Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations 2025

Strategic imperatives for industrial operations transformation3 Transformation success hinges on a value- driven, end-to-end approach, grounded in strong organizational and technological foundations. The crucial considerations and steps of the AI journey described in Harnessing the AI Revolution in Industrial Operations: A Guidebook, published in October 2023, provide the starting point for manufacturers preparing to implement AI technologies at scale. However, the scope of considerations for frontier technologies, including AI agents, extends beyond those highlighted in the guidebook. To enhance industrial operations and meet new standards, manufacturers need to remain at the forefront of frontier innovations, prioritize value-driven strategies and develop robust organizational and technological foundations. 3.1 Paving the way for successful use of AI agents in industrial operations The transformation journey begins with the development of a clear vision for the future of operations that’s aligned with the organization’s long-term objectives. The journey’s success depends on how well the reason behind the transformation is articulated. Although AI agents and frontier technologies are provoking great excitement, it is essential to avoid being captivated by technological advancements alone. Technology, by itself, will not generate value and is only one of several success factors for sustainable transformation. For example, embodied AI-enabled automation solutions should be pursued only if they bring a significant return on investment or can contribute to larger applications. Successful manufacturers have adopted a value- driven, end-to-end perspective. Furthermore, while proving value quickly is important to build trust within the organization, ensuring the scalability of the solutions from the outset is crucial. Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations 18