Getting an AI pilot to work is one thing. Scaling it across an organization and delivering measurable business value is another. In Episode 69 of Digitalization Tech Talks, Jonathan Alexander of Albemarle joins Don Mack and Cole Lewis to explain why promising AI initiatives often become trapped in “pilot purgatory.” From building scalable data foundations to balancing horizontal and vertical AI strategies, this conversation explores the people, processes, and technologies required to scale AI across manufacturing operations. If your organization is looking to move from isolated AI experiments to repeatable, enterprise-wide value, this episode offers practical insights to help you think big, start small, and scale fast. Show Notes:Website: ADKAR Model for Change Management (https://www.prosci.com/blog/adkar-model)Paper: Use of AI in Chemical Manufacturing (https://www.chemengonline.com/use-of-ai-in-chemical-manufacturing/?printmode=1)E-book: Industrial AI: Transform the entire value chain (https://bit.ly/4zH79u0)Video: The Industrial AI Revolution: Siemens Keynote at CES 2026 (https://youtu.be/R4Wm6YdoZSs?si=rB9tZV_ulpEOoYd2)Contact Us:Jonathan Alexander (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-alexander1/)Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/don-mack)Cole Lewis (cole.lewis@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/cole-lewis/)
Science fiction once imagined a world where people could simply talk to technology and make things happen. Today, that vision is rapidly becoming reality. In Episode 68 of Digitalization Tech Talks, Brian Herr of HHI Advisory joins Don Mack and Cole Lewis to discuss the convergence of the physical and digital worlds and what it means for industrial organizations embracing AI. From AI maturity and trustworthy AI to explainability, governance, and long-term strategy, this conversation explores how manufacturers can move beyond AI experimentation and create lasting business value. If you're wondering how industrial AI will evolve over the next few years and what steps leaders should take today, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Show Notes:Website: HHI Advisory Group LLC (https://www.hhiadvisory.com/)Website: Digital twin: The living blueprint (https://www.siemens.com/en-us/company/digital-twin/)E-book: Industrial AI: Transform the entire value chain (https://bit.ly/4zH79u0)Video: The Industrial AI Revolution: Siemens Keynote at CES 2026 (https://youtu.be/R4Wm6YdoZSs?si=rB9tZV_ulpEOoYd2) Contact Us:Brian Herr (brian.herr@hhiadvisory.com and linkedin.com/in/brian-herr/)Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/don-mack)Cole Lewis (cole.lewis@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/cole-lewis/)
In this episode we explore how chemical recycling is moving from promising research to real-world industrial deployment. Abe Dyck, Head of Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Aduro Clean Technologies joins us to discuss Hydrochemolytic™ Technology (HCT), an innovative approach designed to convert difficult-to-recycle plastics into valuable hydrocarbon feedstocks.The conversation goes beyond chemistry to examine what it actually takes to scale a new process technology. Abe shares insights on pilot plant operations, continuous processing, feedstock challenges, data collection, process automation, simulation, and AI. Together, we explore how digitalization is helping reduce risk, improve decision-making, and accelerate the path from laboratory innovation to commercial reality.Show Notes:Website: Aduro Clean Technologies (https://adurocleantech.com/)LinkedIn: Aduro Clean Technologies on LinkedIn (https://sie.ag/4cA9zv)Video: Chemistry Goes Music (https://sie.ag/6xmZaj)Video: World Cup 2026 – From Waste to Water (https://sie.ag/5CXC8t)Website (Siemens): Chemical Recycling (https://sie.ag/5uS6ks)Press Release (Aduro Clean Technologies): Aduro Engages Siemens to Deliver Advanced Automation for Hydrochemolytic™ Pilot Plant (https://sie.ag/qutYX)Contact Us:Abe Dyck (adyck@adurocleantech.com and www.linkedin.com/in/abedyck/)Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/don-mack)Cole Lewis (cole.lewis@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/cole-lewis/)
In Episode 66 of Digitalization Tech Talks, we explore how a global brewery successfully transitioned from paper-based processes to a fully digital environment—without stopping production. Join us as we sit down with Fred Husman, a seasoned automation expert at SkyIO, to unpack a real-world digitalization journey at one of the world’s largest brewing operations. This episode dives into how Constellation Brands tackled the challenge of digitizing live operations, overcoming concerns around uptime, product quality, and system risk while implementing a Brewing MES solution that delivers end-to-end traceability and real-time production insights. From separating data collection from core production logic to leveraging digital twin simulation for safe, large-scale deployment, this conversation reveals the practical strategies that made “no disruption” digitalization possible. Fred shares key lessons on automated data capture, IT/OT convergence, and why building a strong data foundation is critical before unlocking AI-driven value. Whether you’re in brewing or any process industry, this episode offers actionable insights on how to scale digital transformation while keeping operations running smoothly—and how to empower operators to focus on what matters most: making better products. Show Notes:Website (SkyIO): SkyIO (https://skyio.com/)LinkedIn (SkyIO): SkyIO on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/4fYqiAp)Video (Siemens): Constellation Brands Nava Brewery (https://bit.ly/4oNRlRi)Website (Siemens): Breweries (https://bit.ly/4uQbA2h)Contact Us:Fred Husman (fred.husman@skyio.com and linkedin.com/in/fredhusman/)Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/don-mack)Cole Lewis (cole.lewis@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/cole-lewis/)
In this special episode of Digitalization Tech Talks, longtime co-host Jonas Norinder joins Don Mack for a reflective conversation marking the close of an important chapter in the podcast’s journey as Jonas transitions to a new role. After years of exploring digital transformation, industrial AI, and the evolving value of data with industry leaders, Jonas shares the moments, insights, and conversations that shaped both the series and his own perspective on digitalization. From standout episodes to key industry shifts, this episode offers a look back at what has made the podcast a trusted voice in the process industries. At the same time, the conversation looks ahead. Listeners are introduced to new co-host Cole Lewis, who joins the series as it continues to build on a strong foundation and expand its reach. Together, Don, Jonas, and Cole discuss what’s next for Digitalization Tech Talks, including emerging topics, future guests, and how the podcast will continue delivering practical insights for organizations navigating their digitalization journey.Show Notes:Website: Digital Transformation, Siemens Xcelerator (bit.ly/3RxLOBQ) Episode 45, part 1: Midrex Technologies – From Digital Vision to Digital Transformation (bit.ly/4fbiOcY)Episode 45, part 2: Midrex Technologies – From Digital Vision to Digital Transformation (bit.ly/3PLZybt)Episode 64: AI-Ready Before AI – The Foundations Industrial Leaders Can’t Skip (bit.ly/4dA5VrM)Contact Us:Jonas Norinder (jonas.norinder@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/jonasnorinder)Don Mack (mack.donald@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/don-mack)Cole Lewis (cole.lewis@siemens.com and linkedin.com/in/cole-lewis/)