At the NeurIPS 2025 AI conference in San Diego, General Motors (GM) engaged in pivotal discussions regarding the practical applications of AI in real-world settings, particularly in autonomy and robotics. GM’s team, including Director of Autonomous Vehicle Research Ben Snyder, emphasized the importance of developing AI systems that perform safely in everyday conditions, moving beyond theoretical frameworks to operational implementations.

A key focus of GM’s contributions was on the application of AI in production environments. During a session titled "Practical AI for the Physical World," John Anderson, Executive Director of AI Research at GM, highlighted the integration of AI in robotics and manufacturing. He addressed GM's advancements in using AI to enhance collaborative robots for improved safety and ergonomics, ensuring these systems work efficiently in production scenarios.

The prominence of robotics at NeurIPS 2025 signaled its growing relevance within the research community, a trend that GM is keen to leverage. The interest at GM’s booth transformed from casual inquiries about autonomy and robotics to in-depth discussions about translating research into viable technologies.

The conference culminated in GM’s Executive Mixer, led by Vice President of Autonomy Rashed Haq, which aligned industry leaders with researchers. Participants shared insights into reinforcement learning and efficient reasoning under real-world constraints, reflecting an industry shift towards practical AI applications.

GM's presence at NeurIPS 2025 not only facilitated critical exchanges on innovative AI solutions but also underscored the company's commitment to engaging with cutting-edge research, essential for advancing large-scale autonomous systems and robotics in the future.

What Supply Chain Leaders Should Start, Stop, and Prioritize in 2026

As AI becomes essential for supply chain effectiveness, leaders in manufacturing and distribution must take strategic actions to optimize performance in 2026. With over 60% of supply chain leaders identifying AI as a critical technology, companies must clarify how to utilize it meaningfully.

First, organizations should stop making investments based on limited data. Addressing information silos is vital to establish a modern data foundation that increases visibility and boosts customer satisfaction. By pinpointing essential data, such as quality or order metrics, firms can improve their data quality and drive informed AI initiatives.

Next, companies should shift from relying solely on historical data. Incorporating real-time and external datasets alongside AI can provide predictive insights for better decision-making. Utilizing AI tools enhances data interpretation, allowing human teams to merge intuition with real-time analytics for swift, accurate responses to market changes.

To fortify efficiency and preparedness, leaders should implement digital twins and AI simulations for scenario planning, anticipating risks like supply chain disruptions. This technology enables quick assessment of potential outcomes, guiding strategic adjustments and reinforcing operational resilience.

AI should also be employed to automate tedious tasks rather than replacing staff. By offloading routine decisions to AI, human expertise is conserved for more complex responsibilities, fostering a more efficient workforce.

Finally, AI investments must align with explicit business cases, targeting high-ROI automation opportunities. Leaders should foster change management to enhance adoption rates, ensuring that AI initiatives yield tangible benefits and improvements in operations. By adhering to these principles, businesses can harness AI effectively to navigate challenges and optimize supply chain performance into 2026 and beyond.

Trener Robotics has successfully secured $32 million in a Series A funding round to enhance its AI-powered industrial automation platform, Acteris. This cutting-edge agentic AI platform is designed to transform traditional industrial robots into intelligent, self-learning collaborators. With total funding exceeding $38 million, the capital will primarily support research and development, skill training, global talent acquisition, and market expansion.

Acteris stands out by utilizing conversational input to automate tasks, allowing operators to describe workflows in their own words. This not only simplifies robot programming but also enables robots to adapt in real-time to dynamic production environments. The platform incorporates physical AI to harness visual, language, and movement data, making it robust and flexible.

Manufacturers integrating Acteris into their operations can expect numerous advantages, including:

• Natural conversation-based robot programming, making automation accessible to users of various skill levels.
• Improved part identification through advanced vision systems, even in challenging conditions.
• Enhanced motion optimization and intelligent collision avoidance, promoting safety and efficiency.
• Real-time dashboards for monitoring production performance.

Trener Robotics has gained significant traction, forming partnerships with over 15 solution providers across Europe and the U.S., and integrating with prominent robot manufacturers like ABB and FANUC. The growth potential is substantial, driven by the increasing demand for adaptable automation to address labor shortages and rising operational costs.

With a strong foundation in advanced AI and a commitment to democratizing access to automation technologies, Trener Robotics is positioning itself as a leader in the next generation of software-defined robotics, crucially supporting small and mid-sized enterprises in their competitive landscape.

Frankfurt, Feb 10, 2026 — The emergence of AI-powered robots is reshaping industries, with projections indicating a multitrillion-dollar market. This evolution, according to Takayuki Ito of the International Federation of Robotics, marks a shift where AI evolves from a supportive tool to a vital enabler of robotic capabilities, efficiency, and adaptability.

Key sectors adopting AI in robotics include logistics and warehousing, which are benefiting from high demand and investment in controlled environments. Integration here enhances supply chain management, making operations more resilient and efficient.

Manufacturing and industrial automation are also reaping the rewards. By employing AI and robotics, companies are streamlining operations across various sectors, including automotive and pharmaceuticals. Robotics play a crucial role in factory automation and precision assembly, contributing to higher quality outputs.

The service sector is rapidly embracing AI and robotics to enhance human-robot interaction, vital in addressing labor shortages post-pandemic. For instance, some restaurants have begun utilizing robotic servers and kitchen assistants to improve efficiency while allowing human staff to focus on customer service.

Additionally, advancements in Physical AI enable robots to train in virtual settings, enhancing their functionality based on experience. This trend has garnered substantial investment from tech giants like Amazon and Tesla in the U.S., alongside strategic moves from companies like ABB and SoftBank in Europe.

Looking ahead, the next five to ten years will likely witness widespread AI adoption in robotics, promising improved efficiency, reduced errors, and lower maintenance costs. This shift is anticipated to yield a faster return on investment for businesses integrated with AI technology.