Next Frontier of Operations

Next Frontier of Operations

Building the future of Industrial Intelligence - Factories & Supply Chains that Think, Learn and Adapt.

Building the next frontier of industrial intelligence where frontier technologies amplify human ingenuity.

Manufacturers are under growing pressure to strengthen competitiveness. At the same time, frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are leading to a big shift in how the industrial world is evolving from static systems into intelligent ecosystems.

The Next Frontier of Operations initiative supports this shift by building the strategic insight and collaborative foundation for the new industrial operating paradigm: one built for intelligence and autonomy; not just for efficiency.

Our workstreams

Two distinct but interrelated workstreams converging to deliver the core objectives of this initiative

Leaders Foresight

Develop a forward-looking view of industrial operations shaped by frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and quantum technologies, with a strong focus on responsible transformation and human-machine collaboration.

Experience Centre

Launch an experience centre to help leaders visualize the next frontier of industrial operations, deepen understanding and support informed decision-making.

Our reports

01
Intelligent Industrial Operations Outlook 2026

The first edition of the Intelligent Industrial Operations Outlook explores how industrial operations are shifting from traditional automation to intelligent, connected and increasingly autonomous systems.

02
Quantum Technologies: Key Opportunities for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains
03
Physical AI: Powering the New Age of Industrial Operations
04
Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence Agents
05
Harnessing the AI Revolution in Industrial Operations: A Guidebook

An initiative of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains

Enabling more resilient, sustainable and inclusive manufacturing ecosystems and supply chains.

Interested in shaping the future of industrial operations?

Join the community and contribute to a more responsible, resilient and future-ready industrial transformation.

Next Frontier of Operations

A World Economic Forum Initiative
© 2026 All rights reserved
Privacy Policy & Terms of Service