INTO GERMANY is the German business podcast in the English language.
Every month we take a fast-paced but in-depth look at one of the hottest sectors and round up some of the most intriguing stories from Europe’s largest economy.
Whether you’re an international businessperson already into Germany or just curious about EXPANDING your company to the heart of the EU, we’ve got lots of on-the-ground success stories. Plus some helpful hints about how Germany works – and could work for you.
So tune in every month to INTO GERMANY! Because Germany means business.
Send feedback and comments to andreas.bilfinger@gtai.com
A podcast by Germany Trade & Invest.
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany.
You can find more information on https://www.gtai.de/en/invest
Robotics has long been a cornerstone of German industry, and now a new generation of intelligent machines is emerging. Whereas earlier robots were largely designed for repetitive, predefined tasks, advances in artificial intelligence are enabling robots to navigate complex environments, learn new tasks and increasingly work alongside people.
For companies, the shift opens up new possibilities for automation, greater efficiency and entirely new applications – from intralogistics and manufacturing to healthcare and defense. At the same time, the growing capabilities raise questions around how humans and machines will work together and how businesses can integrate those systems into their operations.
Germany has by far and away Europe’s highest robot density. With its strong industrial base, research expertise and established automation market, it is positioning itself as a key player in this transformation. And there are plenty of opportunities for international companies to become part of this growing Germany’s ecosystem.
Our guests:
Marcus Liebhardt is Head of AMR Europe at Yujin Robot, a Korean-based robotics company that recently expanded to Berlin. He’s helping expand the use of Autonomous Mobile Robots across European markets, bringing new levels of automation and efficiency to intralogistics.
Lorenzo Masia is Director of the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) at the Technical University of Munich, one of Germany’s leading research centers for robotics. His work focuses on driving innovation at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence and human-machine interaction.
21 Jun 2026
Germany’s New Business Strategy: Martin Blessing on Industry, Innovation and Growth
How can Germany remain an attractive destination for international business expansions? Martin Blessing, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’ point man on investments and foreign business expansions explains how the country is positioning itself in a changing global economy, and why Germany is still central for companies looking to scale up in Europe.
Germany is adapting its investment strategy in response to global competition, technological change and shifting industrial dynamics. In this episode of Into Germany, we speak with Martin Blessing, former CEO of Commerzbank and, since late 2025, government commissioner and chairman of the supervisory board of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI).
He explains how the country aims to strengthen its position as a location for industry, innovation and sustainable growth. We explore what makes Germany attractive for today’s growth-hungry international companies – from its strong industrial base to emerging sectors such as AI and space technologies – and where structural challenges still need to be addressed.
Our guest:
Martin Blessing is a German banker and business executive. He served as CEO of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016 and held senior roles at UBS and McKinsey. In late 2025, he was appointed commissioner and chairman of the supervisory board of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), where he is responsible for the strategic oversight of Germany’s investment promotion efforts.
10 May 2026
From Assistance to Action: The Rise of Agentic AI
Artificial intelligence has changed the way companies work, and now a new phase is emerging. Whereas earlier systems could only respond to prompts, Agentic AI is designed to handle entire workflows.
For companies, the shift is profound, as it promises greater efficiency, faster decision-making and entirely new ways of structuring work. At the same time, it raises important questions around control, accountability and integration into existing business processes.
Germany, with its strong industrial base and growing AI ecosystem, is positioning itself as a key player in this transformation. Companies and institutions across the country are exploring how agentic AI can be scaled responsibly and effectively. And there’s lots of room for international companies to enter the market.
Our guests:
Daniela Rittmeier is a supervisory board member, advisor and head of Capgemini’s Generative AI Accelerator, leading AI integration and scaling across industries and value chains. With over 20 years of experience driving transformation and innovation, she’s a thought leader in sustainable, anthropocentric AI and an advocate for women in technology and digital education.
Des Traynor is co‑founder and chief strategy officer of the customer messaging and support platform Intercom, which has expanded to Germany. He has driven Intercom’s shift toward AI‑first product strategy and development, including the creation of AI agents such as Fin.
Who has been a guest on INTO GERMANY! The German Business Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Julia Braune
Professor Thomas Fritz
Armin Reinartz
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,071,695
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
4.7 / 5
16 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
66
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
97
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