AI, IoT, robotics, big data analytics driving shift toward smart factories, says Aveva

The global manufacturing landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and big data analytics acting as the primary catalysts for a widespread shift towards smart factories. This was the key message from industrial software leader Aveva, delivered at their Aveva Day India 2025 event in Mumbai today.

According to Aveva, this convergence of advanced technologies, termed “industrial intelligence,” is not merely an incremental upgrade but a fundamental redefinition of industrial operations. Smart factories, powered by these innovations, promise optimized efficiency, unparalleled agility, and continuous innovation across the entire value chain.

“India stands at the forefront of a profound industrial transformation, driven by the dual imperatives of economic growth and sustainability,” stated Ajit Kulkarni, Vice President, India Market Leader at Aveva. He emphasized that the challenge lies not just in adopting new technology but in fostering effortless collaboration and building a skilled workforce capable of effectively leveraging these tools. “Industrial intelligence is the key to unlocking the true value of data to achieve India’s national goals,” Kulkarni added, highlighting Aveva’s role in helping enterprises convert siloed information into actionable insights for scaling innovation and sustainable global leadership.

The company highlighted how its end-to-end digital solutions are instrumental in enabling Indian enterprises to break down data silos, enhance operational efficiency, and establish intelligent, connected ecosystems across critical sectors like energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and utilities.

Chris Lee, Senior Vice President, APAC, Aveva, underscored the strategic importance of industrial AI in this evolving landscape. “As businesses rethink their strategies, industrial AI is emerging as the cornerstone of this shift, enabling greater agility, closing skill gaps, and accelerating the transition to cleaner, smarter operations,” Lee commented. He reiterated Aveva’s commitment to supporting India’s ambition to become a globally competitive and sustainable industrial hub.

The shift towards smart factories leverages IoT to connect machines and devices, generating vast amounts of real-time data. AI then processes this data, utilizing machine learning and predictive analytics to identify patterns, forecast issues, optimize production schedules, and enhance quality control. Robotics, meanwhile, handles repetitive and precise tasks with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The amalgamation of these technologies allows for predictive maintenance, optimized resource utilization, and autonomous responses, top to significant improvements in operational efficiency and reduced waste.

This move towards intelligent automation is set to redefine job roles within manufacturing, demanding new skills in data analysis, AI interpretation, and human-robot collaboration. Ultimately, smart factories represent a critical leap forward, enabling manufacturers to navigate complex global challenges, boost productivity, and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly data-driven world.