The AI Revolution Across Manufacturing: Smarter Factories, Greener Mobility

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved beyond being a futuristic concept to become a transformative force reshaping global manufacturing. It has unlocked the power of intelligence beyond automation, from predictive analytics and machine learning in production to intelligent supply chains and energy-efficient operations. As manufacturers seek agility, sustainability and operational excellence, AI is emerging as the foundation of Industry 4.0 and paving the way for Industry 5.0, where human-machine collaboration reaches its peak.

- Anushka Vani Editor (Print & Digital)

India aims to become a global manufacturing hub, driven by policies like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and an expanding range of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. The PLI architecture has become the fiscal backbone of India's self-reliance push. Across 14 strategic sectors the approved outlay totals roughly ₹1.97 lakh crore. While utilisation has been uneven, the schemes are catalysing investment: government and advisory tallies point to thousands of approved applications, double-digit billion-dollar production gains, rising export contributions and expanded domestic value addition, especially in electronics where local output has surged and imports have been displaced.

The rise of AI-driven manufacturing systems is set to deliver intelligent automation, self-learning production lines and predictive maintenance, which will significantly reduce downtime and improve productivity. Meanwhile, the automotive sector is undergoing a fundamental shift towards greener mobility, supported by AI in electric vehicles (EVs), battery management systems and supply chain optimisation for sustainable transport.

Against this backdrop, Efficient Manufacturing organised IndustryNxt’25, a flagship event dedicated to shaping the future of manufacturing through knowledge sharing and collaboration. The event brought together thought leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders from across the manufacturing ecosystem to exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies, and address the challenges and opportunities in the evolving industrial landscape. The event theme, “The AI Revolution Across Manufacturing Sector: Smarter Factories, Greener Mobility,” underscored the transformative potential of AI in creating advanced, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing ecosystems.