India Inc on the Move 2025: A resounding success in advancing AI-driven smart and sustainable manufacturing
AI and digital innovation at the forefront
Organised by The Economic Times in partnership with Rockwell Automation, the event featured over 35 high-impact knowledge sessions and 50+ distinguished speakers, exploring the transformative role of AI, automation, and digitisation in manufacturing. Discussions emphasised the need to bridge technological gaps in automation, digitisation, and AI integration, as well as the importance of sustainability in industrial operations.
A highlight of the event was a fireside chat on Software-Defined Manufacturing, led by Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & SAARC, and Christopher Nardecchia, SVP & CIO of Rockwell Automation. This session explored how the latest advancements in software-defined manufacturing are reshaping industrial processes and enabling smarter, more efficient operations.
MoU signed between Rockwell Automation and Cisco
In a major announcement, Cisco and Rockwell Automation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the ‘Digital Skills for Industry’ skilling program. This program aims to address the growing skills gap in India’s manufacturing sector by imparting next-generation workers with essential digital skills. The curriculum will combine Information Technology (IT) and Operations Technology (OT), focusing on cybersecurity, networking, the Internet of Things (IoT), data science, artificial intelligence (AI), programming, and automation.
The ‘Digital Skills for Industry’ program seeks to equip workers with the necessary expertise to thrive in the evolving manufacturing landscape, helping them adapt to emerging technologies and drive India’s goal of becoming a major global manufacturing hub. This initiative comes at a crucial time as India sets its sights on exporting goods worth $1 trillion by 2030, but faces a significant shortage of skilled workers.
Key speakers and sessions
The event featured a wide array of thought-provoking discussions from industry leaders. Dilip Sawhney, MD of Rockwell Automation India, highlighted the core objective of the event, stating: “The idea of India Inc On The Move is to put the spotlight on technology as a core and enabler for India to become a global manufacturing hub.”
Vishal Dhupar, MD, Asia South, NVIDIA, shared his perspective on the future of manufacturing, saying: “The world of manufacturing is about physical AI and it can’t be described in words. We need to teach models physics and we need to create a new foundation, a new world model.”
Scott Wooldridge, President, Asia Pacific, Rockwell Automation, emphasised the need for digital transformation in India’s manufacturing sector: “India has a labour advantage but it won’t last long, so we need to develop digital solutions to optimise larger supply chains.”
“I believe digital transformation is pretty important, but people are inclined towards traditional manufacturing systems. So we need a mix of great digital skills and give people room to adopt new technologies," he further added.
Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog, outlined the critical role of manufacturing in achieving India’s economic vision, stating, “If we have to get to a $30 trillion economy by 2047, we need to be in the $12 trillion range by the next 10 years and a boost in the manufacturing sector is essential to achieve that.”
In addition to the discussions on AI and digital technologies, the event also featured a special spotlight session, Journey to Success: Women Leadership, Agility, Resilience, Life after Olympics, with the legendary Indian Olympic boxer, Mary Kom.
The session offered an inspiring look at her journey to success, overcoming challenges both inside and outside the boxing ring. As a trailblazer for women in sports, Mary Kom shared valuable insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of agility, not only in sports but in all aspects of life, including the evolving world of manufacturing and technology.
The event also featured high-impact sessions that brought together thought leaders to discuss key industry challenges and opportunities such as:
- Industrial AI - Solving the unsolvable problems
The session featured leading experts such as Ajay Sehgal, Chief Revenue Officer- Enterprise Business, Reliance Jio, Bhuwan Lodha, CEO - AI Division, Mahindra Group, and Patrick Dey, Vice President, Data, Analytics & Insights and Digital Innovation, Rockwell Automation. The session was moderated by Gautam Srinivasan, Anchor.
- Connected worker revolution in smart manufacturing
The discussion highlighted the importance of integrating connected technologies to enhance worker efficiency and manufacturing processes. Panelists included Anil Relan, VP, Life Sciences India and Asia, Jacobs; Arpita Das, VP-IT, Pernod Ricard India; Indradyumna Datta, Group Chief Digital Officer, Jindal Steel and Power; Mayank Saraogi, Head – EIC & A, Danieli Corus India Pvt. Ltd.; Naveen Sharma, Whole Time Director, Udaipur Cement Works Ltd.; Sebastien Grau, Vice President, Global Industry Process, Rockwell Automation; and Dr. Tapan Sahoo, ED, Maruti Suzuki India.
With a focus on fostering innovation, improving productivity, and driving sustainability, the event played a vital role in shaping the future of manufacturing in India.
The successful conclusion of India Inc on the Move 2025 sets the stage for a new era in AI-driven smart manufacturing in India. The event has not only provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing but also reinforced the country’s commitment to advancing sustainable and resilient manufacturing practices. With the combined efforts of industry leaders, technology partners, and the government, India’s manufacturing sector is poised to lead the way in digital transformation on the global stage.
