4Who leads it: Empowering the new industrial workforce Robotics must be embedded not only as a short-term cost lever but also as a long-term strategic enabler of excellence – led by people empowered by the skills needed to succeed. Leaders are advised to move beyond viewing single robotics use cases as only a short-term cost reduction tool and instead embrace those new automation opportunities as a strategic enabler of long-term operational success and resilience. 4.1 A target picture for robotics and workforce development 4.2 A shift in skills and rolesThis shift requires a clear automation target picture considering all robotics applications and an execution plan – one that also looks at long- term workforce development. Intelligent robotics, when deployed strategically, can adapt to variability, reduce operational errors and sustain performance amid workforce shortages or supply- chain disruptions. One of the most immediate and tangible impacts is on workplace safety: robotics can absorb tasks involving lifting, repetitive motion or exposure to hazardous environments – common causes of injury. At Amazon, sites integrating robotics have seen a 15% reduction in incident rates, as employees transition into roles focused on oversight, diagnostics and continuous improvement.13 Additionally, human-centric system designs enable workers to transition into safer, more fulfilling roles that employ their cognitive strengths. For example, robust.AI develops robots as intuitive, supportive teammates to reduce complexity and improve collaboration on the shop floor.14 This technological leap also redefines the role of humans in industrial settings. As physical AI automates manual tasks, certain traditional job categories may be displaced. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, “robots and autonomous systems” are projected to be the leading driver of net job displacement by 2030.15 Yet this displacement is not just a disappearance – it is a transition. New skilled roles are emerging that centre on supervising intelligent systems, resolving edge cases and optimizing system performance.The rise of physical AI is not just a technological advance; it is a structural transformation in how industrial work is designed, executed and experienced. Physical AI: Powering the New Age of Industrial Operations 18

Physical AI Powering the New Age of Industrial Operations 2025