The opening ceremony of Hannover Messe 2025 is held in Hannover, Germany, March 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
This year, industrial AI takes center stage, reflecting its growing influence on manufacturing and automation.
HANNOVER, Germany, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Hannover Messe 2025, Germany's leading industrial trade fair, opened on Monday with a strong focus on industrial artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the technology's transformative role in shaping the future of manufacturing.
Held under the theme "energizing a sustainable industry," the five-day event has drawn more than 3,800 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. Chinese companies make up a significant portion of participants, with around 1,000 exhibitors, making China the second-largest exhibitor group after host country Germany, according to the organizer.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday evening, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of technological innovation and sovereignty, particularly in fields such as AI, e-mobility, clean energy, and robotics.
However, Scholz also warned of growing challenges to global progress. Rising geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and protectionist measures - including tariffs imposed by the United States - are disrupting global trade and slowing technological development.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, March 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
"More uncertainty, more unpredictability, more tariffs, more fragmentation - this is not good news for most companies," Scholz said. He urged for stronger international cooperation to drive innovation, noting that "technological advancements are more successful when we collaborate across sectors, disciplines, and countries."
Now in its nearly 80th year, Hannover Messe has long served as a key platform for showcasing cutting-edge industrial technology. This year, industrial AI takes center stage, reflecting its growing influence on manufacturing and automation.
Beyond AI, the fair also features emerging industries such as digital platforms, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cells, and quantum technology.
Siemens AG CEO Roland Busch echoed the emphasis on AI, calling for its deep integration into core industrial operations. "AI and data-driven technologies should not just be added to existing processes," he said. "They must be embedded into the heart of products, software, and business models to realize their full potential."
Roland Busch, Siemens AG president and CEO, speaks at the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe 2025 in Hannover, Germany, March 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
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