14:40
–
15:15
August 7, 2026
Manufacturing is entering a decisive period shaped by the convergence of physical systems, digital technologies, and intelligent software. Industry 4.0 represents the latest phase in a long industrial evolution—from mechanization and electrification to automation—distinguished by cyber-physical systems, pervasive connectivity, and real-time data exchange. This shift is not defined by a single technology, but by the integration of IoT, digital twins, advanced analytics, and AI into core manufacturing and supply-chain operations, fundamentally changing how value is created, delivered, and sustained.
As manufacturers progress along this journey, maturity models and global benchmarks reveal a widening gap between leaders and laggards. High-performing organizations are characterized by strong digital threads that connect design, production, supply chain, and service, enabling continuous feedback loops and faster decision-making. Data becomes a strategic asset when it is contextualized, trusted, and operationalized across the enterprise, allowing organizations to move beyond siloed optimization toward end-to-end visibility, resilience, and adaptability in increasingly volatile markets.
Industry 4.0 also drives a profound shift in business models and innovation strategies. Products are no longer endpoints; they become platforms for ongoing digital services, lifecycle insights, and new revenue mechanisms. This transition requires manufacturers to rethink organizational structures, technology adoption patterns, and customer relationships, aligning engineering, operations, and commercial functions around outcomes rather than outputs. Ultimately, success in the Industry 4.0 era depends not only on adopting advanced technologies, but on deliberately designing systems, processes, and strategies that unlock sustained innovation and long-term relevance.
This session will not be a traditional presentation. Instead, it will be an interactive "Ask Anything" discussion, designed to explore the real-world opportunities, challenges, and lessons emerging from Industry 4.0 adoption. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with ask questions, challenge assumptions, and dive into the practical issues.
AI Pilot Purgatory

Industry 4.0 Analyst & Enthusiast (US)
Simon Brown-Greaves
Assure
John Searls
John Searls Consulting
Alberto Landeaux
DP World (UAE)
