Industry 5.0: Are we any closer?

A couple of years ago, I wrote about Industry 5.0 and its potential to catalyze a paradigm shift in manufacturing. At its core, Industry 5.0 promises a transformative future for manufacturing—one that emphasizes human-centric values and sustainability alongside technological advancements. Since writing that blog (Is Industry 5.0 another hype bubble or potential for a paradigm shift in manufacturing?), generative AI (GenAI) has exploded on the scene. The world has also experienced dramatic geopolitical upheavals, underscoring the importance of resilience as a cornerstone for success.

As we enter a new year, I want to take a moment to assess: are we any closer to Industry 5.0?

Progress beyond the buzzwords

Certain advancements hint at a forward momentum:

• Human-centric technology

  Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing the role of the human workforce; many seek ways to address talent shortages while preparing for the impending retirement of a large portion of their workforce. Collaborative robots (cobots) are now a reality in many factories, working alongside humans to enhance safety, efficiency and satisfaction. GenAI is on the scene, supporting development and research units. Yet, these advancements are not universal. Adopting such technologies is still fragmented, often hindered by cost, infrastructure limitations, or resistance to change.

• Sustainability focus

  Once seen as optional, sustainability initiatives are now central to manufacturing strategies. Circular economy models, waste reduction, and energy-efficient processes are gaining traction, driven by regulatory pressure and consumer demand. Many manufacturers have set 2050 net-zero targets; other more ambitious companies have chosen a 2030 timeline. Regardless of deadlines, the path ahead is a complex one, where sustainability is fast becoming a “must have” rather than a USP.

• Resilience in action

  If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of resilience. Manufacturers have invested heavily in supply chain visibility, data-driven decision-making, and flexible production methods. But while these efforts are noteworthy, many businesses still struggle with balancing resilience with cost-effectiveness.

So, are we any closer?

Against a backdrop of economic slowdowns, geopolitical uncertainty, and the need to be laser-focused on costs, some might consider Industry 5.0 idealistic. Yet, looking a little deeper, we see a definite shift toward purpose-driven manufacturing. The core tenets of Industry 5.0—becoming human- and planet-focused—have moved from a speculative idea to informing principles for forward-thinking manufacturers, guided by KPIs as their compass. However, the gap between aspiration and implementation highlights the need for continued effort, collaboration and innovation. 

Perhaps rather than asking, are we there yet? the better question is, are we headed in the right direction?

Looking to the future

For Industry 5.0 to become more than a buzzword, stakeholders across the manufacturing ecosystem must commit to its principles. Government, industry and academia must work together to create frameworks that enable human-centric, sustainable and resilient production systems, supported by innovations in technology.

The real paradigm shift lies not in the technologies themselves but in how we choose to wield them. And that, as always, depends on us. This is where the concept of unified manufacturing could hold the answer.

Unified Manufacturing: The key to Industry 5.0

At CGI, we believe that achieving the vision of Industry 5.0 requires manufacturers to become truly unified—digitally connected, data-driven, secure, and scalable. This approach goes beyond integrating technology; it’s about creating a seamless, holistic ecosystem—with humans at the center—that empowers manufacturers to thrive in an era of complexity and rapid change.

For some organizations at the beginning of their journey, this approach will be focused solely on their own organizations; for those further along that understand the need for collaborative ecosystems, this approach will go beyond the organization's boundaries.

Four core components of Unified Manufacturing

1. Digitally orchestrated

   Unified Manufacturing starts with an integrated and unified view of operations—whether it’s a production line, supply chain, or the entire ecosystem. Breaking down silos through tools like a manufacturing execution system (MES), digital twins, and AI-powered dashboards provides the end-to-end visibility needed for enhanced decision-making and process optimization. This "digital continuum" creates a bird’s-eye view that empowers manufacturers to move forward with confidence and clarity.

2. Data-driven

   Growing complexity in manufacturing requires more than raw data—it requires actionable insights. Manufacturers can unlock innovative, sustainable, and resilient operations by leveraging AI responsibly and aligning data practices with ethical standards. Success will rely on a strong data foundation, collaboration across IT and business units, and a culture that embraces transformation. From an ecosystem perspective, becoming data-driven will support real-time decisions and actions that enable supply chain resilience alongside demand and capacity management.

3. Secure

   Manufacturers face heightened cybersecurity risks as digital factories and connected value chains become the norm. Traditional IT security measures alone are insufficient. A unified approach requires protecting operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICSs) alongside people, processes and governance. Proactive security measures are critical to ensuring stability and mitigating threats before they materialize. It’s equally important to extend security strategies to ecosystem partners.

4. Scalable

   Scalability ensures manufacturers can adapt to changing demands and accelerate growth without compromising efficiency. Managed IT services, for instance, allow manufacturers to focus on core operations while benefiting from advanced technologies like automation, cloud computing, and data analytics. This approach reduces downtime, optimizes resources, and supports long-term transformation. Timely and proper onboarding of small and medium enterprises is critical to support scalability.

Charting the path forward with Unified Manufacturing

Adopting Unified Manufacturing doesn’t just support Industry 5.0 principles—it actively drives them. It’s an approach that enables manufacturers to balance human-centric values, sustainability, and resilience while unlocking the full potential of advanced technologies.

We’ve seen pockets of progress in the last couple of years, but the real paradigm shift will occur when manufacturers embrace integration at every level of their organization.

Contact me to learn how we can guide your transformation so you can become leaders in the next industrial revolution.