THE TECHNOLOGY INTERVIEW
While much of the current conversation focuses on gen AI, the rise of physical AI – the application of AI to physical environments – is poised to reshape industries ranging from manufacturing to public safety.
Physical AI involves systems that process real-time sensor and vision data to make decisions in the physical world. A common, relatable example is the autonomous vehicle, which continuously interprets its surroundings to navigate safely.
“ Physical AI is becoming much more real and applicable in many industry segments,” Vijay says.
“ We believe in a maybe three to five-year period, it will be as big as what we call consumer AI and gen AI.”
In a manufacturing context, physical AI enables real-time quality inspections on the factory floor. In mining and the oil and gas industry, it powers robotics for infrastructure inspection, helping to identify corrosion or structural issues before they become critical failures.
Public safety is another major area of application. By integrating AI into existing camera networks, cities can transition from reactive monitoring to proactive safety management.
28 October 2026