Why manufacturing’s AI future depends on structure, not speed

Digital transformation in manufacturing is entering a more consequential phase. What once centred on automation, connectivity, and incremental efficiency is now evolving into something more strategic, the ability to convert vast volumes of operational data into timely, intelligent decisions that directly influence performance.

In an exclusive interaction with Express Computer, the newly appointed, Global Chief Digital and Information Officer at PGP Glass Pvt Ltd, Santosh Rai, outlines a pragmatic roadmap for industrial enterprises preparing for 2026. His perspective is notably grounded. Rather than viewing AI as a standalone disruptor, Rai frames it as the natural culmination of a disciplined data lifecycle, one that organisations must architect deliberately if they want technology investments to translate into measurable business outcomes.

Manufacturers today operate under multiple pressures. They must enhance operational efficiency while managing supply chain volatility, pursue sustainability while protecting margins, and accelerate digital adoption without compromising governance. Against ...