The 31st Annual ARC Industry Leadership Forum

A four-day industrial automation and digital transformation event at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. The program combines keynotes, an expo with demonstrations, and general-access sessions featuring customer voices, industry viewpoints, partner solutions, and product introductions. Featured tracks cover executive insights; AI and edge-to-cloud operational data; process control; production logistics; OT security; and the future of industrial automation. Industry tracks include automotive and tire, food and beverage, life sciences, mining and metals, energy, OEMs and machine builders, and water and wastewater. Topics include rare-earth processing automation, critical metals and industrial energy systems, grid decarbonization through hydro and bioenergy, and data-driven oil and gas operations. Five curated summits address process automation and PlantPAx DCS; secure digital operations, industrial data, AI, MES, digital thread, and OT cybersecurity; OEM machine building, digital twins, and secure design; production logistics, autonomous material movement, robotics, and orchestration; and industrial safety. The safety program covers functional-safety and cybersecurity standards including IEC 61508, IEC 61511, ISO 13849, and IEC 62443, as well as robotics, AI, and autonomous operations. Process-summit sessions include copper-mine control systems, PlantPAx modernization, predictive control, and EtherNet/IP. Keynotes address leading through change and complexity, the future of industrial operations, and innovation through experimentation.

A3 Members Only executive forum focused on the economic and market forces shaping the automation industry, business performance, emerging technologies, leadership priorities, innovation, and business growth. The substantive program includes Welcome & Opening Remarks, Economic, Business & Automation Outlook, and Closing Sessions. Featured voices include Connor Lokar of ITR Economics, Dr. James Hewitt, and Josh Linkner. The forum brings together leaders in robotics, machine vision, motion control, artificial intelligence, and industrial automation.

The conference objective is to enhance the value of participation in AIST activities and provide resources to help attendees grow as leaders in the association and the steel industry. Program topics include a North American steel update, economic perspectives, AIST strategic plan and program updates, and a rapid-fire discussion for questions, comments, and concerns. Leadership sessions address leading through uncertainty using neuroscience, psychology, and practical leadership strategies. A session on applying AI across a steel business addresses finance, supply chain, HR, and sales; data privacy and protecting proprietary know-how; AI adoption examples; identifying which data is safe to use with which tools; and preparing an implementation plan for IT. The event is invitation-only and open to Member Chapter officers, Technology Committee officers, Board of Director members, Board standing committee officers, and AIST Foundation Board of Trustees.

An invitation-only strategy forum for CEOs and senior manufacturing executives, with candid, off-the-record discussion of geopolitics, tariffs, AI, supply chains, and talent. The theme, “Technology, Production, and ‘New’ Manufacturing,” raises questions about technology's effect on strategy from design through production, whether moving from complexity to simplicity reduces costs, and other technology developments shaping manufacturing strategy. Sessions include “Signals that Matter: Crafting a Strategy Built on New Tech-Enabled Operations” and “The Return on AI Starts with Trust,” focused on connected data and visible thinking before faster, larger decisions. The program also includes an executive leadership panel and audience Q&A. Attendance is primarily for C-suite and senior leaders from manufacturing companies; access for nonmanufacturing members is limited, and solution providers may attend only through sponsorship.

The first program day examines the move from automated processes toward intelligent, connected systems capable of decision-making, optimization, and adaptive control. Sessions cover programmable cloud laboratory nodes for AI materials and manufacturing, Sandia’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation, the Alabama Materials Institute, and an autonomous robotic metallurgist materials innovation platform. The program also connects self-driving and autonomous laboratory efforts associated with the Genesis Mission and Programmable Cloud Laboratories agendas to real-world applications, collaboration, and the future of autonomous manufacturing systems. An industry technology exhibition and demonstrations are included. The second program day explores Internet of Things for Manufacturing (IoTfM) use cases, implementation lessons, standards for connectivity and interoperability, and the future direction of IoTfM. Sessions address OPC UA, digital technologies and digital twins, factory-floor digital transformation, automation and additive manufacturing, manufacturing data, practical industrial IoT, and technologies shaping future factories. The program also includes advanced manufacturing pilot facility tour stations and demonstrations.

Sessions examine natural gas market fundamentals for AI data center demand, including basin capabilities, rig activity, storage trends, pipeline bottlenecks, competition with LNG exports and other electricity demand, and commercial strategies for procurement, hedging, and risk management. The program also addresses AI and predictive analytics for pipeline nominations, forecasting, capacity management, and gas-flow optimization, plus integration with ERP, ETRM, CRM, and SCADA systems. Infrastructure discussions cover pipeline capacity, reliability and right-of-way; regional transmission, distribution and generation investment; federal-land development models; and the commercial and regulatory structures needed to advance large-load projects. Utility service challenges include pipeline limitations, public perception, permitting, capital requirements, commercial structuring, cost allocation, reliability obligations, and protecting existing customers. A developers roundtable covers demand forecasts versus speculative projects, developer qualifications, speed-to-power and behind-the-meter strategies, gas procurement, community hurdles, and regulatory and policy issues. Other sessions address mobile gas delivery and virtual pipelines, including CNG/LNG solutions for remote or capacity-constrained markets. The keynote considers AI-driven electricity demand, gas and electric utility bottlenecks, regional load growth, and nuclear energy. A Texas-focused panel examines policy, technology, research, planning, permitting, investment, and cross-sector coordination for large-load development, including data centers and advanced manufacturing.

The program includes keynotes, panels, breakouts, and interactive roundtables on steel-industry conditions; fabrication businesses, leadership, and industry outlook; AI and digitization in manufacturing; shop-floor equipment use cases and return on investment; and manufacturing’s economic and financial outlook. Sessions also address profitability, capital investment, business growth, tariffs, steel, leadership development, recruitment, small- and midsize-manufacturer growth, and potential changes to tax policy, OSHA and EPA regulations, and tariffs. Roundtable topics include culture, marketing, AI, and operations.

The conference program covers policy, governance, and global strategy for integrating autonomy across air, ground, and maritime domains, including counter-UAS authorities, AI governance, regulatory harmonization, spectrum allocation, and infrastructure readiness. Strategic Resilience addresses cybersecurity, geopolitical disruption, constrained access to critical components, NDAA and FCC covered-list procurement requirements, export controls, battery supply chains, and critical materials. Technology in Motion focuses on AI-driven perception, advanced propulsion, sensor fusion, collaborative autonomy, swarm coordination, counter-UAS systems, AI/ML certification, and verification and validation. Enterprise Operations & Ecosystem Integration examines domestic production, manufacturing readiness, MRO, reshoring, contract and additive manufacturing, vertiport integration, maritime logistics, digital twins, and production scaling. Autonomy in Action covers procurement, BVLOS and Part 108 operations, grants, venture capital, public-private partnerships, and commercial deployments. AUVSI Defense programming addresses maritime autonomy, national security and warfighter requirements, counter-UxS, appropriations, and fielding trusted systems at scale.

The forum focuses on the Army Aviation Roadmap and the industrial base, sustainment, and acquisition. Its program includes discussion of Army transformation and the organic industrial base, with opportunities for briefings involving project managers, Army aviation transformation and future-capability leaders, original equipment manufacturers, and other industry leaders. Professional sessions address the industrial base, the Army Aviation Roadmap, sustainment and the organic industrial base, acquisition, integration of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air portfolio, force modernization, the operating environment, the Pentagon landscape, and future warfighting concepts. Exhibit-hall open-mic panels cover cargo; attack and reconnaissance; utility aircraft; uncrewed aircraft systems; next-generation command and control; AMCOM sustainment; counter-drone systems; aviation mission systems and architecture; tactical aviation and ground munitions; and MV-75 Cheyenne opportunities.