Industry 5.0, AI and India: on making factories smart on Barbara Frei of Schnider Electric

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now expected to run the next industrial revolution. Factories already have adequate automation, but AI-powered manufacturing may soon bring significant changes and the industry has taken the center stage in 5.0 ERA. Unlike industry 4.0, which focused on automation, connectivity and data-managed decision making, industry integrates human intelligence with advanced technologies such as AI, robotics and open automation-promotes more agitated, adapted and permanent industrial ecosystem.

Barbara freeEVP – Industrial automation in Schneider Electric, in a freewing conversation Debashis governmentShares significant insights on the next industrial revolution. Part.

Question: AI is rapidly integrated into industrial automation. How do you see its role developing?

A: AI is integral to industrial solutions for many years. About 17 years ago, we introduced products with embedded AI including machine learning and advanced process control. Today, AI has developed to include real -time edge computing and generic AI.

Generative AI, in particular, has significant ability in engineering. In the future, engineers may no longer require a manually design system on a large screen. Instead, they can only input application requirements, and AI will generate customized automation solutions. This change may again define how industrial automation is contacted, making it more efficient and innovative.

In addition, the adoption of AI and Machine Learning (ML) is changing industries to make future maintenance and intelligent decisions. AI-powered machine vision is addressing a shortage of about 8 million workers in quality inspection roles. Beyond quality control, AI reduces engineering time and improves operating efficiency, which is motivated by the need to increase productivity and compensate for labor lack.

Question: Industries worldwide are rapidly adopting AI and automation. Do you think this change is being inspired by needs or external pressures?

A: Adoption of AI and automation is mainly operated, as businesses try to increase productivity, remove labor deficiency and remain competitive in a developed industrial scenario. While external factors such as regulatory policies and stability targets play a role, the core driver remains a need for greater efficiency, agility and flexibility.

Today is one of the most important AI applications, visual inspection, improving quality control and reducing manufacturing errors. Additionally, industrial decarbonisation is accelerating the adoption of AI. Industrial Area – Including eminars and factories – global CO, for more than 40% of emissions, makes the largest contributor to climate change. AI-operated energy optimization and automation technologies are important in reducing emissions, improvement of resource efficiency and achieving stability goals.

Beyond the energy management, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) is changing operations by enabling the real-time data exchange, while the collaborative robots are redefined the human-masine interaction. The convergence of AI, robotics, and energy technologies – is associated with advanced data management – bringing revolution in industries, running both stability and competition in the era of digital change.

Question: What are the major global trends in industrial automation in the last one year? How is India compared in terms of adoption?

A: In the last one year, industrial automation has been shaped by major trends such as AI and ML-Future Maintenance Maintenance, Industrial Decarbonisation, IIOT and allied robots adopt, and open automation change towards open automation for software, more flexibility and efficiency. Along with reducing automation adaptation resources and emissions, stability remains a top priority. While digital change is important for competition, a McKiny study found that less than 26% of companies successfully implemented it due to organizational challenges such as cross-functional cooperation. However, adoption is improving as the leadership team actively runs digital initiatives. In India, automation is accelerating adoption, inspired by governmental initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and focusing on smart manufacturing.

Question: You have mentioned leadership support. Do you think there are deliberate attempts to oppose automation and AI due to concerns about job loss or lack of expertise?

A: In Schnider Electric, we believe that success goes by hand with successful automation and AI implementation disk. When organizations start these projects, it is important to invest in continuous learning so that employees understand not only the possibilities but also the limits of these technologies.

We focus on equipping our people with the right skill to effectively run this change, ensuring alignment in the organization. A clear vision is necessary – a clear one that gives employees the right to adapt and flourish in a developed industrial landscape. This approach is at the origin of the industry 5.0, where technology and human expertise comes together to create sustainable and efficient systems.

Question: Open automation is gaining momentum. What is your approach to this?

A: The speed behind open automation is indisputable, and its impact on industries is transformative. With about 40% of the industries contributing to global emissions, it is important to solve the stability challenges, adaptation, digitizing and electrification operations. While digitization and automation improvement, many existing automation solutions are ownership, restricting data access at IT levels and limiting integration capabilities.

The open automation originally poured this difference by integrating data from the operational technology (OT). Since approximately 80% of factory data is generated through automation, open automation enables companies in orchestrate systems at various levels and reduces hardware from software. This flexibility allows software updates without hardware dependence, ensures agility, reduces unnecessary costs, and increases overall efficiency.

Question: How do you see the future of industries in India regarding automation and AI?

A: India has a tremendous opportunity to become a global leader in industrial automation, which is run by AI, digitization and open automation. Country is making significant progress in apology, investing in digitalization, and adopting advanced technologies, giving itself a place for the future of smart manufacturing. However, to succeed this change, a high efficient workforce, permanent energy source, and a strong logistics infrastructure must align. While challenges such as skill interval and inheritance infrastructure remains, commitment to India’s digitization, government initiatives like ‘Make in India,’, and increasing automation in areas such as energy, manufacturing and infrastructure indicate strong pace.