At the SPS press conference, the ZVEI emphasizes the profound change in industrial value creation through Industrial AI. "Industrial AI enables new forms of value creation, from self-optimizing systems to agentic AI ecosystems," says Rainer Brehm, Chairman of the ZVEI Automation Association. This creates "enormous potential for efficiency, quality and speed".

A recent ZVEI survey of companies already using industrial AI applications shows a continued high willingness to invest: two thirds expect a positive impact on their competitive position. Around a quarter intend to channel 20% or more of their total investments into industrial AI applications over the next five years.

At the same time, many companies see regulatory hurdles: Almost every second company rates EU regulations such as the AI Act, Cyber Resilience Act and Data Act as a restriction that could shift investments more to other EU countries. "Our companies are willing to invest. But they need an environment in which their innovative strength does not get bogged down in a jungle of regulation. Europe must act in a practical, courageous and technology-agnostic way so that industrial AI can emerge here," says Brehm.

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to anchor this at EU level. For example, the most recently presented draft for the so-called digital omnibus to reduce bureaucracy in this area lacks the courage to make bold structural reforms. The ZVEI is therefore calling for industrial AI to be completely removed from the AI Act. Efficient digital infrastructures and data ecosystems are crucial. "Globally applicable, secure data standards are a key element," adds Gunther Koschnick, CEO of the trade association.

The economic situation remains mixed: between January and September 2025, sales (+2.2%) and incoming orders (+4.8%) increased, while real production fell by 1.6% (2024: -13%). On the export side, new US tariffs on steel imports and weak demand from China (-8%) and the USA (-6.9%) had a negative impact. However, growth in EU exports (+7.8%) partially offset these declines. The subdued development in the mechanical engineering and automotive industries continues to dampen the domestic market.

Nevertheless, the ZVEI is cautiously optimistic for 2026 and expects moderate growth in automation.