Upskilling the industrial workforce for the age of AI

Digital innovations and AI are transforming industrial workplaces, paving the way towards autonomous operations. But how do we balance the expectations of the next generation with the needs of existing employees – and give industrial operators practical ways to accelerate digital adoption?  In this episode of Industry Optimized, host Fran Scott speaks to David Lincoln, Digital Lead at ABB’s Measurement & Analytics division. Together they discuss how to upskill today’s workforce to become truly digitally native – confident, capable, and ready to master the tools shaping the future of industry. We also hear from students at Imperial College London on what they expect their future work environment to look like.    Thank you to Dr Colin Hale and Imperial College London for inviting us to the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant and to Baikai (Carleo) Zhu, Leo Fa and Golden (Xiao Xuan) Goh for sharing their insights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With global electricity demand on the rise, the need for reliable power is becoming increasingly critical. Nuclear power is fast emerging as a critical part of this future infrastructure, with small modular reactors, or SMRs, gaining particular attention.  Scalable, flexible and able to provide consistently high load factors, SMRs are emerging as an important technology for a reliable, low-carbon energy system.  In this episode of Industry Optimized, host Fran Scott speaks to Jacob Stedman, CEO of Blykalla, and Elova Ryegard, Nuclear Expert, Energy Industries at ABB. Together they discuss what a low-carbon future might look like, how SMRs can complement both renewable and conventional nuclear energy sources and why they’re increasingly seen as a practical pathway to expanding low-carbon energy capacity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digitalization is transforming the shipping industry - but its true power lies in supporting human expertise. Technology helps crews when navigating routes - it enables them to make smarter, safer, and more effective decisions. But how can digital tools empower human talent without overshadowing it?  In this episode of Industry Optimized, host Fran Scott sits down with Jesper Lögdström, CEO of Oversea Fleet Support, to explore real-world examples where digital platforms and expert insight work hand-in-hand in the maritime industry.   Discover how shore-based experts and vessel crews collaborate, act on data, and drive safer, more efficient shipping - proving that technology is at its best when it supports human judgment, not substitutes it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autonomous industrial operations might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie: a factory running in the dark, machines quietly humming and everything ticking along without a single person on the floor.   But in reality, autonomy isn’t about replacing people. On the contrary: it’s about amplifying human expertise.   In this episode, host Fran Scott sits down with Peter Terwiesch, President of Automation at ABB, and Dayan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President for Global Manufacturing and Mobility at Microsoft, to take a closer look at what the journey towards autonomous industrial operations means in practice. This conversation is not about the hype, but rather about what’s real today and what’s coming next. Listen to or watch Industry Optimized from ABB on your favourite podcast platform, including Youtube and Spotify. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What will the world’s most essential industries look like tomorrow? From energy and water to materials and transportation, how can technology help industries outrun – leaner and cleaner?   Join scientist and host Fran Scott as she speaks with leading industry experts to uncover how automation, electrification and digitalization enable some of the largest and most complex industrial operations on the planet – and asks what will  future of industry really look like?  Listen or watch Industry Optimized; a podcast from ABB’s Automation business area, from Wednesday March the 11th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout this season of The Process Automation Podcast, we’ve uncovered how experts around the world are rethinking the future of production in heavy industry. In the final bonus episode for this season, host Fran Scott steps back to revisit some of the standout ideas and insights that really made us stop and think. From digital tools reshaping everyday operations to the evolving nature of industrial work itself, you'll be hearing highlights from:  April Whitson, Global Head of HR at ABB Process Industries (Episode 1: Driving change – people behind the energy transition)  Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President at ABB Process Automation Technology (Episode 2: Automation in action – built to last, designed to evolve)  Dr. Carlos Lopez-Gomez, Head of Policy Links at IFM Engage at the University of Cambridge (Episode 5: Small tech, big impact – delivering precision in harsh industrial operations)  Shanthala Kamath, R&D Corporate Executive Engineer at ABB Measurement and Analytics (Episode 5: Small tech, big impact – delivering precision in harsh industrial operations)  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here: or at The Process Automation Podcast — ABB Group See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ocean is unpredictable, but smarter digital routing is transforming how ships navigate it to ensure safety of passengers, crew and cargo.  From real-time weather insights to automated voyage  optimization, routing services are evolving to help vessels save fuel, reduce emissions, and improve safety at sea. And as progress accelerates, we’re asking the big question: What technologies will shape the future of ocean routing?  In this season’s finale, Michael Greavette and Mark Streuper from ABB’s Routing Solutions and Services in Marine & Ports division join Fran to explore how data and automation are reshaping navigation today, and what’s coming next.  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode.  If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here  or  at   The Process Automation Podcast — ABB GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our previous episode, we explored how fiber is being used in new and unexpected ways beyond traditional paper production. Today, we’re continuing that story, looking at how the same spirit of innovation is transforming the entire pulp and paper industry. For decades, this sector has quietly been a pioneer in bioenergy and biomaterials. Through its evolution from traditional manufacturing sites into modern, self-sufficient biorefineries - and supported by active, long-term forestry that enables the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy - it has become one of the world’s largest producers and users of renewable energy from wood-based residues. But what does this transformation mean for the future of energy, sustainability, and even new revenue opportunities? That’s exactly what we’re exploring in this episode, as we ask: How is the pulp, paper, and fiber industry creating future value through biomass, biofuels, and circular innovation? Joining the discussion are:   Gustav Melin, CEO and CFO at Mantex AB  Wilson Monteiro, Business Line Manager for Pulp, Paper, and Fibre at ABB   Roger Östlin, Head of Sustainable Fuels at SCA and CEO of the SCA–ST1  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode.  If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here or The Process Automation Podcast - ABB GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiber is no longer just about paper. Across industries, wood and cellulose are being transformed into advanced biomaterials, sustainable textiles, and renewable energy sources. These innovations are reshaping how we think about circular production, reducing fossil dependency, and unlocking new business opportunities. In this bonus episode we are asking Stefan Thorburn, Senior Principal Scientist at ABB Corporate Research, how is this shift happening and what role is technology playing in enabling it? Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode. If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here or The Process Automation Podcast — ABB GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our last episode, we looked at how shipping - one of the world’s oldest industries - has evolved, with digital technology driving much of that change.  Safety, efficiency, and sustainability remain the big drivers. Today’s ships benefit from smarter logistics, predictive maintenance, and real-time tracking.  But taking digitalization further in such a complex sector isn’t easy. New and existing technologies must integrate seamlessly to keep operations safe, resilient, and reliable.  Add to that the challenges of cybersecurity, secure ship-to-shore data, and preparing the workforce for a digital future - and the task becomes even tougher.  That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode: how to take digitalization to the next level in the maritime industry. In this episode, host Fran Scott will be joined by:  - Mikkel Skou Managing Director of Veracity by DNV - Osku Kälkäjä, Digital Division Lead, ABB’s Marine & Ports division  - Leigh Carr, Vice President, Maritime Cyber Safety of Carnival Corporation and PLC   Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.