Siemens today signed a groundbreaking alliance with leading machine tool manufacturers – including Grob, Trumpf, Chiron, Renishaw, Heller – as well as the Machine Tool Laboratory (WZL) of RWTH Aachen and the Voith Group, which aims to systematically exchange engineering, manufacturing, and machine data for the development of generative AI applications in the industrial environment. This cooperation marks a decisive step towards the realization of an industry-specific AI model, the Siemens Industrial Foundation Model, whose vision Siemens first presented at the Hannover Messe 2025.
Together with customers and partners, we are taking a significant step today to scale industrial AI. I see a great opportunity here for the economy of Europe with its strong industrial base. Automotive, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, energy, health, infrastructure, and transport among others – by making the unique data treasure of our companies available for generative AI models, we can achieve entirely new levels of productivity. And the data alliance in mechanical engineering is the pioneer,” says Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens AG.
The alliance aims to significantly increase efficiency and innovation cycles in the manufacturing industry through the targeted use of AI technologies. A conceivable application in the field of machine tools is the automated creation of a parts program for machine tools. This allows parts programs to be created significantly faster, while the error rate in code creation decreases. Additionally, programmers are relieved of basic tasks and can focus on more complex challenges.
Access to high-quality machine data from various manufacturers is key,” explains Busch. “With this alliance, we can develop AI systems that understand the complexity in development and manufacturing, thus becoming a powerful partner for professionals.”
The partnership includes the exchange of anonymized machine data while strictly adhering to data protection and security standards. This data will be used, among other things, for the development and training of AI models specifically tailored to the requirements of industrial manufacturing.
With the data from the alliance, NC programs are to be created automatically – this is a type of 'work instruction' for specific manufacturing machines. Other application cases include predictive maintenance with precise machine-specific forecasts, adaptive manufacturing processes that adjust in real-time to changing conditions, or energy efficiency optimization through intelligent control of machine parameters.
In the long term, the alliance plans to gain additional companies – also outside the machine tool industry – to utilize industrial artificial intelligence across industries.
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