O3ai’s Second Lunch and Learn Event Marks Another Step Towards Saudi Vision 2030 and Future Factories Program Initiative

O3ai Lunch and Learn : Building the Digital Backbone of Smart Manufacturing

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 7, 2025

O3ai successfully hosted its second Lunch and Learn event at Obeikan Knowledge Academy in Riyadh, convening manufacturing professionals, plant leaders, and digital transformation experts to explore how robust infrastructure enables the next generation of smart factories.

Laying the Foundations for Industry 4.0

Titled “Smart Manufacturing Infrastructure: IT & OT Foundations for Success,” this session emphasized the strategic importance of converging IT and OT systems to create intelligent, connected, and resilient manufacturing environments.

Key topics included:

• Designing scalable cloud and cybersecurity architectures
• Integrating ERP systems for seamless data flow
• Enabling real-time visibility through edge computing and IoT
• Aligning infrastructure strategy with operational excellence

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Expert Contributions and Real-World Demonstration

The event featured three focused presentations:

• Saber Atiyeh presented the critical link between infrastructure and continuous operational improvement.
• Syed Muhammad Azfar Uddin provided insights into IT readiness, covering cloud, security, and ERP integration.
• Sherif Abdellatif, MBA demonstrated how modern OT infrastructure connects physical assets to enterprise systems using edge technologies and industrial protocols.

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Live Machine Connectivity in Action

One of the standout moments of the Lunch and Learn was the live machine connectivity demonstration, where participants saw firsthand how O3ai captures data from industrial equipment and processes it in real time at the edge. The setup showcased a fully integrated data flow — from sensors and PLCs on the shop floor to edge computing nodes that contextualize and transmit data securely to cloud systems and dashboards. This demonstration highlighted how manufacturers can eliminate visibility gaps, reduce latency, and make immediate decisions based on live operational insights. For attendees, it was a clear example of how smart infrastructure translates into actionable intelligence on the factory floor.

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Driving Momentum Across the Manufacturing Sector

With over 60 attendees from 40+ organizations, the event fostered high engagement, meaningful dialogue, and peer exchange. Attendees praised the relevance of the topics and the opportunity to see real solutions in action. The strong turnout and participation underscore the industry’s commitment to advancing smart manufacturing through foundational digital infrastructure.

Reflecting on the event, Fouad Toumert, Director of Smart Operations and Head of Product Management – Lean Sigma & Digital Transformation at O3ai, highlighted how the session introduced O3ai’s evolving vision — including the upcoming Version 5, which leverages Agentic and Semantic AI to support the shift from Software as a Service to Industry as a Service, paving the way for the Dark Factory concept and industry-specific intelligence.

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As O3ai continues its Lunch and Learn series, this event marks another step forward in enabling scalable, secure, and insight-driven operations across the region.