"A new era of efficiency"

Geopolitical tensions, climate change, stagnating growth, high energy prices and a shortage of skilled workers are the issues that are currently preoccupying companies. What impetus can Hannover Messe provide in relation to these challenges?

In Hanover, technologies and solutions will be presented that enable industry to produce competitively and sustainably. At Hannover Messe, everything revolves around intelligent andCO2-neutral production, AI, hydrogen and cross-sector energy solutions. Our exhibitors will show that competitive industrial production is possible in Europe. The solution lies in the interplay of automation, digitalization and electrification, broad cross-industry and cross-national cooperation and a clear political course.

What trends do you see among the exhibitors and what will make this year's Hannover Messe stand out?

Hannover Messe is the most important trade fair for the digitalization of industry. Artificial intelligence is now taking industrial digitalization to the next level. It is revolutionizing industry by making processes more efficient and enabling new value creation. By using AI, companies can shorten development times and save resources and energy.

Hydrogen is another trending topic at the Hannover Messe. It offers enormous opportunities as a carrier of sustainable energy. In April, around 500 companies from the hydrogen industry will be demonstrating what is technologically feasible. We are creating the framework in which politicians and industry can discuss and hopefully decide on a concrete roadmap towards a functioning hydrogen economy.

As the partner country of this year's Hannover Messe, Norway has a great deal of expertise in green energy andCO2-free production. To what extent can this experience benefit the decarbonization of the German economy?

Norway is one of Germany's most important energy partners. The partner country's motto is "Norway 2024: Pioneering the Green Industrial Transition". This underlines Norway's claim to play a key role in the development of solutions in the fields of renewable energies,CO2-neutral production, carbon capture and the digitalization of industry. The German economy can benefit from this expertise in the long term.

Hannover Messe has always been at the forefront of technological trends. One of the most important technology topics this year is, of course, artificial intelligence. Can you foresee trends in which areas of industry AI will establish itself particularly quickly and profoundly? And what contribution can AI make to competitiveness and sustainability?

AI will lead the industry into a new era of efficiency. In the area of product development, AI can help to find innovative solutions and better understand customer needs by analyzing large amounts of data and identifying trends at an early stage. One major area is predictive maintenance, as AI can detect faults at an early stage, allowing faulty components to be replaced before production comes to a standstill. AI makes it possible to recycle components on a large scale, so that we can finally talk about a functioning circular economy.

How does the trade fair support the exchange of knowledge and networking between companies, research institutions and start-ups?

Hannover Messe is the only trade fair in the world where research institutions, industrial companies and start-ups come together to discuss current trends and future-oriented developments. On the Tech Transfer stage, this discourse is given an attention-grabbing platform. The latest applied industrial research projects will be presented there, as well as current research results from all relevant industry sectors. On the Start-up Stage, visitors will experience dynamic pitches, presentations by networkers, incubators and accelerating programs as well as exciting discussions.

As always, the Hannover Messe has an extensive supporting and conference program. Are there any congresses that stand out in particular this year?

In addition to the conference stages, the next Summit for Research and Innovation will be held for the first time on April 22, 2024 as part of the Hannover Messe. High-ranking representatives from business, science, politics and civil society will discuss the topic of "Innovations in Europe - catalysts, competencies and cooperation using the example of AI". The European Union will also be presenting itself at the Hannover Messe on April 22. At the "Investing in European Industry" conference, industry representatives will discuss topics such as the Green Deal with EU politicians. The new conference "Renewable Dialogue - North Sea Energy Hub" will take place for the first time on the Tuesday of the trade fair. It will bring together representatives from Norway and Germany to discuss the relevant challenges and concrete solution options for a sustainable transformation. Another highlight is the Femworx career congress, which is aimed at women in the industry and will be held from 25 to 26 April.