Industrial automation is entering a revolutionary phase where artificial intelligence seamlessly integrates with human expertise, according to Honeywell Process Solutions CEO Jim Masso. The executive made this significant announcement during his keynote address at the Honeywell Users Group 2025 Europe Conference held in The Hague, Netherlands.
The Evolution of Automation: From DCS to AI Ecosystems
Addressing industry leaders and experts at the conference, Masso traced Honeywell's remarkable journey from developing the world's first distributed control system five decades ago to today's interconnected digital ecosystems. The original objective of automation - achieving deterministic outcomes - remains fundamental even as AI reshapes the entire landscape, Masso emphasized during his presentation.
The company's future direction, as outlined by Masso, focuses on digital cognition and closed-loop AI systems that can effectively see, think, act, and learn. These advanced technologies are built upon Honeywell's robust Honeywell Forge platform and its comprehensive Digital Prime ecosystem, designed to merge deep industry knowledge with data-powered intelligence.
Human-Centric AI Implementation
While technology advancements dominate headlines, Masso stressed that people continue to be the most crucial element in industrial transformation. Drawing insights from recent AI discussions, he revealed that projects become 2.5 times more successful when CEOs actively champion adoption. However, the real transformation occurs at the ground level, within plant operations.
What's particularly encouraging is that operators themselves are becoming enthusiastic about these new capabilities, Masso observed. He shared an inspiring example from a chemical refinery where young operators with merely two days of experience were already efficiently managing an AI-enabled facility using Honeywell's Forge-based systems.
Cybersecurity and Autonomous Future
Masso issued a crucial warning about cybersecurity challenges evolving at the same rapid pace as automation technologies. He emphasized the urgent need for domain-specific security platforms that integrate tightly with operational technology systems to ensure resilience as industrial networks become increasingly interconnected.
Cybersecurity must advance at the same speed as automation, the CEO asserted, highlighting this as a critical priority for the industry.
In a major milestone announcement, Masso revealed the launch of Honeywell's Autonomy X, a groundbreaking initiative designed to accelerate AI adoption and autonomous control systems across multiple sectors including energy, chemicals, mining, and life sciences. This program represents the company's commitment to creating assets that are more connected, software-enhanced, and capable of delivering optimal operational outcomes while maintaining essential human oversight through systems like the Experion Cognition platform.
