assess where their company stands and what the next logical step is.

Why AI doesn’t Scale

Anja Simon, CEO of the Labs Network Industry 4.0, will kick off the event. Under the heading “Pilot Graveyards,” she describes a common pattern: AI is introduced as yet another tool, new pilot projects emerge, but true integration rarely occurs. For her, the answer lies less in technology and more in strategy, leadership, and corporate culture.

Agnes Loehner from Siemens Digital Industries Software starts with expectations. Business, IT, and production often pursue different goals, and use cases are prioritized incorrectly.

Christoph Herr from Ankercloud turns the spotlight on an uncomfortable topic: the data foundation. Established structures, the “Excel reality,” and poor data quality quickly become bottlenecks for ambitious AI goals.

Simon Mathes from Schaeffler demonstrates how AI takes shape on the factory floor. He explains how Physical AI, robotics, and immersive simulation environments interact within the Industrial Metaverse to make production processes more flexible and scalable.

The subsequent panel discussion addresses the “question of blame”: Does immature technology hold AI back, or is it more a matter of leadership and organization? And who within the company must take responsibility to ensure AI scales?

Tackling your own Obstacles

The afternoon will be interactive. In parallel executive working sessions, participants will address the typical sticking points of AI projects. Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner from Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences asks why existing data often fails to deliver results despite being available. Dr.-Ing. Sergii Kolomiichuk from Fraunhofer IFF makes it clear that AI remains a toy without a business case. Other sessions address integration into IT and OT landscapes, the path from proof of concept to scaling, the role of people in AI-driven change, as well as governance, security, and compliance.

To conclude, two presentations offer practical insights. Peer Hogeterp from the DLR Institute of Software Technology reports on what actually happens between the concept phase and productive use within a large organization. Prof. Glauner sharpens the analysis: AI rarely fails due to technology, but rather because of responsibilities, rigid structures, and cultural barriers.

A wrap-up summarizes the day’s uncomfortable truths. A structured summary also provides participants with a tool they can use to continue their work within their own companies. Those arriving the evening before can network at an informal “outdoor get-together” featuring bratwurst and beer.

AI Conference: You can buy AI. But not its impact!
November 3, 2026 (Get-together the evening before)
Pavilion 36, Hanover Exhibition Center

More information and registration