Slovak Industry Vision Day 2025 — Artificial intelligence in the service of industry

Digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) are fundamentally reshaping how Slovak companies manufacture, innovate, and compete. The annual event of the SARIO agency – Slovak Industry VISION Day 2025 – offered a clear picture of how Slovak industry is preparing for these changes.

The event brought together representatives of 121 industrial leaders, technology companies, research institutions, and public-sector bodies from 11 countries, with the goal of accelerating digitalisation and strengthening Slovakia’s competitiveness.

KEY MESSAGES

'Successful implementation of AI is essential if we want to keep pace with the EU,' emphasized Branislav Straka, Member of the Board of ČSOB, the event’s general partner, in his opening remarks.

Participants agreed that digitalisation is no longer optional. Modern companies are investing in intelligent production lines, data analytics, process automation, and cloud infrastructure. Businesses that postpone digitalisation are losing the ability to respond to market changes and to optimise operations and costs.

One of the strongest trends identified was the connection of traditional industry with technology startups, a synergy that can significantly boost Slovakia’s innovation potential. Discussions also focused on the readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises, for which digitalisation challenges are often the most demanding, and on the importance of investing not only in technology but also in people.

THE ROLE OF THE STATE

'Slovak Industry VISION Day is always a reminder of how strong and creative Slovakia’s industrial ecosystem is. When we speak about digitalisation, we are not talking about technologies alone, but about the courage to rebuild the way companies operate. The digital future of industry means the ability of Slovak firms to produce faster, more efficiently, and more competitively.

And as Slovakia is an industrial country, it is our responsibility, as the state, to create conditions that allow both small and medium-sized enterprises to operate fairly, effectively, and without unnecessary barriers. We must also be bold and invest where the future is being decided: in energy, artificial intelligence, modern industry, and talent. These areas will determine whether we remain a country that only imports new technologies, or one that develops and exports them. That is why we will continue to bring forward programmes—especially from the Recovery and Resilience Plan—to support this ambition,' said Vladimír Šimoňák, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.

'A key role in this process is played by the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency. For years, through expert and matchmaking events, business missions, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and training activities, the agency has created a platform where industrial companies, technology firms, public institutions, and dedicated state authorities can connect effectively. This enables partnerships with a real impact on the development of Slovak industry and export,' added Robert Šimončič, CEO of SARIO.

BUSINESS POTENTIAL OF SLOVAK INDUSTRY VISION DAY 2025

Representatives of 121 companies and institutions from 11 countries discussed concrete cooperation opportunities and new business prospects in Slovakia and abroad. In total, 248 pre-scheduled bilateral meetings took place with experts, event partners, and representatives of foreign chambers of commerce.

The programme was complemented by networking activities and a presentation of innovative projects and solutions in the EXPO zone.

Photo gallery from the event coming soon.

Thank you to the event partners.