Lyon, France – May 26, 2025 – We hosted the NARRATE Workshop – Advancing Digital Manufacturing, a hybrid event held at INSA Lyon and online. The workshop brought together a diverse group of industry leaders and researchers to foster dialogue, share cutting-edge insights, and lay the foundation for future developments in smart manufacturing, AI-driven decision-making, and supply chain resilience.
The day was packed with engaging discussions and expert presentations, all centered on the theme of digital transformation in manufacturing, with a particular focus on the revolutionary potential of Generative AI.
A Look at the Day’s Highlights:
The workshop started with a warm Welcome and worshop introduction by Amparo Roca de Togores , Coordinator of the NARRATE Project, setting the stage for a day of collaborative learning.
The first substantive session, “Generative AI in Manufacturing – Opportunities & Challenges”, led by Prof. Michael Papazoglou, Executive Director of ServTech, sparked a lively open discussion. Participants explored how Generative AI can redefine design, optimize processes, and unlock new levels of efficiency, while also addressing the inherent challenges in its implementation.
Following a networking lunch break, the afternoon kicked off with a compelling Roundtable on “Operational Resilience in the Age of AI.” This session featured cross-project perspectives from:
- Bruno Puzzolante, Senior Innovation Consultant and Project Manager at Cefriel, representing our sister project M4ESTRO, shared expertise on logistics chain disruption indicators and human-centered manufacturing resilience.
- Dr. Stavros Lounis, Communication and Dissemination Manager for the Tec4MaaSEs project, provided valuable insights on accentuating and diffusing project outcomes for broader societal and manufacturing benefits.
This roundtable underscored the importance of cross-Horizon collaboration in building robust, AI-powered supply chains.
The deep dive into AI continued with Prof. Said HACID from LIRIS Laboratory-Lyon 1 University, who presented fascinating insights on “AI and Generative AI in polymers & plastics”, showcasing specific applications within a critical industry sector.
The penultimate session, “Data and knowledge AI-driven DSS for S&OP/S&OE in automotive industry,” delivered by Prof. Armand BABOLI from LIRIS Laboratory-INSA Lyon, alongside Michel Ruhla from Renault Trucks/Volvo Group, provided a practical and industry-specific view of AI’s impact on sales & operations planning and execution in the automotive sector.
The workshop concluded with Closing Remarks & Next Steps from Prof. Michael Papazoglou, summarizing key takeaways and outlining future opportunities for collaboration and development stemming from the day’s rich discussions.
Missed the Workshop?
- Workshop Recap video
- Presentations: Contact us to have access to the general presentation: info@project-narrate.eu
Stay tuned for more updates on NARRATE project developments and future events!
