The dust has settled at the ARC Advisory Group Industry Forum, and we are thrilled to share that our team was at the very center of the conversation. From the stage to the expo hallways, we spent the week collaborating with global leaders to define the “New Industrial Playbook.”
Here’s a look at three on-stage sessions where OPC Foundation is helping shape the future of secure, standardized automation.
1. Setting the Standard for AI-Ready Data
In our session, “The New Industrial Playbook,” OPC Foundation’s Michael Clark and Paul Hunkar joined forces with experts from VDMA, NEMA, FBI Cyber Division, and Air Liquide to tackle the industry’s biggest challenge: making data useful.
We focused on how OPC UA provides the secure, semantic foundation necessary for AI to actually work on the plant/factory floor. When your data is “AI-ready” from the start, the jump from raw numbers to actionable insights becomes a reality.
2. Defending the Digital Frontier
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem; it’s an operational necessity. Michael Clark contributed to a powerhouse panel on Industrial Cybersecurity Case Studies, featuring perspectives from Air Liquide, Air Products, Fortinet, and Waste Management.
By sharing real-world successes (and lessons learned), we’re helping our partners build more resilient infrastructures that can withstand the evolving threat landscape.
3. Living on the Edge
The shift toward a Software-Defined World is officially here. Paul Hunkar took the stage with leaders from Chevron, Cisco, and Keurig Dr Pepper to discuss the “Industrial Edge.”
Key takeaway? The future of industry cannot feed into the cloud without correlation at the edge, where software and hardware meet to create faster, more flexible production environments.
By the Numbers: OPC Foundation’s Reach
- 3 High-Impact Panels: Leading the OT dialogue on AI, Security, and Edge Computing.
- 18+ Industry Collaborators: Working alongside giants like Cisco, Air Liquide, Chevron, Waste Management, and Fortinet.
- Global Influence: Engaging with regulatory and security bodies including the FBI, NEMA, and VDMA.
The collaborations we forged this year at ARC Forum prove that the path to a smarter industry is one we build together. Secure, semantic data is no longer a luxury—it’s the new standard.