By Eric Stein-Beldring, Cognite senior product-marketing manager
With more than 4,000 exhibitors, 130,000 visitors and 1,870 speakers, Hannover Messe 2023 was again a massive event, where industry professionals converged to explore the future of digitalization and learn more about industrial transformation. As we reflect on the vibrant atmosphere of Hannover Messe 2023, three prominent themes emerged from our discussions with attendees: the demand for scalable technology, the challenges of achieving contextualization, and the transformative power of generative AI.
- Scaling technology: no more appetite for limited solutions
Manufacturers expressed a strong desire to move beyond isolated successes and proof-of-concept endeavors. The focus now lies in implementing solutions that can scale across multiple production sites. To achieve this, industry leaders emphasized the importance of establishing a trusted data foundation. By solving the industrial-data challenge first, organizations can accelerate their digital ambitions, swiftly scaling proven solutions across equipment, teams and sites.
- Contextualization challenges: moving from theory to practice
While the concept of contextualization gained widespread recognition at Hannover Messe, attendees highlighted the difficulty of effectively delivering trusted data across their businesses. Many shared their disappointments with investments in contextualization solutions that failed to provide efficient access to complex industrial data. To bridge this gap, it became evident that showcasing tangible user experiences (rather than relying on buzzwords) is crucial. Our discussions affirmed the need for simplicity in delivering AI-powered data contextualization, enabling experts to leverage cross-data insights and make informed decisions.
- The rise of generative AI: unleashing transformation
Generative AI, including ChatGPT and GPT-4, emerged as a consistent topic of conversation during the conference. The presence of "generative AI" on banners, slides and screens throughout the event highlighted its growing significance. Both industry leaders and software vendors recognized the potential of generative AI to spark true transformation within the industrial landscape. With the ability to transform "data swamps" into contextualized operations-insight machines, generative AI empowers subject-matter experts to gain actionable knowledge more efficiently and discover new opportunities for safer, more efficient and sustainable operations.
Hannover Messe 2023 solidified the urgency for scalable technology, highlighted the challenges of achieving contextualization, and showcased the transformative potential of generative AI in the industry. As we navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, it is imperative to embrace these advancements and leverage them to shape a digital, connected and sustainable future.
