Introduction Frontier technologies have pushed the limits of what is possible in industrial operations over the past decades, significantly boosting productivity, reducing costs and improving the work environment. Innovations like robotics and the industrial internet of things (IIoT) have been instrumental in modernizing operations and laying the foundation for the next wave of breakthroughs. Today, the technological landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. This progress is primarily driven by the exponential increases in computing power and breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) society is currently witnessing. As new frontier technologies emerge, manufacturers face the key challenge of discerning which innovations will bring lasting value at scale, and which are merely transient trends. This creates uncertainty around where to focus development efforts and investments. Overcoming these challenges is essential. Harnessing the value of frontier technologies is now vital for manufacturers as they seek to maintain a competitive edge and tackle industry-specific obstacles. To retain a leading position in the evolving landscape, companies must not only adopt these innovations but also understand the transformative impact on the future of operations. Success in this journey hinges on answering a few key questions: –What will the future of industrial operations look like? –Where is the real value in this transformation? –Which frontier technologies will address key challenges? –What steps need to be taken to realize value at scale? Drawing on insights from experts and executives across operations and technology, this white paper provides a strategic perspective on these questions, with a focus on AI-agent-enabled transformation. It presents a forward-looking vision of AI-driven, near-autonomous industrial operations. It explores the role of AI agents in enabling this vision, specifically virtual AI and embodied AI agents, offering concrete examples and case studies to demonstrate their value. Additionally, it outlines the strategic imperatives necessary for successfully scaling these technologies. While AI agents hold transformative potential, it is crucial to recognize that they are not yet fully developed. Leading companies are running pilots to test their capabilities, with their at-scale impact to be realized in the coming years. Although not covered in this white paper, other frontier technologies – such as biotechnology and quantum technology – are generating significant interest. These technologies hold the potential to revolutionize manufacturing operations, either directly or indirectly, but remain in earlier stages of development.AI agents are transforming industrial operations, driving efficiency and unlocking competitive advantages. The two types of AI agents BOX 1 Virtual AI agents Software-based AI agents that operate entirely in the digital environment and enable digital applications to autonomously achieve defined goalsEmbodied AI agents AI agents integrated into physical systems – such as robots – that interact with the physical environment As new frontier technologies emerge, manufacturers face the key challenge of discerning which innovations will bring lasting value at scale, and which are merely transient trends. Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations 6

Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations 2025