(March 11, 2025) – Slovenia stands on the brink of a global technological transformation that will reshape the economy and society. At today’s national forum dedicated to Industry 5.0, key challenges, opportunities, and goals of this new industrial paradigm were presented. Industry 5.0 centers on people, sustainability, and economic resilience, creating synergy between advanced technologies and human needs. The forum was organized by Institute NAPREJ, Technology Park Ljubljana, and our Industry 5.0. Institute, together with numerous other partners.
Forum attendees gained insight into the essence of Industry 5.0. Renowned speakers addressed many questions, such as why the shift to Industry 5.0 is revolutionary, what changes it brings, and why fears of machines and robots overtaking humans are unfounded. Participants could also experience Industry 5.0 firsthand—testing VR glasses, engaging in conversations with an AI chatbot on the topic, and exploring the world of robotics.
KEY ASPECTS OF INDUSTRY 5.0
Industry 5.0 is not merely a technological upgrade—it represents a comprehensive shift toward a sustainable, human-centered economy. At the heart of this new industrial revolution is the integration of advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, digital twins, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—emphasizing reducing environmental impact and improving quality of life.
Dr. Jože Guna from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, emphasized that the transition to Industry 5.0 is a strategic move toward a future economy based on innovation, the circular economy, and cutting-edge technologies. “Slovenia has all the prerequisites for a successful transition, including strong academic and research support, which is essential for further development and practical implementation of new solutions,” he noted.
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND EU POLICIES
Mag. Ksenija Klampfer, Minister for Digital Transformation of the Republic of Slovenia, highlighted that the move to Industry 5.0 would position Slovenia as one of Europe’s leading countries in sustainable development and advanced technologies. “This transition will boost the competitiveness of our companies while encouraging innovation and creating new economic opportunities,” she stated.
Marko Lotrič, President of the National Council of Slovenia, stressed the importance of policy and legislation in facilitating the shift to Industry 5.0: “To manage the risks associated with this transition, we must build strong strategic partnerships among state institutions, companies, and research organizations. Only a coordinated approach between the economy, science, and the state will ensure Slovenia’s place among innovation leaders.”
He added that Slovenia has the opportunity to become a European pioneer of Industry 5.0—“now is the time to seize our potential and create conditions for a future built on advanced technologies, high quality of life, and economic resilience and environmental responsibility.”
Dr. Jernej Štromajer, Secretary of the Strategic Council for Economy at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, noted that a successful transition to Industry 5.0 would significantly boost Slovenia’s global competitiveness: “Industry 5.0 is an opportunity for Slovenia to become a leader in the application of technologies such as digitization, AI, and smart systems.”
MAIN ADVANTAGES OF INDUSTRY 5.0
Key benefits of transitioning to Industry 5.0 include:
- Creation of new jobs.
- Sustainability and circular economy – Industry 5.0 reduces the environmental footprint of industrial processes, resource consumption, and CO₂ emissions. Companies using digital twins and other technologies can optimize production and reduce waste and energy consumption. Developing self-healing materials, biocomposites, and nanomaterials enables more sustainable and powerful products. 3D printing and additive manufacturing bring greater flexibility and waste reduction.
- Human-centric approach – Unlike Industry 4.0, which focused on automation and connectivity, Industry 5.0 combines AI, robotics, and IoT with human intuition to create smarter and more adaptive production systems. Humans and machines collaborate in harmony.
Dr. Jernej Pintar, CEO of Technology Park Ljubljana, emphasized the importance of collaboration among companies, research institutions, and government: “Our role is to provide businesses with access to new technologies and support their implementation. At the same time, we must develop ecosystems that facilitate a smoother transition to advanced industrial models.” - Personalized production – Industry 5.0 allows for customer-specific production without increased cost or reduced efficiency. In Slovenia, more and more companies are incorporating Industry 5.0 principles. One example is HIProject, offering unique, advanced, and reliable thermal processing solutions. With a smart approach, they’ve linked heavy industry with green technology.
Urban Pevnik, Director of the Institute for Industry 5.0 and HIProject, presented how advanced technologies like AI and robotics are key to implementing Industry 5.0 in Slovenia: “Using technologies like digital twins, we are building more flexible, efficient, and sustainable production systems. This approach will enable companies to withstand economic and environmental challenges better.”
EU SUPPORT AND GLOBAL CONTEXT
Laura Roman, policy officer at the EU Commission Industry 5.0 unit, facilitating the CoP 5.0 platform, emphasized that the transition to Industry 5.0 benefits Slovenia and drives economic growth and sustainability across the EU. “By fostering the adoption of advanced technologies like IoT, AI, and robotics, together with new organizational innovation for human-centric businesses, the EU is helping companies shift to more competitive and sustainable business models,” she said.
The EU already supports numerous projects encouraging the transition to Industry 5.0 through initiatives like Horizon Europe, the European Green Deal, and the EU Industrial Strategy, fostering sustainable growth aligned with European goals.
BEST PRACTICES AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
Industry 5.0 is not exclusive to Europe—many countries around the world are adopting innovations based on advanced technologies.
Anton Horvatič, Director of the NAPREJ Institute, cited Sweden as an example, where small and medium-sized enterprises are already leveraging robotics and IoT to boost productivity and reduce costs. “Our institute’s mission is to strengthen the link between science and industry. Only this way can the Slovenian economy become more competitive with higher value-added products. Industry 5.0 is an opportunity to bridge the development gap with the world’s most advanced economies.”
Japan is already deeply engaged in this new industrial revolution, adapting society in response to demographic trends. In the United States, companies like Boston Dynamics are using AI-equipped robots for highly precise and personalized surgical procedures—just one of many examples of how Industry 5.0 is transforming industries and improving quality of life.
CLOSING REMARKS AND SLOVENIA’S FUTURE
At the forum’s conclusion, co-chair Tadej Slapnik emphasized that Slovenia has all the prerequisites for a successful Industry 5.0 transition: “If we seize the opportunities of this revolution and connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, we can become leaders in developing sustainable and advanced industrial models.”
A declaration was adopted at the forum, summarized by co-chair Aleš Pevc, calling for Slovenia’s active engagement in the development of Industry 5.0. It is vital for the country to recognize and tap into its potential in this field. We are entering a new era—a revolutionary Industry 5.0, blending human creativity with technology. Slovenia has the potential to become a leader in developing innovative and sustainable industrial solutions for the future.
