In his talk at the 2026 acatech General Assembly, Gianaurelio Cuniberti highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and advanced materials research. He explored how AI accelerates the discovery of new materials and how these materials, in turn, enable next-generation technologies such as intelligent sensors, robotics, and physical AI. Drawing on examples from his research in Dresden, including electronic noses that allow robots to detect and distinguish odors, he emphasized the importance of connecting digital intelligence with the physical world. He concluded with a call for Germany and Europe to embrace technological innovation with greater courage, speed, and ambition, turning their strong scientific foundations into real-world applications and global competitiveness.