Manufacturers reluctant to embrace technology right now may be in a risky position. Industrial AI technology advances will drive change and open new possibilities at an unprecedented pace. To accelerate the rate of adoption and help manufacturers and job shops cut through the noise of this disruptive technology, IMTS 2026 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, will host its first Industrial AI Conference. The conference takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in McCormick Place, Chicago. Designed for operational leaders and teams from quality, maintenance, engineering, and digital/IT, the conference focuses on real-world manufacturing productivity, workforce transformation, and operational intelligence. In addition to roundtable discussions and a networking lunch, there are four presentations at the event: How Manufacturers Can Identify High-Impact Opportunities While Avoiding Costly Implementation Mistakes, by Dr. Jay Lee of the University of Maryland, one of the world’s leading pioneers in industrial AI. Using AI To Dramatically Reduce the Design-To-Part Cycle Time, by Sai Nelaturi, co-founder and CEO of C-Infinity, which is also an exhibitor (IMTS booth #135658) in the Industrial AI Arena. Its product, AutoAssembler AI, compiles CAD and PLM information and generates production-ready assembly instructions. It turns weeks of work into minutes and accelerates design and engineering changes, including those for large and complex assemblies. An AI Case Study Featuring an AS9100 Manufacturer, led by Mehul Shah, CEO of GroundControl, and demonstrating a customer using its software to create error-free AS9102 first article inspection reports 10 times faster. The company is also an exhibitor (IMTS booth #134068) in the Industrial AI Arena. How Employers and Training Programs Can Leverage the Work of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute To Prepare for AI-Enabled Manufacturing, led by Lisa Masciantonio, ARM chief workforce officer. For those wondering where to start, Dr. Lee will explain how companies can identify hidden productivity gaps, establish measurable baselines, and overcome the industry’s “3B problem,” namely broken data, missing background information, and missing baselines. He compares AI adoption to a gym membership. “Buying AI alone does not create results, just like buying a gym membership does not make you fit,” he says. “Companies only see transformation when they establish sound discipline, processes, and continuous improvement.” Dr. Lee will also demonstrate how manufacturers can effectively monitor multiple CNC machines using low-cost edge AI devices with predictive and traceable stream-of-quality (SoQ) methodology. “Most AI conversations in manufacturing are still theoretical. This one won’t be,” Shah promises. “We will walk through exactly how using AI enables moving faster on order acceptance, streamlining contract review, and freeing people to do higher-value work. Our conversation will show where AI is valuable and where AI falls short.” The nature of manufacturing jobs is rapidly changing as more manufacturers turn to AI-enabled robots to address workforce shortages and rising demand. However, the success of industrial AI also depends on cultural acceptance. The nation can only recognize the potential of AI-enabled robots if the full manufacturing ecosystem is supported through this disruptive transformation. “Without workforce support, such as that which can be found in the ARM Institute’s free workforce resource, RoboticsCareer.org, these powerful technologies are at risk of going unused,” Masciantonio says. “My presentation will explore how employers and training programs alike can leverage our work to prepare for the AI-enabled manufacturing future.” Nelaturi adds, “Manufacturing is a business of relationships. Those relationships need to be accelerated if AI adoption needs to be accelerated. We can’t move at a glacial pace anymore. IMTS is where industry meets, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the connections made at IMTS will help drive adoption.” Register for the Industrial AI Conference sessions at IMTS 2026 to connect with experts and receive grounded AI support for your teams. Note that registration requires a fee and that it also provides access to the exhibit halls for all six days of the show.
IMTS 2026 will host its first Industrial AI Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in McCormick Place, Chicago.
Subscribe to Newsletters
Get the latest news from IMTS delivered to your inbox.