Decoder with Nilay Patel Siemens CEO's mission to automate everything
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Feb 9, 2026 
Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens and leader of its push into digital transformation and automation. He talks about how Siemens builds industrial hardware and software, the rise of digital twins and industrial AI, automation’s effect on jobs and society, and strategies for resilience amid shifting trade and localization pressures.
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Empower Locally, Hold Teams Accountable
- Empower decision-making at the lowest possible level within clear strategic boundaries and accountability.
- Give teams freedom to act but require measurable responsibility for outcomes.
Pride In Mechanical And Mobility Work
- Roland Busch describes low-voltage and mobility teams who build mechanical products yet feel part of Siemens' tech story.
- He cites trains and Egypt's rail project to show pride and tangible impact beyond AI buzzwords.
Global Footprint With Local Manufacturing
- Siemens favors free trade but maintains heavy local-for-local production to stay resilient amid rising tariffs.
- Roland Busch reports high local content and targeted investments in U.S., India and China to limit tariff exposure.