Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How can manufacturers create value with Industrial AI? What does it take to move towards an AI-powered autonomous production? In this episode of the Future Ready Podcast, Rainer Brehm and David Humphrey return for a third episode how software-defined automation is enabling these exact kinds of solutions.
They also explore the role of AI agents, data fabrics and physical AI in the future of industry while sharing practical insights on where companies can start today. And gain a competitive advantage for tomorrow.
In this episode you’ll learn about:
(00:00) Shifting industrial expenditures
(04:24) Creating value from investment
(07:03) Solving the data challenge
(10:23) From rule-based to goal-based automation
(15:13) Humans, autonomy and what’s next
About the voices:
Rainer Brehm is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the automation business and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Siemens Digital Industries. In these roles, he drives the strategic advancement of Siemens’ automation portfolio and leads the development of technologies such as Industrial AI and Software-Defined Automation to unlock the full potential of automation. His focus is on making production more adaptive, resilient, and sustainable. His vision is an automated automation that solves unknown tasks independently.
David Humphrey is an analyst at ARC Europe. And is a member of ARC’s hybrid manufacturing, packaging and industrial networking teams. He has over 25 years experience in industrial automation across specification, design and programming in a variety of industries.
Conor Peick is a Marketing Professional creating forward-looking content for the Thought Leadership team at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Conor collaborates with industry experts and executives to produce impactful content exploring the challenges companies face and the technologies that can provide solutions.
How can manufacturers create value with Industrial AI? What does it take to move towards an AI-powered autonomous production? In this episode of the Future Ready Podcast, Rainer Brehm and David Humphrey return for a third episode how software-defined automation is enabling these exact kinds of solutions.
They also explore the role of AI agents, data fabrics and physical AI in the future of industry while sharing practical insights on where companies can start today. And gain a competitive advantage for tomorrow.
In this episode you’ll learn about:
(00:00) Shifting industrial expenditures
(04:24) Creating value from investment
(07:03) Solving the data challenge
(10:23) From rule-based to goal-based automation
(15:13) Humans, autonomy and what’s next
About the voices:
Rainer Brehm is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the automation business and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Siemens Digital Industries. In these roles, he drives the strategic advancement of Siemens’ automation portfolio and leads the development of technologies such as Industrial AI and Software-Defined Automation to unlock the full potential of automation. His focus is on making production more adaptive, resilient, and sustainable. His vision is an automated automation that solves unknown tasks independently.
David Humphrey is an analyst at ARC Europe. And is a member of ARC’s hybrid manufacturing, packaging and industrial networking teams. He has over 25 years experience in industrial automation across specification, design and programming in a variety of industries.
Conor Peick is a Marketing Professional creating forward-looking content for the Thought Leadership team at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Conor collaborates with industry experts and executives to produce impactful content exploring the challenges companies face and the technologies that can provide solutions.
