chieving true value from AI requires navigating a complex matrix of data hygiene, corporate culture and workflow integration. For example, while the retail sector rapidly deploys AI to optimise inventory and elevate customer experiences in the aisles, manufacturing relies on structured, deep-learning machine vision to drive precision on the factory floor.

Despite these differing environments, a cross-pollination of strategies is occurring, uniting both sectors in a shared goal to build a more connected, real-time workforce.

Here, Zebra Technologies leaders Jason Harvey( Vice President, Automation and AI EMEA), Stuart Hubbard( Global Senior Director, AI and Advanced Development) and Mark Thomson( Retail Strategy Director EMEA) explore how ambient intelligence is elevating human capability, capturing ROI and reshaping the future of operations.

154 July 2026