A3 Business Forum 2025

PANEL DISCUSSION: The Next Frontiers: Where Automation is Going Next

Adrian Stoch, Chief Automation Officer, GXO

Jon Battles, VP Technology Strategy, Collaborative Robotics

Nick Saunders, CEO & Founder, Hummingbird Systems

Rajat Bhageria, Founder and CEO, Chef Robotics

Ritesh Ragavender, Founder & CEO, Reflex Robotics

Join industry leaders for an engaging panel discussion exploring the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of automation. From robotics to AI integration, discover how innovation is transforming industries and unlocking new possibilities. Gain insights into emerging trends and technologies that are redefining what’s next in automation.

KEYNOTE: The Global Business Climate: Navigating What You Can’t Control

Geoff Colvin, Senior Editor at Large, Fortune

Economic, regulatory, and geopolitical risks now exert an outsized impact on every industry, especially technology. Geoff Colvin brings his experience at Fortune to show the interconnectedness of these factors and how winning businesses are strategizing for a new environment. Geoff is analytical and will focus on regions and industries most important for automation. He'll also describe actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately.

KEYNOTE: Embodied AI: Technology, Trust, and How Not to Lose Your Cool

Ayanna Howard, Dean of Engineering, Ohio State University

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into physical systems—from robots to autonomous vehicles—questions of trust, reliability, and human interaction take center stage. Join Ayanna Howard, esteemed Dean of Engineering at Ohio State University and a trailblazer in AI and robotics, for an engaging keynote on the evolution and future of embodied AI. Dr. Howard will delve into the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human behavior, exploring how we can design systems that not only perform efficiently but also inspire trust in real-world environments. Drawing on her extensive expertise, she’ll provide insights into overcoming challenges, maintaining human oversight, and ensuring ethical deployment—all while navigating the fast-paced, high-stakes world of AI development.

KEYNOTE: The Latest Automation Statistics, Trends and Key Market Drivers

Alex Shikany, Executive Vice President, Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

This session will explore the latest data and trends shaping the automation industry, providing a deep dive into key market drivers, emerging opportunities, and challenges. Gain valuable insights to help your organization stay ahead in the fast-evolving world of automation.

KEYNOTE: 2025 Global Economic Update – Align Resources for the Rise Ahead

Alan Beaulieu: Principal, ITR Economics

2025 looks to be a year of recovery for some markets and real growth for others, while still others can expect a measure of cyclical decline. Attendees will be able to see the future before it is here so that the scarce resources can be properly allocated. Tracking the leading indicators and being nimble as plans are drawn for beyond 2025 is imperative. The winds of growth, inflation, and interest rates are likely to shift as we go beyond 2025. We will present our forecasts for inflation and interest rates as well as our outlook for the forces that drive your markets. This outlook will require a change in perspective so that you can successfully plan and change to maximize your profits in both the near and longer term.