In tomorrow’s industry, AI is not an add-on but sits at the very core of value creation. Companies must therefore deeply integrate Industrial AI into their systems and processes to stay ahead of the competition. At Open World 2026 from September 23 to 24, CONTACT Software will present technologies, strategies, and real-world use cases to embed AI throughout the entire value chain without compromising digital sovereignty.
In his opening keynote, CONTACT’s COO Maximilian Zachries will outline how the company is strategically expanding its corporate group and strengthening its position as a digitalization partner for its customers, guided by a clear vision for the future. Chief Product Officer Frank Patz-Brockmann will then offer a look at the strategic roadmap of the Elements platform and the pivotal role Fourier AI plays in it. To complete the picture, CONTACT’s product managers will present upcoming innovations customers can look forward to in the near future.
A wide range of customers will share first-hand accounts of how they use CONTACT Elements to accelerate processes, use resources more efficiently, and bring innovations to market faster. Industry leaders including MANN+HUMMEL, thyssenkrupp Automotive, Grundfos, Weidmüller, and Siemens Mobility will provide insights into their digitalization projects. International corporations such as Apollo Tyres, Kalyani, and Sumitomo Riko, alongside innovative startups like H2Green Oil, will also share their experiences.
In topic-specific sessions, CONTACT, its customers, and partners will showcase practical solutions that attendees can apply in their own projects. The program covers the entire product lifecycle – from virtual engineering and the software-defined factory to smart services for strong margins in after-sales. Guided tours of the partner exhibition and a high-profile panel discussion provide additional opportunities for professional exchange and networking.
Rounding out the program will be inspiring keynotes from the world of elite sports. Jutta Kleinschmidt, the first and to date only woman to win the Dakar Rally, will share what innovation under pressure can achieve. Olympic and World Champion biathlete Kati Wilhelm will explain why it’s important not to let circumstances dictate your course, but instead to boldly take the initiative yourself.
Open World 2026 will take place from September 23 to 24 at the World Conference Center Bonn, Germany.
