The Rise of Industrial AI in Smart Manufacturing Highlighted at ARC India Forum
The ARC Advisory Group’s 23rd India Forum, held on July 10-11, 2025, wasn’t just another tech conference. It was a vibrant convergence of over 300 industry leaders, technology pioneers, and forward-thinking executives who gathered to explore one defining theme: how artificial intelligence is no longer knocking at the door—it’s already in the boardroom, the factory floor, and the control room.
Under the banner “Winning in the Industrial AI Era,” this two-day event in Bangalore unpacked how AI is rapidly transforming smart manufacturing and shaping the next era of digital industrialisation. The tone was set with a refreshingly symbolic “eco-friendly watering of plants” during the inaugural ceremony—a green gesture performed by the event’s seven sponsors. It was a fitting metaphor for nurturing innovation.
In his welcome address, G. Ganapathiraman, Vice President and General Manager of ARC Advisory Group, India, framed the agenda: “We’re witnessing a pivotal shift. AI is no longer a concept. It’s the lifeblood of tomorrow’s industrial success stories.”
From Buzzword to Backbone
This year’s forum sent a clear message: AI has moved beyond hype and headlines. It is now firmly woven into the operational fabric of industrial enterprises. Whether the sessions focused on analytics, cybersecurity, process automation, or system interoperability, AI consistently emerged as the common thread.
Key capabilities powered by AI were brought to the fore:
- Real-time decision-making through actionable data insights
- Predictive maintenance to reduce downtime and save costs
- Supply chain intelligence for dynamic, agile operations
- Workforce augmentation by automating repetitive tasks
- Data-driven innovation enabling new business models
Executives from major industrial sectors took the stage to offer tangible examples. From steel plants using machine learning to optimise blast furnaces, to pharmaceutical firms employing AI for real-time batch quality control, the message was loud and clear: smart machines are redefining smart manufacturing.
Open Process Automation
One standout session honed in on the disruptive potential of Open Process Automation (OPA). Unlike conventional, rigid automation models, OPA promotes interoperability, flexibility, and vendor neutrality—key traits for future-ready industries.
The Open Process Automation Forum, a global consortium of industry stakeholders, is developing the O-PAS (Open Process Automation Standard) framework. This modular architecture is gaining traction among sectors reliant on large-scale control systems, such as oil & gas, power, and chemicals.
The advantages of OPA resonated throughout the discussion:
- Improved scalability across complex systems
- Enhanced system reliability and safety
- Freedom from vendor lock-in
- Easier integration of AI-based decision layers
Speakers underscored how this open model could serve as the scaffolding for the intelligent industrial ecosystems of the future.
Real-World AI Journeys
No forum on industrial AI would be complete without a reality check. The ARC India Forum featured around 40 executives and panelists who provided just that. Through presentations and panel discussions, they shed light on the ups, downs, and lessons from AI deployments in their own operations.
Participants gained valuable insights into:
- How early adopters successfully scaled AI across departments
- What investment strategies yielded the best returns
- How to tackle integration issues in legacy systems
- Approaches to ethical, secure, and responsible AI adoption
One recurring theme was alignment: ensuring that AI implementations aren’t isolated tech projects, but strategic business enablers. Panelists encouraged attendees to build strong internal partnerships between operations, IT, and C-suite leadership.
A Collective of Innovators
The event’s impact was amplified by the backing of influential sponsors, whose presence also reflected the collaborative nature of industrial innovation.
Platinum Sponsors:
- OPC Foundation
- Yokogawa
Global Sponsors:
- Siemens
- Smar
Gold Sponsor:
- Red Hat
Silver Sponsors:
- AsInt
- Utthunga
Media Partners:
- Highways Today
- Chemical Industry Digest
- electronicspecifier.com
- IED Communications
- Industrial Automation
- SME (formerly Industrial Products Finder)
- Technology Record
- World of Chemicals and Chemical Today
The sponsors not only supported the event financially but also provided expert speakers, demos, and real-world case studies that enriched the learning experience.
Navigating the Now with Confidence
If there was one takeaway from ARC’s 23rd India Forum, it was this: industrial organisations can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. The AI wave has already reshaped the terrain, and those who embrace it will find themselves at a competitive advantage.
As industries edge toward fully connected, intelligent systems, the conversation must shift from experimentation to execution. The era of Industrial AI isn’t just beginning—it’s already in motion.
Ganapathiraman concluded the event with a powerful reminder: “The future belongs to those who are ready to learn, adapt, and lead. And AI is our strongest ally in that journey.”
