AI in Manufacturing: Building Autonomous AI Agents for Industrial Process Optimization. Brian DeBois joins Kudzai Manditereza on the podcast to share how to leverage artificial intelligence and autonomous AI agents to optimize manufacturing operations and improve efficiency.

They discuss the possibilities of using AI to achieve factory automation, solve problems, and improve production efficiency. Tune in to learn about the latest tech innovation in manufacturing. Brian DeBois, Director of Industrial AI at RoviSys, has spent 25 years in manufacturing and six years specifically building AI solutions for the plant floor. His team has learned one critical lesson: operationalizing AI, not just building it, is where the real value lives. And after 75% of AI models never make it to production, it's clear the industry needs a different approach.

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00:00 – Introduction

05:24 – What are the top operational challenges AI is uniquely positioned to solve?

09:26 – Are AI “co-pilots” the right model for manufacturing operations?

12:08 – What does it mean to “operationalize AI” on the plant floor?

16:07 – Why pilots often fail: the gap between proof-of-concept and real adoption

16:59 – What does a typical industrial AI architecture look like?

21:37 – How do you integrate industrial AI solutions with legacy OT & IT systems?

27:14 – The role of Digital Twins: how they connect with Industrial AI

32:11 – Real-world case study: glass bottle manufacturer using Industrial AI agents

36:04 – Closing the loop: when should industrial AI take direct control of processes?

40:27 – Measuring ROI: what metrics should leaders track for AI in manufacturing?

45:16 – What does the customer engagement roadmap look like? (workshops, assessments, solutions)

50:13 – Why do so many AI projects fail — and how to avoid common pitfalls

54:37 – Prediction: the future of AI agents in manufacturing (reinforcement learning + generative AI)