IMR Connect: Digital Factory — Industrial AI and Cyber Security is designed to help members move beyond pilots and experimentation and into scaled, real-world implementation. The event brings together manufacturing leaders, IMR researchers, and technology specialists to explore how industrial AI, data, and cyber security can be deployed safely, effectively, and with measurable impact on operations.

What You Will Gain

• Move from Pilot to Production: Gain practical, peer-tested insights on scaling AI beyond proof of concept into live manufacturing environments — covering scheduling,  composites, and process optimisation.

• Understand Your Cyber Security Obligations: Receive a focused briefing on NIS2 requirements, OT-specific vulnerabilities, and actionable steps SMEs can take to  strengthen cyber resilience.

• Engage with the Digital Factory Debate: Hear manufacturers, technology providers,  and IMR practitioners examine what a truly digital factory looks like and what  practical steps will get you there.

• Attend a Breakout Stream Matched to Your Priorities: Choose from three tailored afternoon sessions — covering AI readiness, digital strategy, or funding and talent pathways including Enterprise Ireland and FXC 2.0.

• Earn 6 Hours of CPD Credits: Participation in the full day's programme qualifies for formal CPD accreditation.

What to Expect

• The morning programme opens with a high-energy keynote from Jonathan McCrea, mapping the current state of industrial AI adoption in Ireland and separating realistic deployment opportunities from market hype.

• Two moderated panel discussions follow — the first examining how Irish manufacturers are moving AI from pilot to production; the second interrogating what a genuinely digital factory looks like today and what it will take to get there.

• A dedicated cyber security session with Paul Delahunty of Stryve provides a practitioner-led overview of NIS2 compliance, operational technology (OT) vulnerabilities, and cost-effective resilience measures for SMEs.

• Following a facilitated networking lunch, the afternoon moves into three concurrent breakout streams, allowing delegates to engage in depth with the themes most relevant to their organisation — whether that is AI readiness, digital factory challenges, or funding and talent strategy.

Who Should Attend

IMR Connect is an IMR members-only event, open also to non-member organisations at €750 per person.

It is most relevant for:

• Manufacturing Directors and Operations Leaders — seeking to scale AI and digital   tools across production environments

• Digital Transformation and Innovation Managers — translating digital strategy into concrete, measurable operational programmes

• IT and OT Security Leads — responsible for cyber resilience and NIS2 compliance in smart manufacturing environments

• R&D and Technology Managers — exploring applied research collaboration   opportunities with IMR

• Business Owners and SME Leaders — assessing funding pathways, including   Enterprise Ireland and FXC 2.0 supports, for digital investment

Registration

• Free for IMR Members. Non-member organisations are welcome to attend at €750 per person.

• If you were unable to secure a place on this occasion, please signup to the newsletter to be notified of future IMR and related FactoryXChange 2.0 events.

• Learn More About IMR: Visit imr.ie.

• Enquiries: Contact the IMR team via Contact | IMR or via email marketing@imr.ie.

Agenda

• 09:30 | Registration & Networking

• 10:00 | Keynote: AI & the Factory of the Future. Jonathan McCrea — a high-energy opening mapping the current state of industrial AI adoption in Ireland, cutting through the hype to explore what manufacturers can realistically deploy today.

• 10:30 | Panel: AI on the Factory Floor — From Pilot to Production. A moderated discussion exploring how Irish manufacturers are moving AI beyond proof of concept, with real examples from scheduling, composites and process optimisation.

• 11:30 | Panel: Digital Factory — Hype, Reality & the Holy Grail. Manufacturers, technology providers and IMR practitioners examine what a truly digital factory looks like, whether AI is making a real impact on the shop floor, and what practical steps will get you there.

• 12:15 | Presentation: Securing the Smart Factory. Paul Delahunty, Stryve — a practical session covering NIS2 requirements, OT-specific vulnerabilities and the steps SMEs can take to strengthen cyber resilience without significant cost or complexity.

• 13:00 | Networking Lunch

• 14:00 | Breakout Sessions

  • Stream A: The AI Builder — Assessing data readiness and identifying high-value AI use cases for your manufacturing operations

  • Stream B: Digital Factory Clinic — Translating digital ambition into concrete challenges and actionable research opportunities

  • Stream C: The Digital Strategist — Navigating funding (Enterprise Ireland, FXC 2.0) and building the talent needed to drive digital transformation

• 15:30 | Close