世界经济论坛-物理人工智能：推动工业运营的新时代（英）

Physical AI: Powering the New Age of Industrial OperationsW H I T E P A P E RS E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5In collaboration with Boston Consulting GroupImages: Getty Images, MidjourneyDisclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders.© 2025 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.ContentsForeword 3Executive summary 4Introduction 51 What’s new: Breakthroughs in intelligent robotics 61.1 Technological breakthroughs redefining robotic capabilities 61.2 Enhanced capabilities enabling end-to-end automation 71.3 Limitations yet to be resolved 102 Where it is working: Frontier applications 112.1 Revolutionizing the manufacturing value chain 122.2 Spotlight on the pioneers – transformation journeys 13 of early adopters 3 How it scales: Technology platforms and partnerships 163.1 The new physical AI technology stack 163.2 Strategic partnerships are essential 174 Who leads it: Empowering the new industrial workforce 184.1 A target picture for robotics and workforce development 184.2 A shift in skills and roles 184.3 The new workforce imperatives 20Conclusion: Time for action 21Contributors 22Endnotes 252Physical AI: Powering the New Age of Industrial OperationsForewordAmid mounting global pressures – from economic volatility and geopolitical disruption to growing supply-chain complexity, and labour and talent shortages – industrial operations are entering a transformative new phase. While these challenges are not new, heightened uncertainty has significantly intensified their impact, forcing a fundamental rethink of how work is organized, executed and scaled.At this inflection point, a new era of industrial automation is emerging – powered by physical AI. These intelligent robotic systems combine perception, reasoning and action, enabling a level of autonomy and adaptability that marks a critical juncture in industrial automation. By bridging the digital and physical realms, physical AI promises to reimagine how industrial systems function – from factory floors to supply chains.As physical AI becomes increasingly viable and strategically essential, industry leaders are seeking a deeper understanding of how to make use of these innovations for sustainable, long-term competitiveness. At such a pivotal moment, this white paper – developed through the World Economic Forum’s Next Frontier of Operations initiative in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group – builds on a tradition of strategic fo