From Industry 4.0 to 5.0

So, what is changing?

Industry 4.0 revolutionized digital connectivity, automation and data-driven decision-making. Smart machines, real-time data and the IoT have made production processes more efficient and predictable than ever. But despite impressive technological progress, one crucial factor has often been overlooked: people.

That’s why Industry 5.0 is taking it a step further. This new phase of industrial development brings human creativity and intuition together with the power of technology. It’s all about the synergy between human and machine, with a focus on personalization, sustainability and wellbeing.

The European Commission defines Industry 5.0 as:
"Industry 5.0 offers a vision of industry that goes beyond efficiency and productivity as the sole objectives, and emphasizes the role and contribution of industry to society."

AI and generative AI

Technology with a wide reach

Artificial intelligence – and specifically generative AI – present industry with untold opportunities. Examples include quality control via computer vision, predictive maintenance, and personalized production at scale.
Still, many companies struggle with the question: how do you implement AI without increasing complexity? Pauwels Consulting helps organizations make exactly that transition—every single day. Our consultants identify the right use cases and ensure sustainable, scalable implementations.

And the potential is significant: according to a recent study, AI can deliver up to a 15% increase in productivity in manufacturing and contribute as much as 1.2% to global economic growth annually over the next decade.¹

The role of consultants in this transition

The shift from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 is about more than just technology. There is a need for strategic support and guidance, which is where consultants come into their own.

Consultants bring insights from other sectors, question orthodoxies about how things are done that have become set in stone, and introduce new perspectives. At Pauwels Consulting, we not only support customers with their technical challenges, but also in organizational terms: from strategy and process design to training and change management.

Emerging trends

Low-code and sustainable production

Alongside AI, we are also seeing a notable increase in the popularity of low-code and no-code platforms. These tools enable fast and efficient digitization of processes without relying on a large-scale IT department. This significantly lowers the barrier to innovation.

Sustainability is a further dominant trend. Companies are looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint by adapting their production processes to tap into renewable energy sources, for example by running energy-hungry processes at night. Pauwels Consulting assists customers with smart production planning and energy optimization to help them cut costs and be more sustainable.

🇧🇪 The future of Belgian industry

Belgian industry is at a turning point. Digitalization is here to stay, but the question now is: how do we bring about a balance between technology and people?

Rates of burnout and stress continue to rise, all while startups are injecting fresh energy into the market with innovative, human-centric solutions. Companies that stick rigidly to outdated ways of doing things risk being left behind in this rapidly evolving context.

Conclusion: Synergy is the key to success

Industry 4.0 paved the way for digital optimization. But, Industry 5.0 takes it further, aiming to bring about harmonious cooperation between the human, machine and the environment.

Our consultants help companies successfully make this transition. They ensure technology is used effectively, responsibly and in a human-centric way. Because the future of industry is about synergies – finding that balance is what will make the difference.

¹ Source:
McKinsey Global Institute & ServiceNow AI Market Forecast