AI Agents: Revolutionizing Industrial Operations in 2025

The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, published a white paper in January 2025 exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) agents in industrial operations. The report, titled "Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence Agents," examines how AI agents, both virtual and embodied, can drive efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability in manufacturing. It argues that these technologies are essential for manufacturers to remain competitive in an increasingly complex landscape characterized by labor shortages, cost pressures, and evolving customer demands. The study envisions a future where AI-driven, near-autonomous systems empower humans to focus on strategic tasks and innovation, and explores the strategic imperatives and organizational foundations needed to successfully implement AI agents at scale. It offers use cases and categorizations of AI by robots to illustrate their capabilities and benefits. Finally, the report highlights the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the responsible and beneficial adoption of these frontier technologies.