AI and Robotics Leaders to Headline Automate 2026

Four days of keynotes explore the forces reshaping automation and the future of work at North America’s largest automation event

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) today announced the keynote lineup for Automate 2026, as artificial intelligence reshapes industrial automation and drives manufacturers and other industries to find new ways to address workforce shortages, improve productivity, and remain competitive.

Those themes will take center stage this year at Automate, the largest robotics and automation event in North America, June 22–25, 2026, in Chicago at McCormick Place.

Industry leaders from Siemens Digital Industries and Standard Bots will headline keynote sessions exploring the growing role of AI in automation, workforce transformation, and the expanding capabilities of robotics across manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. The program will also feature a leadership conversation with Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher and longtime Bears radio voice Jeff Joniak.

Automate is expected to attract more than 50,000 people, with 200+ expert speakers, 140+ conference sessions, and 1,000+ exhibitors across 450,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Keynote Lineup
The keynote program will highlight the most important trends shaping automation today, from industrial AI to workforce transformation and leadership.

MONDAY, JUNE 22

The State of the Automation Industry: Leadership Roundtable
Mike Cicco, President and CEO, FANUC America; Andre Marino, SVP, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric; Matt Moschner, President and CEO, Cognex; Wendy Tan White, CEO, Intrinsic

These industry leaders will share their perspectives on the current state of automation, key market trends, and the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry’s future.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23

The Automation Impact: AI, Automation, and the Human Element
Annemarie Breu, Senior Director, Automation Software Deployment and Incubation, Siemens Digital Industries and Chris Stevens, President, U.S. Automation, Siemens Digital Industries

This session explores how manufacturers are integrating AI with automation systems to improve productivity, build more adaptive operations, and enable the workforce to scale new technologies responsibly.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

99% of Tasks Still Can’t Be Automated: How Physical AI Changes That
Evan Beard, Co-founder and CEO, Standard Bots

Beard will examine why most real-world tasks remain difficult to automate and how AI-native robots could dramatically expand the range of tasks automation can address.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

Built to Win: The Mindset Behind Championship Performance
Brian Urlacher, Former Linebacker, Chicago Bears and Jeff Joniak, Play-by-Play Announcer, Chicago Bears

This session explores the leadership principles behind sustained high performance, drawing parallels between elite sports teams and modern organizations.

The Largest Automation Event in North America
Automate brings together automation professionals from around the world to explore the latest technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, motion control, and industrial automation.

When the event last took place in Chicago in 2024, it set an attendance record with 42,895 registrants and 867 exhibitors across more than 320,000 square feet of exhibit space, driving a nearly $50 million economic impact to the city. The 2026 event is expected to surpass those records as companies across industries accelerate their adoption of automation technologies.

For more information and to register for Automate 2026, visit automateshow.com.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. Members of A3 represent more than 1,450 manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups and consulting firms that drive automation forward worldwide.