IFA 2026 kicks off in Berlin and once again AI is driving the conversation

IFA, the world's leading event for home and consumer technologies celebrating over a century of innovation, has kicked off today in Berlin and is set to run for 5 days. Since 1924, IFA Berlin has been the global platform where technology leaders, innovators and industry experts come together to showcase groundbreaking products and shape the future of consumer electronics. 

This year the show is expected to attract over 220,000 attendees from 140 countries who are coming to see over 1,900 exhibitors, with 80% of trade visitors set to be key decision makers.

Alongside sustainability, the big story at last year's show was how brands were harnessing the power of AI in home appliances, and this year the continued focus is expected to be smart kitchens, energy-efficiency, and the connected home. 

When it comes to AI-supported solutions, manufacturers are now said to be looking at genuine practicality, and how AI is actually becoming properly useful enough to change people's lives, for instance, enabling products to take actions for users, rather than simply offering the convenience of control via an app. 

In his opening speech at the IFA Opening Press Conference, Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Management, described technological development as progressing much faster than previous industrial transformations. Artificial intelligence is no longer learning only to create content and solve complex tasks, he said – it is increasingly beginning to operate in the physical world.

“The future is no longer something on the distant horizon. The future is now. But technology alone does not create progress. It only reaches its full potential when people can understand it, try it out and help shape it. That is exactly what IFA stands for: We make innovation tangible and provide guidance at a time when technology is changing faster than ever before.”

In the build-up to this year's show during the 'Media Days', manufacturers presented their latest innovations to the global press. Under the slogan ‘The end of housework is in sight’, Miele demonstrated how smart technologies can make everyday life more comfortable, and is unveiling new solutions for smart dishwashing, cooking and laundry. A key focus is on the company's new G8 Diamond dishwasher, which recognises the load and types of crockery and automatically adjusts the washing cycle accordingly. Other highlights include the AI-based cooking assistant and the ‘Cary’ concept study, which uses sensors and AI to recognise fabrics and control the washing cycle accordingly.

Siemens is showcasing new smart household appliances for the kitchen and laundry, such as a new oven that automatically recognises more than 100 dishes and also saves the user's favourite recipes. With its new washer-dryer, Siemens has also unveiled an energy-efficient 2-in-1 appliance featuring heat pump technology.

AEG is placing the kitchen of tomorrow centre stage with highlights including the first AEG hob with a specially developed OnePot Pasta function, which automates key steps in preparing pasta, while Liebherr is also showcasing new intelligent technology designed to optimise freezer operation and further enhance efficiency and convenience.

In addition, Bosch, Samsung and LG will be unveiling a raft of new products, and the Chinese appliance presence is set to be huge with Hisense, Haier, and Midea among those showcasing their innovations. 

Plus, as an extra bonus this year, a dedicated outdoor cooking and gardening area has been introduced to bring home appliances to the open air, from smart grills and compact pizza ovens, to outdoor leisure cooking tech.

Pictured top: Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Management, left, with Carine Chardon, MD of GFU Consumer & Home Electronics, at the IFA 2026 Opening Press Conference.