Taking place June 17, E Tech Group, a leading provider of industrial automation and systems integration, will be hosting an online live session, “AI-Ready or Not: The Hidden IT/OT Risks Blocking AI in Manufacturing.” The session will explore the often-overlooked infrastructure and data challenges manufacturers must address to successfully deploy artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives at scale. Below, E Tech CEO Matt Wise explains what manufacturers may be missing when assessing AI’s usefulness.
MPT: What are some of the challenges manufacturers are facing while we’re still in the early stages of AI adoption?
Matt Wise: As manufacturers accelerate investments in AI and advanced analytics, many encounter unexpected barriers rooted in their existing IT and operational technology (OT) environments. Challenges related to data quality, system integration, and infrastructure readiness remain key obstacles. Issues such as unstable network architecture, fragmented systems, inconsistent data, and gaps in historian strategy can significantly limit the effectiveness of AI-driven solutions.
MPT: Could you tell me a bit about your live session, “AI-Ready or Not: The Hidden IT/OT Risks Blocking AI in Manufacturing”?
Matt Wise: This live session is designed to help manufacturing leaders identify and address these foundational challenges before they derail AI initiatives.
Manufacturers are under pressure to adopt AI, but many are trying to build on a foundation that isn’t ready. Without a secure, well-architected IT/OT environment, organizations risk stalled initiatives and missed ROI. This session will help leaders better understand the risks and take a more strategic approach to AI readiness.
The session will be led by E Tech Group subject matter experts Eric Medecke, director of IT/OT solutions, and Kevin Romer, industrial IT specialist, who bring deep experience in industrial cybersecurity, network architecture, and IT/OT convergence. Together, they will guide attendees through real-world challenges and practical solutions for strengthening the infrastructure required to support AI.
MPT: What goals have you set for attendees of the live session?
Matt Wise: During the session, attendees will identify common IT/OT risks that hinder AI deployment in manufacturing environments, evaluate the readiness of their infrastructure, data architecture, and systems integration, participate in an interactive “AI-Ready or Not?” diagnostic to benchmark their current state, and learn practical strategies to improve data reliability, system connectivity, and scalability
One of the presenters, Eric Medecke, stated he wants to give manufacturers a clear picture of how their systems, networks, and data environments are performing and where vulnerabilities exist.
MPT: How does this live session fit within E Tech Group’s overall mission?
Matt Wise: With deep expertise in industrial automation, digital transformation, and systems integration, E Tech Group helps manufacturers bridge the gap between IT and OT ensuring data flows securely and reliably from the plant floor to enterprise systems. This integrated approach enables organizations to move beyond pilot programs and successfully scale AI initiatives across operations.
The session is intended for professionals across manufacturing organizations, including leaders in IT, operations, engineering, and maintenance who are responsible for driving digital transformation and operational performance.
E Tech Group is a global automation engineering and system integration firm with locations spanning eight countries across three continents. Backed by a team of over 800 professionals, the company delivers cutting-edge automation, control, and information solutions to clients in the life sciences, data centers, consumer products, food and beverage, and industrial sectors. For more information, and to register for the live session, visit www.etechgroup.com.