A new global survey of more than 1,700 senior executives reveals that industrial AI is advancing faster than expected.

Industrial robotics is experiencing a transformative shift, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation technologies. No longer confined to repetitive assembly tasks, robots have become central to the future of manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and industrial maintenance. As companies demand greater efficiency, precision, and adaptability, robotics is evolving from a supportive tool to a strategic asset.

The concept of the digital twin has matured. What began as a passive mirror of physical systems has evolved into a strategic, intelligent asset, capable of sensemaking, foresight, and context-driven adaptation. This article explores how digital twins have advanced through successive generations, why physics-based modelling is now essential, and how hybrid approaches like Physics-Informed Neural Networks offer the key to navigating unpredictable, high-risk scenarios—the so-called Black Swan events.

Cognitive maintenance and the end of failure