People-Centric Future: Re-integrating Humans into Industry: Production Perspective
In the world of industrial revolution, a new chapter is being proposed by Sarah Tilkens, the former GE Healthcare lean guru and current head of the KPI Lab. Tilkens is advocating for Industry 5.0, a shift from the technological advancements that have been the main focus of Industry 4.0.
Industry 4.0, primarily associated with manufacturing, has been characterised by automation, connectivity, and data-driven smart manufacturing through cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and AI for process optimization. However, Tilkens expresses concerns about the focus on productivity and efficiency leading to worker burnout and disengagement.
In contrast, Industry 5.0, as proposed by Tilkens, is centred around human-led innovation. This new approach emphasises the collaboration and synergy between humans and advanced technologies, rather than mere automation. The focus is on designing technologies that complement and augment human capabilities, such as collaborative robots (cobots) and AI that support real-time adaptive operations and enhance human decision-making.
The human-machine collaboration in Industry 5.0 also incorporates sustainability, resilience, and ethical responsibility as core pillars of industrial design. This makes Industry 5.0 more holistic compared to the automation-driven Industry 4.0.
Jill Jusko, a seasoned writer on continuous improvement and operational excellence, was the recipient of Tilkens' thoughts on Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. The KPI Lab, led by Tilkens, is involved in discussions about the need for Industry 5.0, but the specific details about the purpose or focus of the KPI Lab beyond its involvement in these discussions are yet to be disclosed.
Industry 5.0's incorporation of sustainability and ethical dimensions into industrial progress reflects a broader societal shift towards responsible and adaptive manufacturing practices. It is a move away from the large-scale automation and digitalization of industrial processes that characterised Industry 4.0, towards a more human-centric approach that integrates human creativity, expertise, and ethical considerations with smart technologies.
[1] Salierno et al., 2025; Whitley, 2025; Bots, 2025 [2] PMC article, 2025 [3] Further context is not provided in the given information.
- The KPI Lab, under the leadership of Sarah Tilkens, is advocating for Industry 5.0, a shift in industry that emphasizes human-led innovation and collaboration with advanced technologies, aiming to design sustainable and ethical industrial practices.
- The finance and business sectors might see a significant transformation as Industry 5.0, with its focus on human-centric approach and holistic design principles, emerges as a potential solution to address worker burnout and disengagement issues.
