Program Preview
Subject to change
AI IN INDUSTRY
EUROPE ON THE WAY
Global competition for computing power, data spaces, and AI expertise will determine tomorrow's industrial value creation. Europe's response is ambitious: sovereign AI infrastructures, interoperable data spaces, and industrial application expertise are to enable the digital revolution—supported by politics, industry, and international partnerships.
The conference brings together leading figures from politics, business, research, and industry to define Europe's role in the AI competition and highlight concrete implementation steps in industrial practice.
Monday, 20 April 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
AUTOMOTIVE TRANSFORMATION
REORIENTATION OF A KEY INDUSTRY
Climate policy requirements, disruptive technologies, and global value chains are fundamentally changing the automotive industry. At the same time, there is growing pressure to combine resilience, sustainability, and digital innovation. Manufacturers and suppliers are transforming themselves into software-driven mobility providers, while new players are reshaping the market and regulatory frameworks are being redefined.
The discussion will focus on key technological and industrial policy decisions that are necessary to make Europe's automotive industry future-proof – economically strong, ecologically sustainable, and digitally sovereign.
Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
SECURITY, DEFENSE & INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION
GEOPOLITICS AND STRATEGIC REALIGNMENT
The security policy situation is changing rapidly – with direct consequences for industry and defense. The German Armed Forces and the defense industry must adapt their strategies to ensure sovereignty and operational capability. Industrial companies are increasingly transforming themselves into suppliers of security-related products and technologies, while the political framework conditions are constantly being redefined.
The focus is on issues of European procurement, dual-use applications, and resilient supply chains. The aim is to bring together decision-makers from NATO, the EU, the German Armed Forces, and industry to forge a close alliance between industrial strength and European defense capabilities.
Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
NEXT-GEN ENERGY
AI AS A DRIVER FOR ENERGY SYSTEMS
The energy transition is one of the greatest transformational tasks of our time – with enormous implications for the economy, society, and industry.
The panels will highlight topics such as self-regulating grids that use AI to prevent outages and optimize energy flows, multi-day storage as the key to industrial energy independence, and the scaling of quantum computing in energy systems.
Global perspectives from Europe, China, India, and the US will show how technological advances can make industry and energy supply sustainable for the future.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
HUMANOID ROBOTS
THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
The industrial world is facing radical change—and humanoid robots have the potential to become the heart of this transformation.
Wherever flexibility, interaction with the environment, and safety are crucial, they can take on repetitive, physically demanding, or dangerous tasks. At the same time, they still have limitations today – for example, in terms of endurance, dexterity, cost, and robustness.
Whether humanoid robots prevail depends on how quickly technological, economic, and regulatory hurdles can be overcome.
In keynotes, panel discussions, and live demonstrations, experts will provide technical insights, showcase practical examples, and share their visions for the future.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
AI & AUTOMATION BEST PRACTICES
EXPERIENCE INNOVATION. EXPLOIT POTENTIAL.
How do global companies such as IKEA and ON AG use AI and automation in production – and what challenges did they have to overcome? Leading brands will provide exclusive insights into their strategies, solutions, and experiences with data-driven, automated production processes on the Center Stage.
The focus is on real-world application examples – from AI-supported quality assurance and intelligent production control to automated logistics processes. This will highlight how investments pay off, especially against the backdrop of current investment packages and government subsidy programs, how technology transfer succeeds, and what structures are necessary to anchor innovation in the long term.
Thursday, 23 April 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
STARTUP INNOVATION @ INDUSTRIE
FOUNDERS ARE TRANSFORMING PRODUCTION
Young, innovative, disruptive: startups bring fresh ideas to medium-sized industrial companies – from energy efficiency and digital twins to resilient supply chains. On the Center Stage, founders show how they use smart technologies and agile methods to improve processes, strengthen sustainability, and establish new business models.
Successful practical examples, experience reports from pilot projects, scale-ups, and partnerships with corporations illustrate how innovation leads to growth. The discussion will also focus on the framework conditions young companies need—from support programs to venture capital to accelerators—and how their potential can be quickly translated into industrial value creation.
Thursday, 23 April 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
TECH MEETS TALENT
HOW NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE CHANGING OUR WORK, CULTURE, AND SKILLS
Artificial intelligence, quantum research, space tech, and new working models raise fundamental questions: Which technologies will shape the future? What skills will be needed—and how will we shape the working world of tomorrow?
Leading international researchers will provide answers in keynotes, a high-caliber panel on work, culture, and change, and interactive formats. The topics range from robotics and AI to quantum technologies and space tech – always with an eye on social and economic impacts.
Friday, 24 April 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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