Who should I follow to learn about industrial and manufacturing tech?

If you want to **actually understand industrial/manufacturing technology** - not just hear about the latest “AI for factories” hype - I’d follow a mix of technical people, trade publications, and industry organizations. ### Start with these - **Automation World** - Probably the best broad feed for industrial automation: PLCs, robotics, machine vision, industrial networking, controls, MES, AI, and plant-floor technology. Their current coverage includes everything from robot platforms to brownfield modernization and manufacturing data. [Home | Automation World](https://www.automationworld.com/home?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Automation World](https://www.automationworld.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT)** - Follow if you're interested in CNCs, machine tools, additive manufacturing, automation, and the economics of manufacturing technology. Their 2026 automation report specifically covers cobots, modular automation, and AMRs. [AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology](https://www.amtonline.org/home?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [AMT](https://www.amtonline.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **The Robot Report** - Good for industrial robotics, warehouse robotics, humanoids, funding, startups, and commercial deployments. It's particularly useful for understanding *which robotic technologies are becoming actual businesses* rather than just research projects. [Best Robotics & Automation Newsletters (2026): Hark's Ranked List - Hark News](https://hark.news/best-robotics-newsletters?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **IEEE Spectrum's robotics coverage** - More engineering/research oriented. I'd use it alongside The Robot Report so you're seeing both the technical developments and the commercial side. [Best Robotics & Automation Newsletters (2026): Hark's Ranked List - Hark News](https://hark.news/best-robotics-newsletters?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Manufacturing Leadership Council** - Useful for seeing what large manufacturers are actually doing with digital transformation, AI, automation, data, and connected operations. Its 2026 awards highlight real-world transformation projects rather than hypothetical technology. [2026 Manufacturing Leadership Award Finalists and Winners - Manufacturing Leadership Council](https://manufacturingleadershipcouncil.com/leadership-awards/2026-manufacturing-leadership-award-finalists/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### For the *people* side Rather than giving you a random list of famous executives, I'd look for people who consistently post about one of these areas: - **Controls / OT:** PLCs, SCADA, motion control, industrial Ethernet - **Robotics:** industrial robots, cobots, AMRs, machine vision - **Manufacturing software:** MES/MOM, ERP, PLM, digital twins - **Factory AI:** computer vision, predictive maintenance, industrial agents - **Advanced manufacturing:** CNC, additive, materials, semiconductor equipment - **Industrial cybersecurity:** OT security and safety - **Operations:** lean manufacturing, reliability, maintenance, factory engineering One particularly useful trick: **follow the engineers and integrators who build/deploy the systems, not only the CEOs of the companies selling them.** You'll get much less marketing and much more information about what actually works on a factory floor. ### If I were building your feed I'd use roughly this mix: **30% technical practitioners → 25% robotics/automation → 20% manufacturing operations → 15% manufacturing economics → 10% frontier tech/AI.** That combination gives you a picture of **how factories actually work, what technology is changing them, and which innovations are commercially meaningful**. If you tell me whether you're more interested in **robotics, factory automation, CNC/machine tools, industrial AI, semiconductors, or manufacturing startups/investing**, I can give you a much more specific list of ~15 people/accounts to follow.

**If you want to learn about industrial and manufacturing technology, follow a mix of academic leaders, industry executives, and influencers who share practical insights on automation, Industry 4.0, supply chains, and advanced manufacturing.** ## 🌟 Key People to Follow Name| Role / Focus| Why Follow ---|---|--- **Sheri Hinish ("Supply Chain Queen")**| CEO of Supply Chain Revolution| Shares insights on sustainability, circular economy, and supply chain innovation.[Top 10: Manufacturing Influencers | Manufacturing Digital](https://manufacturingdigital.com/top10/top-10-manufacturing-influencers) **A. John Hart**| MIT Mechanical Engineering Dept. Head| Co-founded VulcanForms & Desktop Metal; pioneer in industrial-scale additive manufacturing.[Top 10: Manufacturing Influencers | Manufacturing Digital](https://manufacturingdigital.com/top10/top-10-manufacturing-influencers) **Allison Roberts Grealis**| Founder, Women in Manufacturing Association| Advocates for diversity in manufacturing and hosts _Hear Her Story_ podcast.[Top 10: Manufacturing Influencers | Manufacturing Digital](https://manufacturingdigital.com/top10/top-10-manufacturing-influencers) **Mark Terryberry**| Haas Automation YouTube educator| Creates accessible CNC machining and automation tutorials (371K+ subscribers).[Top 10: Manufacturing Influencers | Manufacturing Digital](https://manufacturingdigital.com/top10/top-10-manufacturing-influencers) **Tom Raftery**| Futurist & SAP Global VP| Covers digital twins, smart factories, and sustainability in manufacturing.[Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Manufacturing 2024 | Thinkers360](https://www.thinkers360.com/top-50-global-thought-leaders-and-influencers-on-manufacturing-2024/) **Scott Luton**| Founder, Supply Chain Now| Runs podcasts and events on supply chain and manufacturing leadership.[Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Manufacturing 2024 | Thinkers360](https://www.thinkers360.com/top-50-global-thought-leaders-and-influencers-on-manufacturing-2024/) **Lisa Anderson**| Supply Chain & Operations Strategist| Advises manufacturers on digital transformation and operational performance.[Manufacturing Thought Leaders 2026: Top 50 List](https://www.lma-consultinggroup.com/lisa-anderson-makes-50-best-thought-leaders-in-manufacturing-2026-list/) **Jeff Liker**| Author of _The Toyota Way_| Authority on Lean manufacturing and cultural transformation.[Best Manufacturing Keynote Speakers 2026](https://toddhagopian.com/blog/best-manufacturing-keynote-speakers-2026/) **Titan Gilroy**| CEO, TITANS of CNC| Focuses on workforce training and CNC machining education.[Best Manufacturing Keynote Speakers 2026](https://toddhagopian.com/blog/best-manufacturing-keynote-speakers-2026/) **Jensen Huang**| CEO of NVIDIA| Leading voice on industrial AI, robotics, and digital twins.[Best Manufacturing Innovation Keynote Speakers in 2026 - Josh Linkner](https://joshlinkner.com/top-manufacturing-innovation-keynote-speakers/) ## 📌 How to Use These Voices * **Academics(Hart, Liker)** → Best for deep technical knowledge and frameworks. * **Executives(Huang, Anderson, Canady)** → Insight into real-world transformation strategies. * **Influencers(Hinish, Terryberry, Grealis)** → Accessible content, podcasts, and social media engagement. * **Practitioners(Gilroy, Greenblatt)** → Shop-floor experience and workforce development. ## ⚠️ Risks & Considerations * **Hype vs. Reality**: Some influencers may oversell “Industry 4.0” buzzwords. Balance their content with academic or practitioner voices. * **Platform Bias**: LinkedIn and YouTube are dominant, but Twitter/X and podcasts also host valuable discussions. * **Rapid Change**: AI, robotics, and supply chain tech evolve quickly. Following diverse voices helps avoid outdated perspectives. 👉 Would you like me to curate a **shortlist of the most active LinkedIn accounts** in this space so you can start following them right away? That way, you’ll get a steady stream of updates in your feed.

To learn about industrial and manufacturing technology - spanning automation, Industry 4.0, robotics, and smart factories - it helps to follow a mix of industry analysts, practicing engineers, researchers, and specialized media outlets. Here are top resources, thought leaders, and organizations to follow across platforms like LinkedIn, newsletters, and podcasts: ### 1\. Industry Analysts & Thought Leaders (LinkedIn & Newsletters) * **Dr. Eng. Hooman Samani:** Known for expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced industrial systems. * **The "Industry 4.0" and IoT Experts:** Look up voices like **Walker Reynolds** (known for his work on Industrie 4.0 and Unified Namespace architectures) and **Dan Isaacs** (from the Digital Manufacturing Institute, MxD), who frequently share insights on smart manufacturing and digital transformation. * **Kiran Petkus:** Often shares practical frameworks around modern manufacturing operations, industrial automation, and supply chain tech. ### 2\. Media Outlets & Publications * **The Manufacturer:** A leading UK-based publication covering digital transformation, leadership, and operational tech in manufacturing. * **Automation World:** Excellent for deep dives into industrial control systems, software, operational technology (OT), and cybersecurity. * **Manufacturing Tomorrow:** Covers cutting-edge engineering, robotics, 3D printing, and factory automation components. * **Fast Company / TechCrunch (Industrial sections):** Good for tracking venture capital, hardware startups, and massive shifts in physical tech. ### 3\. Key Organizations & Institutes * **MxD (Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity):** Based in Chicago, they are a leader in the US driving research into cybersecurity in manufacturing and digital twin technology. * **The World Economic Forum (Advanced Manufacturing):** Their "Lighthouse Network" highlights factories adopting fourth-industrial-revolution (4IR) technologies at scale. Following their reports gives you a blueprint of what top global manufacturers are doing. * **NIST (Manufacturing Extension Partnership - MEP):** Great for US-centric manufacturing trends, technology adoption guides, and small-to-medium manufacturer strategies. ### 4\. Podcasts to Follow * **"The New Warehouse" or "Making Chips":** Great podcasts focused heavily on machining, manufacturing leadership, and technology adoption. * **"The Industrial Talk Podcast":** Hosted by Scott MacKenzie, it features regular interviews with industrial innovators, ecosystem builders, and tech providers. What specific area of manufacturing tech interests you most - such as **robotics and automation** , **software/IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)** , or **additive manufacturing (3D printing)**?

To dive deep into industrial and manufacturing technology (Industry 4.0, automation, IoT, smart factories, and robotics), you need a mix of hands-on practitioners, digital transformation strategists, and top-tier industry media. Here is a curated list of the best voices, newsletters, and podcasts to follow, broken down by category: Industry Podcasts & Media (Best for Deep Dives) * * **Manufacturing Happy Hour** (Hosted by Chris Luecke): Focuses on the modern industrial workforce, digital transformation, and real-world tech adoption. You can check out insights via the [Manufacturing Happy Hour LinkedIn Newsletter](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-5-next-gen-leaders-changing-way-we-think-workforce-chris-luecke). * **Automation World Get Your Questions Answered** : Excellent for deep dives into hardware, industrial software, robotics, and edge computing. Stream episodes or read reports directly on [Automation World](https://www.automationworld.com/). [Top 10 Must-Listen Podcasts for Manufacturers](https://www.globalshopsolutions.com/blog/top-10-must-listen-podcasts-for-manufacturers) * **AMT Tech Trends** : Produced by the Association For Manufacturing Technology, this covers the macro-trends and cutting-edge innovations driving the fourth industrial revolution. Learn more through AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. [Global Shop Solutions] * Influencers & Operators to Follow on LinkedIn * * **Aziz Rahman** : A heavy manufacturing and plant engineering consultant with decades of experience who shares practical strategies for optimizing operations and scaling plant tech. Follow his insights on Aziz Rahman's LinkedIn Profile. [Top LinkedIn Content on Smart Manufacturing Innovations](https://www.linkedin.com/top-content/innovation/smart-manufacturing-innovations/) * ** _Raj Grover_** : Focuses heavily on digital transformation, enterprise architecture, and applying AI to industrial operations. Follow his updates on Raj Grover's LinkedIn Profile. [LinkedIn] * **The Manufacturing Millennial** : A great follow for bridging the gap between traditional shop-floor practices and the next generation of industrial technology. Explore community resources via [The Manufacturing Millennial](https://themanufacturingmillennial.com/). * Publications & Platforms for Daily Tech Tracking * * **Manufacturing Tomorrow** : A dedicated resource tracking the technological edge of manufacturing, from advanced sensors to digital twins. Read daily updates on [Manufacturing Tomorrow](https://www.manufacturingtomorrow.com/). * **The Stack / Industry Analytics via McKinsey & Company**: For high-level economic, technological, and automation outlooks, the [McKinsey Industrial & Assembly Insights](https://www.mckinsey.com/) offer peerless whitepapers on where manufacturing tech is heading globally. * Are you more interested in the **software/IoT side** (data, automation, AI) or the **hardware/machinery side** (robotics, CNC, physical fabrication) so I can tailor these recommendations further?

- Follow industry 4.0 and manufacturing thought leaders on LinkedIn and Twitter, such as top industry influencers and accounts cited in recent roundups.[InTech APR23 Keep Up on Industry 4.0 - Follow the ...](https://www.isa.org/intech-home/2023/april-2023/columns/keeping-up-industry-4-0-follow-influencers)[The 12 Best Manufacturing Accounts to Follow on Twitter - NovaLink](https://novalinkmx.com/2020/06/18/12-best-manufacturing-accounts-follow-twitter/) - Look for curated lists like “Best manufacturing influencers,” “Thought leaders in manufacturing,” and “Industry 4.0 podcasts” to discover credible voices.[50 Best Thought Leaders in Manufacturing (2026) - Jonno White](https://www.consultclarity.org/post/50-best-thought-leaders-in-manufacturing-2026)[58 Best Industry 4.0 Podcasts to Listen to in 2026](https://podcast.feedspot.com/industry4-0_podcasts/)