Integrating technology for speed to scale in business

At IFS Connect Australia 2026, Christian Pedersen underscored a major shift in how industrial businesses must think about technology: moving from slow experimentation to true “speed to scale.”

Across the event, a consistent challenge emerged—too many organisations remain stuck in extended pilot programs and proof-of-concepts. While AI capability is advancing rapidly, these delays risk leaving companies behind.

The message was clear: success now depends on quickly identifying operational bottlenecks and turning tested ideas into deployed, scalable solutions that deliver real impact.

A key focus was the rise of AI-driven “digital workers” embedded within enterprise systems. These technologies are reshaping the workforce into a hybrid model where humans, AI agents, and robotics work side by side.

Digital workers intelligently allocate tasks in real time, directing work to the most effective resource—whether that is a skilled human, a digital agent, or robotics deployed in high-risk environments.

IFS highlighted its strong focus on asset-intensive industries, where around 70 percent of the workforce operates outside traditional office settings.

In sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, and field services, AI and automation are becoming essential to maintaining productivity amid ongoing skills shortages and workforce pressures.

That shortage is accelerating the adoption of robotics and intelligent systems to support critical operations, reduce downtime, and close capability gaps.

As Christian Pedersen noted, the organisations that will thrive are those that successfully integrate these technologies to future-proof operations and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.