AE Network AI Transformation

AE Peer Group:
AI Production

Driving Innovation – Efficiency and Precision through Artificial Intelligence

Deutsch

In a world where supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and production processes demand maximum efficiency, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential. AI helps automate processes, anticipate bottlenecks, and optimize decision-making based on data—crucial advantages in a dynamic, globalized economy.

The AE Peer Group is aimed at industrial companies that are actively integrating artificial intelligence into their products, processes, and organizations.

Typically, these include:

• large SMEs
  
• family-owned businesses
  
• corporate groups
  
• international industrial companies and corporations
  
• companies with their own development, production, or digitalization responsibilities
  

The participating companies typically have multiple locations, complex value-creation and production structures, and a high need for efficiency, transparency, and scalability.

Target Audience
The group is aimed at individuals with strategic responsibility for production, digitalization, operational excellence, and AI transformation, particularly:

• CTO - Integration of AI into products, engineering, and technology platforms
• COO - Increasing efficiency, quality, and productivity along the value stream
• Production Manager - Optimization of manufacturing and production processes
• Head of Operational Excellence - Scaling Best Practices and Data-Driven Improvement
  
• Head of Digitalization / AI - Introduction and Implementation of Industrial AI Applications
• Supply Chain Managers - Improving planning, transparency, and resilience across the supply chain

The focus is on specific issues surrounding industrial AI, agentic AI, digital twins, intelligent automation, and data-driven decision-making, as well as the practical implementation of AI across the industrial value chain. The group’s composition is deliberately curated to facilitate a confidential, high-quality exchange among peers.

In this AE Peer Group, we discuss concrete challenges and best practices regarding the use of artificial intelligence in industrial companies.

Typical topics include:

• Industrial AI: Application of AI across the industrial value chain – from development and engineering to production and service.
• Agentic AI: Using intelligent AI agents to support planning, analysis, and decision-making processes.
• Digital Twins: Connecting real products, machines, and production systems with digital models.
• Intelligent Production: Optimizing Quality, Productivity, and Flexibility through AI-Powered Processes
• Predictive Maintenance: Proactive maintenance to reduce failures and downtime
  
• Supply Chain & Operations: Improving planning, transparency, resilience, and efficiency across the supply chain.
• Data as a Value-Creation Factor: Leveraging Industrial Data for Better Decisions and New Business Models
  
• Automation & Robotics: The interplay of AI, software, and automation technologies in industrial practice.
  
• Sustainability and energy efficiency: Use of intelligent systems to optimize resource consumption and the CO₂ footprint.
  
• AI Governance & Scaling: Success Factors for the Sustainable Adoption and Company-Wide Use of AI
  

The AE Peer Group does not follow the format of a traditional lecture or conference.

The focus is on:

• confidential exchange of experiences
• discussion of real-world challenges
• access to new perspectives and potential solutions
• building robust contacts with key decision-makers
• long-term development of a network based on trust

Participants benefit from insights into the strategies, experiences, and issues of other companies.

The AE Peer Group is designed as a long-term working group.

• Group size: 8 to 12 companies per group.
  This size facilitates in-depth discussions, personal relationships, and an exchange based on trust.
  
• Host Principle: The group follows a decentralized hosting model.
• Meetings are held at alternating locations:
  › at participating companies
  › at selected partner companies
  › at neutral, external venues
  The focus is not on a fixed event location, but rather on the exchange between participants within the specific corporate context.
  
• Formats:
  › In-person meetings
  › Online working sessions
  › Moderated roundtables
  › Exchange of experiences based on real-world cases
  › Optional Community Events as part of  AE Life
  Face-to-face interaction forms the foundation for trust and lasting relationships. Digital formats complement collaboration between meetings.
  
• Organization:
  › Duration: 12 months
  › Option to extend
  › Collaborative planning of topics and schedule with participants
  › Continuous development of content 
• Perspective:
  
  The AE Cybersecurity Peer Group is part of a long-term network dedicated to the exchange of ideas regarding cybersecurity, digital resilience, and information security. Each AE peer group deliberately comprises only a limited number of selected companies to foster a relationship of trust and facilitate in-depth, peer-level dialogue. Depending on demand, additional peer groups may be formed with distinct compositions and varying company profiles, areas of responsibility, or thematic focuses. 

Participation requires membership in the AE Peers network.

Admission is granted exclusively:

• by invitation
• following a personal introduction
• upon agreement within the group

The number of participating companies per group is deliberately limited.

Information regarding terms and conditions will be provided during a personal discussion.