HANNOVER (dpa-AFX) - Artificial intelligence, robotics, and their industrial applications will take center stage at the Hannover Messe next week (April 20 to 24). "At Hannover Messe, visitors will experience how to deploy AI productively to create value," said trade fair chief Jochen Köckler ahead of the upcoming exhibition. In light of global challenges, he noted that this is increasingly becoming a key competitive factor.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the President of this year's partner country, Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the world's leading industrial trade fair on Sunday evening. Both are expected for the traditional tour of the fair on Monday. Other federal politicians on the guest list include Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU), and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).
For the first time, the defense sector will be represented with its own dedicated focus area. Around 40 companies will showcase solutions for the rapid scale-up of defense equipment production. Expected guests include Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and Michael Schöllhorn of Airbus Defence and Space.
In total, more than 3,000 exhibitors from the mechanical engineering, electrical, and digital industries, as well as the energy sector, are participating. Last year, the figure stood at 4,000. Numerous technology giants such as Microsoft, SAP, and Siemens are represented, alongside medium-sized enterprises and various start-ups. In 2025, the event drew 127,000 visitors./fjo/DP/nas
