Manufacturing Performance Days will bring together the top minds in manufacturing, including executives, decision-makers and technology leaders, to discuss how AI is reshaping the structures of industry, the nature of work and business models. The programme explores the current state of manufacturing amidst AI and digital transformation and examines how emerging technologies are steering production towards a more agile and intelligent future.

AI Opportunities in Times of Transformation

Following the opening address by Mikko Nyman, CEO of Fastems and Chair of MPD2025, Professor Thomas Bauernhansl, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, will introduce the concept of biointelligent manufacturing, where physical equipment, information technology and biotechnology converge. Philippe Bartissol, Vice President, Industrial Equipment Industry at Dassault Systèmes, will further elaborate on the new industrial opportunities this transformation enables.

The intersection of AI and geopolitics will be explored in a session featuring Cecile Huet, Deputy Head of Unit for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the European Commission, and Filip Geerts, Director General of CECIMO. They will present the current challenges and development directions of European manufacturing. Minna Helle, CEO of Technology Industries of Finland, will offer a national perspective, complemented by global insights from Karoliina Hagman (Accenture). From the United States, Sherri Monroe (Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association, AMGTA), brings an update on the state of US industry. Siemens’ AI solutions are in use across its factories worldwide, and Rainer Brehm, CEO of Factory Automation at Siemens AG, will share practical examples of how AI solutions are first developed and tested in Siemens’ own production environments before broader deployment.

The Human Role and Sustainable Production

In a session led by Leena Pöntynen, (Technology Industries of Finland), the focus turns to how AI is transforming the structures of work and redefining the human role in intelligent manufacturing. Harri Valpola, (System2AI), and Tuomas Syrjänen, (Futurice), will challenge the audience to consider what skills will be required in the future workforce — and whether human input will still be needed at all as AI evolves.

The sustainability theme brings concrete industrial examples of how AI can advance sustainable development. A session led by Kalle Lepola, ( SelectAM), highlights how additive manufacturing and AI together can enable smarter and more resource-efficient production. Liina Vahala, (Meyer Turku), presents a shipbuilding industry perspective — asking whether zero-emission vessels are truly achievable. Maria Antikainen (Sandvik), discusses the challenges and potential of sustainable engineering, while Ossi Talvitie, (Noux Node), focuses on energy-efficient edge computing. Kimmo Koski, (CSC), sheds light on the opportunities offered by Europe’s leading AI infrastructure, LUMI and AI Factory.

AI in Automation and as a Driver of New Business

The second day of the event delves into the practical interface of industrial automation and AI. In a session led by Karoliina Partanen, (AI Finland), the spotlight is on how AI can impact the entire automation lifecycle, not just by optimising operations, but also in early-stage design, inspection planning and post-production analytics.

Topics range from visual inspection and data quality to democratising AI usage, productivity impacts and managing associated risks. Spekaers include Fabian Bause (Beckhoff), Henri Korpi (Elisa), Janne Honkonen (Advian), Juha Päivike (Wärtsilä) and Thomas Stammeier (Device Insight / KUKA Digital).

The conversation on automation expands from isolated technical solutions to broader strategic thinking and business innovation. Heli Helaakoski (VTT), Hai Sun (ABB), Tero Hottinen (KONE), Toni Sormunen (Unikie) and Viivi Villa-Nuottajärvi (Valmet) will explore how AI enables higher value-added manufacturing and paves the way for entirely new products, services and business models.

Radical Rethinking

MPD2025 concludes with a session that challenges traditional manufacturing mindsets. Emma Storbacka (Avaus), Michael Gylling (Relex Solutions), Ville Voipio (Vaisala) and Andrew Lynch (IMR) take AI thinking in manufacturing down unfamiliar paths, solving problems once thought unsolvable and shifting thinking to uncharted territories. The message is clear: future competitiveness belongs to those who dare to think differently and explore new routes within industrial innovation.

The partners of the 9^th MPD are Beckhoff Automation, Dassault Systèmes, DIMECC, Fastems, Reaktor, Siemens, Tampere University, Technology Industries of Finland, VTT, AIKA Ecosystem, CSC, EIT Manufacturing, Elisa Industriq, Escaltech, Federal Ministry Innovation, Mobility, Infrastructure Republic of Austria, KUKA Digital, M-Files, Netum, Noux Node, Ponsse, Smartom, Teamviewer, Top Data Science, Advian, Bosch Rexroth, Brightly Works, Comatec, Delfoi, Digiyritysneuvota, Fujitsu, EAGLE, HiQ, IFM, Innofactor, Konepajakoulu, Knowit, PLM Group, Reboot Skills, Robocoast, Sofigate, Snowflake, SusTool, Teaching Factory Competence Center, Treon, Unikie, Vincit, Wapice, Data Design, Fliq Oy, Lenz, Mastos, Missing Link, PipeCloud, Resoniks, Select AM, Spogen.ai ja Topaasia.

The event is supported by the City of Tampere, the Tampere Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish-German Chamber of Commerce, and European manufacturing industry networks ManuFuture, Cecimo, EFFRA and A.Spire.