In short, AI will evolve from a passive advisory layer into an active execution layer, dramatically reducing the time between detecting a physical problem and resolving it.
Ram: Firstly, AI’ s escalating energy demand will continue to push manufacturers towards sophisticated, AI-driven energy management. They will increasingly need to leverage digital tools to intelligently managetheir own electricity consumption, optimising everything from peak load balancing to integrating distributed energy resources. The ability to‘ orchestrate’ energy use, like what we see in advanced electrified mobility solutions, will become essential to reduce operating costs and ensure uninterrupted production.
Secondly, the pressure placed on the grid by AI’ s growth will mean a much stronger, more urgent push for grid modernisation and expansion. This will encourage more investment in new transmission lines, substations and digital control systems. Such focus on a more resilient, flexible and digital grid, crucial for sustained growth and the integration of new technologies, will directly benefit manufacturers.
Finally, I believe AI will become more integrated into manufacturing’ s strategic‘ digital growth’ initiatives. This means moving beyond energy management to a broader application of AI for
80 May 2026