Industry 5.0, AI and India: Schneider Electric’s Ms. Barbara Frei on making factories smarter

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to drive the next industrial revolution, transforming manufacturing beyond automation. AI-driven processes are at the core of Industry 5.0, which differs from Industry 4.0 by integrating human intelligence with advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and open automation. This shift enables more agile, adaptive, and sustainable industrial ecosystems. AI’s role in manufacturing is expanding from real-time edge computing to generative AI, which could soon automate system design, reducing engineering time and improving efficiency. Predictive maintenance and AI-driven machine vision also address the shortage of nearly eight million workers in quality inspection roles.   

The need for efficiency, labour optimisation, and competitiveness drives the global adoption of AI and automation. AI is revolutionising quality control through visual inspection, reducing manufacturing errors, and supporting industrial decarbonisation. As industries contribute over 40% of global CO₂ emissions, AI-driven energy optimisation is crucial in sustainability efforts. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and collaborative robots (cobots) further enhance automation by enabling real-time data exchange and human-machine collaboration. India is rapidly adopting these technologies, driven by government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and increasing digitalisation in manufacturing. However, successful automation requires investment in upskilling and workforce alignment, ensuring that Industry 5.0 fosters technological progress and human expertise. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.