Successful trade show appearance: AI Alliance Baden-Württemberg gives a positive assessment of Hannover Messe 2026
Stuttgart, April 30, 2026 – The 2026 Hannover Messe was a resounding success for the Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance. As part of the joint booth of Baden-Württemberg International (BWi) and the Industry 4.0 Alliance Baden-Württemberg, the AI Alliance presented itself from April 20 to 24, 2026, in Hall 14, Booth J40, as the central point of contact for artificial intelligence in the state. The focus was on the practical application of AI in small and medium-sized enterprises, the international networking of Baden-Württemberg’s AI ecosystem, and dialogue with policy makers.
After five days at the trade show, the AI Alliance takes stock: The conversation has shifted. Artificial intelligence is no longer viewed as a topic for the future, but as a concrete task to be implemented. However, there remains a noticeable gap between interest and application among small and medium-sized businesses—and this is precisely where the AI Alliance’s work comes in. “What we saw in Hanover is the next phase: moving away from the question of whether AI is relevant—toward the question of how it is actually integrated into the day-to-day operations of companies. That is precisely where our mission and strength lie,” says Tobias Kenner, Head of Marketing & Business Development at the AI Alliance.
Political momentum: Özdemir and Brantner at the booth
Two prominent guests set the political tone at the start of the trade fair week: Cem Özdemir, the designated Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, and Dr. Franziska Brantner, Federal Chair of Alliance 90/The Greens, visited the AI Alliance’s booth. The discussions focused on strategies for digital sovereignty at the regional, state, federal, and EU levels, as well as the results achieved so far by the AI data platform. The visit demonstrates that the AI Alliance is also viewed as a model structure for other federal states.
“We sense a willingness on both sides—in politics and business—to pick up the pace. What is needed in the long term are structures that systematically match needs with solutions. That is precisely our mission,” emphasizes Sandra Rohner, Executive Director of the Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance.
International Delegations: From Matchmaking to Cooperation
One of the main focuses of this year’s trade show participation was international networking. Guests at the booth included expert delegations from the Netherlands, Wales, India, and Brazil, as well as representatives from the international AI hardware provider NVIDIA. In addition, delegations from Thailand, Mexico, and Taiwan paid a visit. In-depth discussions with Canadian partners took place at the Germany & Canada AI Leaders Lunch and the Canadian-German Industrial AI Symposium. During the B2B matchmaking with Canada and the “Industrial AI in Action: Matchmaking Brazil” event, companies from Baden-Württemberg were specifically brought together with industry and research stakeholders from these countries.
ask-bw.io: Making AI knowledge accessible
The demonstrator for the AI knowledge and matchmaking platform ask-bw.io was presented live at the trade show. The platform answers the key question—"Where can I find the right AI solution for my needs in Baden-Württemberg?"—in a context-sensitive, quality-assured, and ad-free manner. Integrated for the first time this year: an excerpt from the community management’s use case and service database, as well as content from the AI data platform. Users describe their needs in natural language and receive answers from Baden-Württemberg’s curated AI ecosystem—with references to suitable providers, research projects, funding options, and events.
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: Between Aspirations and Reality
During conversations at the booth, a consistent picture emerged across all industries: companies recognize the importance of AI but face similar challenges when it comes to implementation. The issue is rarely a lack of technology, but rather a lack of guidance—in selecting use cases, evaluating providers, and integrating AI into existing processes.
Growing interest in the cooperative
The pace of membership discussions has also noticeably changed this year. The AI Alliance is organized as a cooperative—a model that prioritizes participation over project-based logic. Numerous discussions with potential cooperative members, regional influencers, and providers seeking to become part of the AI ecosystem made it clear: the model works. A systematically administered trade show questionnaire also provides a documented basis for follow-up work after the event.
About the Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance
The KI-Allianz Baden-Württemberg is the central point of contact for providers and users of artificial intelligence from business, science, politics and public administration - with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a driving force and trustworthy partner, it connects players in a targeted manner, promotes knowledge transfer and ensures transparency in the AI ecosystem. Its aim is to make the potential of AI technologies accessible, increase value creation and enable sustainable growth. Through a strong network, quality-assured offers and practical solutions, the AI Alliance brings innovations from theory to application and, together with its partners, shapes the digital future of Baden-Württemberg. Further information at: ki-allianz.de
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