Beyond Programming: How Autonomous AI Systems are Rewriting the Rules of Industrial Automation

The traditional approach to industrial automation has relied heavily on rule-based programming, which struggles in the face of variability, complexity, and change. In contrast, next-generation autonomous systems, powered by Physical AI, offer a paradigm shift: systems that learn, adapt, and optimize autonomously in real-world conditions. In this session, Dr. Denis Garagić, CTO of Palladyne AI Corp., will introduce attendees to the core concepts and different approaches behind AI-enabled autonomy and explain why it is crucial for the future of manufacturing resilience, agility, and productivity.

Dennis will highlight how AI-enabled automation can unlock ROI not just by reducing labor, but by making production systems smarter, more adaptable, and capable of handling complexity at scale. Real-world case studies will be shared, illustrating how manufacturers across sectors such as transportation, energy, and advanced materials are starting to reframe automation projects around adaptability rather than rigid preprogramming.