ARC Advisory Group hosted its 24th India Forum in Bangalore on July 9–10, 2026, bringing together more than 300 industry leaders, innovators, and technology providers. The forum, themed “How AI Is Driving the Future of Industrial Operations and Supply Chain”, focused on how artificial intelligence is transforming smart manufacturing, digital transformation in manufacturing, supply chain operations, and Industry 4.0.
The event opened with an eco-friendly plant-watering ceremony by the sponsors. G. Ganapathiraman, Vice President and General Manager of ARC Advisory Group India, delivered the welcome address and introduced the forum agenda. The keynote sessions then set the tone for discussions centered on practical AI strategies, responsible innovation, and measurable business outcomes.
Nearly 40 Industry Experts Share Real-World AI Applications
Throughout the two-day forum, nearly 40 executive speakers and panelists from diverse industries demonstrated how organizations are moving AI beyond pilot projects and into scalable industrial applications.
Key sessions covered:
Industrial AI and Data Fabric
Smart Manufacturing and Digitalization
Supply Chain Logistics and Planning
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Refinery Operations and Asset Reliability
Discrete Manufacturing
Software-Defined Applications
Open Process Automation (OPA)
Day 1 focused on AI in regulated environments, AI-driven leadership, and autonomous industrial operations. After the keynote sessions, end-user presentations ran in parallel track sessions.
Day 2 expanded the discussion to Industrial DataOps, Agentic AI, software-defined applications, O-PAS architectures, aerospace AI, and open process automation.
AI Emerges as a Core Driver of Industrial Transformation
Unlike previous editions that emphasized digital transformation and sustainability, this year’s forum delivered a clear message: AI is no longer a future concept—it is a present-day driver of industrial transformation.
Speakers demonstrated how AI is becoming embedded in everyday industrial operations through: predictive analytics, intelligent automation, real-time decision-making, faster operational response and resilient supply chain management.
AI-powered business insights
Panelists also emphasized that AI is helping enterprises improve asset reliability through predictive maintenance, optimize supply chains, automate routine tasks, and create new business opportunities through data-driven insights. One of the most discussed themes was Open Process Automation (OPA). The approach challenges the traditional automation pyramid and promotes a more open and interoperable industrial architecture. The Open Process Automation Forum is advancing the O-PAS standard, which aims to improve interoperability while maintaining safety, reliability, and cybersecurity.
For companies modernizing large-scale industrial systems, OPA offers several advantages greater vendor flexibility, long-term scalability, faster innovation cycles and reduced dependence on proprietary systems.
Industry Leaders Share Practical AI Adoption Lessons
Executives from multiple sectors shared their AI adoption journeys, providing practical insights for organizations at different stages of digital transformation.
Discussions highlighted:
How early adopters are scaling AI initiatives
Where companies are prioritizing investments
How responsible AI deployment aligns with business goals
Ways to balance innovation with sustainability and governance
The interactive panel discussions and Q&A sessions further explored how AI can deliver measurable improvements in resilience, sustainability, safety, productivity, and operational excellence. The forum’s success was reinforced by strong support from global technology companies, industry associations, and media partners.
AI Becomes Essential for Future-Ready Manufacturing
ARC Advisory Group’s 24th India Forum reinforced a powerful conclusion: AI is becoming the cornerstone of the next industrial revolution. For manufacturing executives, operations leaders, and IT decision-makers, adopting AI is no longer optional. Instead, it has become essential for building competitive, resilient, sustainable, and future-ready industrial enterprises. As per the press release, as industries accelerate their Industry 4.0 journeys, the forum demonstrated that organizations that effectively integrate industrial AI, smart manufacturing technologies, and open automation standards will be better positioned to lead the next phase of global industrial transformation.
