April 20-24, 2026 - HANNOVER MESSE. The world's leading trade fair for the manufacturing industry
AI at HANNOVER MESSE: Out of theory. Into application
April 20-24, 2026: 4 days at Hannover Messe (DEUTSCH)
Hanover. With HANNOVER MESSE 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes tangible in industry. Practical and application-oriented, the trade fair demonstrates how manufacturing companies can profitably use AI. With new exhibitors, a new thematic structure, optimized visitor guidance, new networking formats, and a consistent focus on AI, the world's leading trade fair for the manufacturing industry clearly shows how concrete competitive advantages can be created from the challenges of our time – offering companies and visitors even more guidance and benefits.
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| Hanover City Hall – the dome is accessible by elevator, Photo: H. Waess (Archive) |
Global competition, increasing cost pressure, and the rapid pace of technological innovation
present the manufacturing industry with the greatest transformation challenge in its history. In this phase of upheaval, companies need a platform that showcases technological innovations and translates them into concrete applications. HANNOVER MESSE 2026 fulfills precisely this role, demonstrating how AI, automation, digitalization, energy systems, and research interlock to ensure sustainable competitiveness.
Industrial AI is becoming a key driver of innovation and growth.
It analyzes production data in real time, optimizes processes, and enables intelligent, adaptive control of production workflows. This results in measurable efficiency gains, increased productivity, and a more conscious use of resources – while simultaneously opening up new data-driven business models and additional value creation potential for companies.
“Now is the time to act and invest consistently in new technologies. Those who boldly invest in AI, automation, and digital systems today are laying the foundation for leaps in efficiency, resilience, and sustainable competitiveness,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Deutsche Messe AG. “HANNOVER MESSE is the platform where visitors can experience concrete AI applications and learn, through direct interaction with exhibiting companies, how they can increase their productivity by using AI.”
At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, Physical AI will also play a central role for the first time.
This refers to AI systems that interact directly with the physical world—for example, in machines, systems, or robots.
“AI is thus becoming a productive force in the factory—especially with industrial and humanoid robots. We will experience this impressively at the robotics exhibitors’ booths at HANNOVER MESSE,” says Köckler.
HANNOVER MESSE is the world's leading trade fair for the manufacturing industry.
Around 3,500 exhibiting companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical and digital industries, and energy sectors gather there to present solutions for a competitive and sustainable industry. The main exhibition areas are Automation & Digitalization, Energy & Industrial Infrastructure, and Research & Technology Transfer. Artificial intelligence is a recurring theme throughout all exhibition areas. A diverse conference program complements the exhibition. The next HANNOVER MESSE will be held in Hanover from April 20 to 24, 2026. Brazil is the partner country.
HANNOVER MESSE 2026
April 20–24
Monday to Thursday,
- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday,
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Exhibition Grounds
30521 Hannover
Further Informations: www.hannovermesse.de
Info: Press release from the organizer
