Hannover Messe 2025: Is AI enough to future-proof the industrial sector?

Hannover Messe 2025 is the global meeting point for the industrial sector and the most important showcase for innovation and forward-looking strategies. As in previous years, artificial intelligence dominates the agenda, from automated production to generative AI. But is AI the only lever to secure the sector’s future?

In this article, we examine the key topics that shaped Hannover Messe 2025 and highlight where real opportunities and challenges lie for businesses. We were on-site in Hannover, analysing technologies, engaging in discussions, and benchmarking trends against the experiences within our partner and client ecosystem. Here, we share our perspective on what truly drives the industrial sector forward. 

From hype to value creation: How AI is boosting profitability

Just last year, the industrial sector was still debating which use cases could justify the AI hype and what real value could be gained. At Hannover Messe 2025, a wide array of practical AI solutions were showcased, from master data and production efficiency optimisation at Brückner Maschinenbau, to AI-driven downtime and cost reduction at Kanadevia Inova, and automated quoting processes at Burckhardt Compression.

Inspirational talks, interactive tours and hands-on demos show how AI is transforming the industrial sector and setting new standards. They also make clear that emerging technologies bring new challenges.

You can explore further exciting AI use cases across the entire industrial value chain here.

A recent study by the VDMA, published just ahead of Hannover Messe 2025, highlights the potential of generative AI in mechanical and plant engineering. According to the study, consistent adoption could increase operational margins by up to 10.7%, equating to an additional €28 billion in sector-wide profits  – with the greatest gains expected in sales and marketing, R&D, and planning. Yet only 0.74 percentage points of this potential profitability improvement are currently being realised. Key reasons: poor data quality, lack of AI expertise, and inadequate IT infrastructure.

At Zühlke, our AI experts support organisations in laying the necessary foundations and in designing, developing, and scaling bespoke AI solutions that deliver sustainable efficiency and profitability gains.

The pressure is on: AI requires a strategic approach

With stagnating productivity growth and rising costs, pressure across the industrial sector is mounting. Now is the time for companies to invest in the right use cases to fully unlock AI’s potential and secure long-term competitiveness. This calls for a strategic approach as the industry must avoid outpacing itself.

Cybersecurity: the foundation of digital transformation

As industrial systems become more connected, the risk of cyberattacks increases. As we highlighted in a previous article, in 2024 the industrial sector was the most frequently targeted by cyber incidents. Hannover Messe 2025 made one thing abundantly clear: cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought. It must be an integral part of every product and service development process.

Another recent VDMA study supports this conclusion. While cyber resilience in the mechanical and plant engineering sector is improving, the danger has not passed. 55% of surveyed companies reported experiencing negative impacts from security incidents – down from nearly 70% in 2019. We attribute this drop to better security measures and increased awareness within companies. However, cyberattacks still cause damage, costing hundreds of billions annually.

Notably, the study highlights that for the first time, social engineering and phishing top the list of threats, ahead of human error and sabotage. At Zühlke, we’re seeing a growing demand for cybersecurity solutions tailored to industrial clients.

Regulations such as the EU's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and NIS2 Directive are central themes. They directly affect around two-thirds of businesses, yet we find many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain unprepared.

Zühlke supports companies with tailored security solutions that embed protection into systems from the start, preventing vulnerabilities that could later result in reputational damage, costly fixes, or severe financial loss.

Our conversations at Hannover Messe 2025 revealed a clear trend: digital ecosystems enable collaboration across platforms, secure data sharing, and joint innovation. From smart machine connectivity to business models built on big data and AI, many exhibitors showcased the benefits of cross-company collaboration.

What’s long been common in consumer markets is now gaining traction in the industrial sector – the shift from one-off sales to recurring revenue models. For industrial companies, subscription-based models offer numerous benefits:

• Predictable revenue: Stable, recurring income streams.
• Customer retention: Long-term contracts increase lifetime value.
• Strategic partnerships: Joint focus on shared value and mutual strengths.
• Sustainability: Shared incentives to extend product lifecycles and promote circular economy principles.
• Data-driven development: Usage insights enable tailored services and new revenue sources.

Zühlke helps companies design and implement digital and subscription-based models with a focus not just on technology, but also on organisational transformation and measurable return on investment.