NEBEXT Next Business Exhibitions

1. Why is data quality crucial in the context of Big Data analytics and AI algorithms, and what challenges exist in managing diverse data sets?

Data quality is very important in Big Data analytics and AI algorithms due to its direct influence on the accuracy, reliability, and validity of insights and decisions derived from these technologies. Inaccurate or incomplete data can lead to flawed analyses, biased outcomes, and erroneous predictions, undermining the effectiveness and trustworthiness of AI systems. Managing diverse data sets poses several challenges, including data integration, standardization, and normalization across disparate sources. Ensuring consistency, relevance, and integrity of data while addressing issues like data silos, data governance, and data security is crucial for unlocking the full potential of Big Data and AI applications.

2. In what ways do you envision humans and AI systems collaborating in the future, and are there ethical considerations to address in these partnerships?

The future collaboration between humans and AI systems is likely to be characterized by synergistic partnerships where each party leverages its unique strengths to complement the other. Humans will continue to provide context, creativity, ethical judgment, and emotional intelligence, while AI systems will offer scalability, efficiency, data-driven insights, and automation capabilities. Ethical considerations are very important in the collaboration between humans and robots, including concerns related to algorithmic biases, privacy breaches, job displacement, and the ethical use of AI in decision-making processes. Transparent communication, accountability mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks will be essential to ensure responsible AI development and deployment.

3. How are governments and regulatory bodies responding to the challenges posed by Big Data and AI, particularly in terms of privacy and security?

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly recognizing the significance of Big Data and AI technologies and are responding with legislative measures and regulatory frameworks aimed at safeguarding privacy, ensuring data security, and mitigating potential risks. Recently, the European Union has reached an agreement on the proposal for harmonized rules on artificial intelligence (AI), the so-called Artificial Intelligence Law. The draft regulation aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the European market and used in the EU are safe and respect fundamental rights and EU values. This landmark proposal also aims to stimulate investment and innovation in AI in Europe. There are also other initiatives such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States that impose strict requirements on data collection, processing, and sharing practices to protect individuals' rights and mitigate privacy breaches. Additionally, cybersecurity regulations and standards are being strengthened to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities associated with the proliferation of Big Data and AI applications.

4. In your opinion, what do you believe is the most exciting potential or transformative aspect of the ongoing advancements in Big Data and AI for the future?

Artificial Intelligence is one of the key technologies of this new era of Industry 4.0 and is marking a before and after in the industrial sector. Improved reliability, improved quality, and reduced energy consumption are some of the benefits offered by Big Data and Artificial Intelligence thanks to data from connected machines.

In addition, one of the challenges facing the industrial sector today is to produce with zero defects and more efficiently. Artificial Intelligence offers great opportunities in the industrial sector thanks to its ability to analyze large amounts of data and predict behavior. Thus, with AI support, we can predict when production parameters will drift and move towards more efficient and zero-defect manufacturing.

5. As Advanced Factories celebrates its eighth edition from 9-11 April 2024, what innovative solutions in AI and Big Data can we expect to see? Can you provide specific examples related to the manufacturing industry?

The main solutions that attendees will discover in the exhibition area of Advanced Factories are Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Vision, robotics, automation, and 3D printing technologies. In addition, experts in the field will share how generative AI can drive innovation, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage in SMEs while analyzing the use of AI and Machine Learning algorithms to predict potential failures before they occur and the use of machine vision for quality control during manufacturing.

Specific examples may include predictive maintenance systems that utilize machine learning algorithms to anticipate equipment failures and optimize maintenance schedules, real-time quality control systems employing computer vision and data analytics to detect defects and anomalies on the production line, and supply chain optimization tools leveraging Big Data analytics to optimize inventory management, procurement processes, and logistics operations.

6. What will be the main topics addressed in the Industry 4.0 Congress this year? Please share any specific areas or themes expected to be discussed.

Artificial Intelligence will be the focus of debate in many of the presentations of the Industry 4.0 Congress, given its importance and impact on improving productivity and efficiency in the industry. Apart from Artificial Intelligence, other topics that will be on the agenda of the Industry 4.0 Congress will be the integration of robotics and automation in industry. Thus, it will explain how robotics is essential to automate dangerous or routine tasks, implement real-time monitoring systems to prevent accidents, and achieve greater flexibility in production, taking the industry to a new level of efficiency and adaptability to current market demands. Cybersecurity will also be of relevance, to explore strategies and practices to safeguard industrial facilities and production systems against cyber-attacks. Finally, I would also highlight the sustainability and decarbonization of the industry as a challenge to be addressed by the sector, which will also have its place at the congress, sharing technologies and success stories to promote a more sustainable industry.

7. What does an event such as Advanced Factories offer to professionals in the manufacturing industry? How can it contribute to their knowledge and industry insights?

In its eight editions, Advanced Factories has already become an unmissable meeting point to discover the latest solutions in automation and industrial robotics in southern Europe. That is why every year thousands of industrial professionals come to Advanced Factories to discover the most innovative solutions that will help them improve the productivity of their production plants, improve efficiency, and become more sustainable. European industrial sovereignty will only be achieved by those countries that have an innovative and competitive industry. And that competitiveness means having our factories highly automated, using robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to achieve higher levels of process efficiency.

8. Before we dive into specifics, could you provide a brief overview of B2B automation platforms? How can these platforms leverage advancements in Big Data and AI showcased at events like Advanced Factories to enhance their capabilities, streamline manufacturing processes, and offer more value to their clients?

B2B automation platforms facilitate the integration, automation, and optimization of business processes within and across organizations, enabling seamless collaboration and information exchange between suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. At Advanced Factories, more than 560 exhibiting firms will present the latest innovations in industrial automation systems, robotics, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital twins, data analytics, cybersecurity, or integrated production systems, among many other solutions. For that reason, Advanced Factories is an unmissable event for any professional who wants to discover the latest solutions in industrial automation, robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and all those technologies associated with Industry 4.0.

9. Considering the collaborative nature of Industry 4.0, how can B2B automation and manufacturing platforms foster partnerships and collaborations with technology providers and solution developers present at Advanced Factories to stay at the forefront of innovation?

Since the beginning, at Advanced Factories we have created the largest industrial community, bringing together thousands of professionals together with the main industry players, technology leaders, professional associations, and experts to share knowledge, discover the latest trends, and explore the most innovative technologies that are revolutionizing industry. The industry professionals who come to the event are looking for an industrial and technological partner who will help their businesses and industrial plants to become more productive, efficient, and sustainable.

10. In what ways can B2B automation platforms adapt to the evolving trends discussed at the Industry 4.0 Congress during Advanced Factories, ensuring they remain agile and responsive to the changing needs of the manufacturing sector? Can you provide specific examples or areas of discussion from Congress that are crucial for B2B automation platforms to consider in their adaptation strategies?

The industrial sector continues to embrace the transformation towards Industry 4.0, from the adoption of new technologies in production processes to the automation of factories, with digitally connected robots equipped with artificial intelligence to configure so-called 'smart factories'. However, there is now a need to integrate all these technologies, equipment, and systems. In this scenario, the Industry 4.0 Congress will gather more than 320 international experts to share the five main axes of the digital transformation of the industry: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, IoT, robotics, and cybersecurity. More specifically, for instance, cybersecurity measures to protect against emerging threats, strategies for leveraging data analytics and AI to enhance operational resilience and agility, approaches for integrating emerging technologies like blockchain and edge computing into existing workflows, and considerations for upskilling the workforce to harness the full potential of Industry 4.0 technologies.