Schneider Electric’s Barbara Frei on Industry 5.0 and AI in India’s Smart Factories
Team Finance Saathi
11/Mar/2025

What's Covered Under the Article:
- Industry 5.0 merges AI and human intelligence for agile and sustainable factories.
- AI-driven automation enhances quality control, predictive maintenance, and efficiency.
- India’s adoption of AI in manufacturing is accelerating under ‘Make in India.’
The next industrial revolution is here, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at its core. Industry 5.0, the evolution beyond Industry 4.0, brings together human intelligence and advanced automation to build agile, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing ecosystems. According to Ms. Barbara Frei, Executive Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, AI is reshaping the future of manufacturing by enabling factories to be smarter, more adaptive, and more sustainable.
The Shift from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0
Unlike Industry 4.0, which focused on automation, data exchange, and smart factories, Industry 5.0 adds human expertise back into the equation. AI is no longer just about automating processes—it’s about enhancing human-machine collaboration through real-time edge computing, generative AI, and predictive maintenance.
Schneider Electric sees Industry 5.0 as a major leap forward, where AI can:
- Automate system design using generative AI, reducing engineering time.
- Enhance quality control through AI-driven visual inspection, addressing workforce shortages.
- Predict machine failures with AI-powered maintenance, reducing downtime.
- Optimize energy usage, cutting CO₂ emissions in decarbonisation efforts.
AI and the Future of Manufacturing
With industries contributing over 40% of global CO₂ emissions, AI-driven energy management is now a key part of sustainability. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and collaborative robots (cobots) enable real-time data exchange and seamless human-machine collaboration. These innovations are set to reshape production lines, making them more efficient and cost-effective.
Schneider Electric’s Vision for India
India is rapidly embracing AI and automation, thanks to initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and the increasing digitalisation of manufacturing. Companies in India are adopting predictive maintenance, AI-driven robotics, and smart automation to boost efficiency and reduce costs. However, successful AI integration requires investment in upskilling workers, ensuring that automation complements human expertise rather than replacing it.
The Road Ahead
Industry 5.0 is about synergy—leveraging AI, robotics, and human intelligence to create a new era of smart factories. As Schneider Electric continues to drive innovation, India is poised to become a global leader in AI-driven manufacturing. With the right strategies in place, AI will not only transform industries but also redefine the workforce, making manufacturing smarter, greener, and more human-centric.
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