Welcome & Opening by Simone van Trier, moderator, and Peter Stolk, chairman, Holland High Tech
Strategic Dialogue | Status Quo by Peter Stolk, chairman, Holland High Tech & Leo Warmerdam, executive director, Holland High Tech
Keynote | Why we must accelerate in Cognitive Robotics by Lukas M. Ziegler, followed by a Q&A with the audience
Looking towards 2035 and beyond… What are the necessary prerequisites to develop Industrial AI and Cognitive Robotics in high-tech industry further? What are the next steps both in your own productions and how does Industrial AI help us with skilled labour? How can we as innovators help the development of the key enabling technologies while working towards the future of European autonomy? How do we work together, both internal and with partners to take the next steps in this key initiative? An in depth talk about innovation, integration and cases from the high tech industry.
Lukas M. Ziegler is one of the leading European voices on industrial and cognitive robotics. Since 2018, he has gone inside 150+ robotics companies – including ABB, KUKA, Siemens, FANUC, Universal Robots, Boston Dynamics, and NVIDIA – translating what he sees on factory floors and in research labs into stories the industry follows closely.
His focus sits where industrial robotics meets cognitive capabilities: machines that perceive, reason, and adapt, reshaping European manufacturing, logistics, and high-tech production – with the Netherlands' Brainport region forming one of the continent's strongest clusters. Through Botnanza, his PR and venture-scouting studio dedicated to robotics and physical AI, he works with robotics companies, founders, and venture capital firms across the ecosystem – helping them tell their story, raise capital, and find their next customers.
A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Lukas has delivered keynotes at the United Nations' AI For Good summit, automatica, and Hannover Messe. His reporting has reached over 300 million people and built a community of 250,000+ engineers, founders, and operators across Europe and beyond. His perspective combines market insight, startup experience and a strong ability to translate emerging technologies into strategic relevance for companies, investors and policymakers.
Interview | Cognitive Robotics for innovation the Netherlands by Ton Peijnenburg, CTO, VDL Enabling Technologies Group & Programme council member, Holland High Tech
Holland High Tech’s perspective on the opportunities of Cognitive Robotics within Industry 5.0. Ton Peijnenburg will discuss where the Netherlands and Europe can lead, where strategic control points can be developed, and which challenges must be addressed, including AI infrastructure, chips, raw materials, IoT integration, investment, and regulation.
Interview | Building a future-proof economy by Heleen Herbert, Minister of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy (to be confirmed)
A concise look at what it takes to build a future-proof economy in a rapidly changing world. In this interview our minister of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy, shares her insights on the strategic choices ahead. From investing in innovation, technology and digitalisation to strengthening productivity and resilience, she outlines how the Netherlands can remain competitive, highlighting the National Technology Strategy, the strategic international markets, the Wennink-linked taskforces on future prosperity and business climate, European development, and the role of cognitive robotics.
