June 2018

AI and digital transformation of industry in Europe at the CEO Dialogue

More than 50 executives of the European robotics industry gathered in Munich on the eve of automatica (June 18th) for the second round of the CEO Dialogue - a high-level networking event organized by EUnited Robotics and hosted by Messe München. 

Dr. Falk Senger, Managing Director of Messe München, and Walter Zulauf, Director of Technology at Güdel Group and Chairman of EUnited Robotics, addressed the participants with a warm welcome.  And speakers, Dr. Carl-Christian Buhr, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, and Klaus Helmrich, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, sparked an engaging discussion following their keynotes on "Artificial Intelligence for Europe" and "The digital transformation in industry".

 

Dr. Buhr laid out Europe's strategy on AI by focusing on three main pillars:

• Boosting technological and industrial capacity – AI uptake
• Prepare for socio-economic changes
• Ensure an appropriate ethical and legal framework

The goal is for Europe to lead the way making it the worldwide reference platform for thinking and reflection on AI.  Therefore, the EU is prepared to boost its technological and industrial capacity during 2018-2020 and beyond. EC will be investing €1.5 billion into AI by 2020, topped by investment efforts from private sector and member states, reaching a total of €20 billion.

Klaus Helmrich painted a picture of the future of manufacturing with digital transformation in the forefront.  He pointed out the new business opportunities created by digital transformation - from mechanical components to smart, integrated systems; from traditional materials/production to new materials and production processes (Additive Manufacturing); and from permanently defined variants to personalized products - all made possible through digital manufacturing.  All in all digitalization is set to change both the sales process and operation in the future.

Presentation slides available upon request at robotics@eu-nited.net.

Impressions from the CEO Dialogue: