AI is driving the fourth industrial revolution — and Philly companies are helping lead the way
AI is no longer a buzzword — it's one of the technologies powering a new industrial revolution, experts agreed at a recent conference in Philadelphia.
Industry 4.0, the sweeping digitization of how goods are designed, used and maintained, is being driven by new technology, changes in workforce demographics, reindustrialization, regulation enforcement and a push towards sustainability, said Nick Lopez, principal at Deloitte, said at Phorum 2025.
From life sciences to advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies are reshaping entire industries, panelists said at the event last week.
'AI, [Internet of Things], 3D geospatial data, the list goes on and these technologies are accelerating very quickly,' Lopez said. 'There's huge potential to improve efficiency and productivity across industries, which will have a positive impact on all of our lives.'
More than just efficiency, Industry 4.0 is about reimagining what's possible when technology augments human expertise, whether that's catching errors before they happen, building smarter cities or accelerating life-saving medical breakthroughs
This fourth wave of industrial progress builds on previous revolutions — mechanization, electrification and computerization — by adding a new digital layer. AI now joins forces with technologies like the Internet of Things and digital twins, virtual models of real-world systems that can be used to simulate and improve operations in real time.
More AI pharma coming soon
Right now, AI is good at generating content and analyzing data, but a 'neuroscience approach' to AI is what's coming, said Denise Holt, cofounder of the SpatialWeb Foundation.
'AI that can actually mimic biological intelligence and model predictions for the future,' she said. 'To be able to have an understanding of the world and operate with knowledge of a digital representation of visible things.'
One version of this is active inference AI, which takes in sensory data, collects feedback and updates its understanding of its surroundings, she said. Another example is spatial web protocol, which would be a digital representation of physical things.
Similar work is happening in the life sciences industry with knowledge graphs, which collect information about what happens in manufacturing and can then be used to make predictions. While pharma companies face tight regulations, momentum is building, said Vishal Prasad, CTO at GSK.
'People are adopting it,' he said. 'With an LLM engine and basically a knowledge graph behind it that is really allowing them to make very good decisions in a very short period of time with very little effort.'
AI infrastructure analysis to plan construction
Companies are investing in tools that don't just process data, but adapt and learn from it.
Philadelphia-based companies are among those pushing the frontier.
Patrick Cozzi, chief platform officer at Bentley Systems and founder of Cesium, described how Cesium worked with Epic Games to create 3D tiles for real-time digital modeling. The tech started in gaming, but now powers everything from urban planning to national defense.
Cozzi explained how drones, GPS sensors and dash cams are being deployed to detect infrastructure issues like broken towers and cracked roadways.
AI is even helping plan developments more intelligently — estimating parking needs, for instance, before a single shovel hits dirt.
The next hurdle: data security
Still, security and data ownership are looming concerns for developers, especially in regulated industries like healthcare.
'The protocol of the spatial web, it has security baked in,' Holt said. 'Whereas right now, we're trying to use all these emerging technologies in the most unsecured environment, the World Wide Web.'
In this context, the security permissions would have set expirations, she added.
Plus, there is so much data out there and so much more data that will be coming in, companies have to think about how they're keeping up with it and its security, Lopez said.
'We're seeing more of this in terms of being able to analyze what's on your servers, what's in your cloud, understanding what's important,' Lopez said. 'Where it needs to be stored, in terms of security policies.
Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2024 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Technical.ly
12 hours ago
- Technical.ly
How local governments can back the entrepreneurs building their regions' futures
Entrepreneurship is increasingly viewed as the most dependable source of broad-based economic gains. Nearly all net new jobs come from new companies and a 1% rise in entrepreneurial activity correlates with a 2% decline in poverty. Post-pandemic growth — led by women, particularly women of color — shows investments in 'inclusive entrepreneurship' worked, but systemic barriers to capital, networks and opportunity still limit would-be founders. A policy 'field guide' recommends redirecting 5% of procurement to firms under five years old, eliminating early registration fees, reforming noncompetes, strengthening libraries as entrepreneurial hubs, designating a clear entrepreneurship leader and elevating existing ecosystem efforts rather than duplicating them. Entrepreneurship can sound like rich people's problems. In certain settings, talking about business starts and business growth all sounds like the cavorting of the well to do. A growing coalition says that's all wrong. 'Entrepreneurship is not just about starting companies,' said Victor Hwang. 'It's about enabling people to solve problems in their communities with innovation and drive.' Hwang refined his bookish charm and pro-entrepreneurship pitch while an executive at the Kansas City-based Kauffman Foundation, which is widely credited for advancing the research and the field of new-business support. This work now gets called ecosystem building, or place-based, entrepreneur-led economic development. Hwang's policy-focused Right to Start nonprofit has just kicked off a national campaign called America the Entrepreneurial, to put entrepreneurs at the center of next year's 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Hwang is also among my co-hosts of Builders Live, a monthly podcast on ecosystem building. Ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, in our most recent episode, alongside investor Brian Brackeen, we checked in on the most surefire policies Right to Start recommends for state and local officials. Entrepreneurship is not a distraction from well-rounded and inclusive economic policy. It's increasingly recognized as the most dependable source of gains, including the following: Nearly all net new jobs come from new companies Every 1% increase in entrepreneurial activity in a county correlates with a 2% decline in poverty — and average household income increased by $500 41% of Americans say they'd launch a business if they could, but just 2% actually do One key input of economic mobility is access to information about the programs and resources (a role we at Technically play) Investments into what has been called 'inclusive entrepreneurship' in the 2000s and 2010s worked. Entrepreneurship has popped post-pandemic, led by women, especially women of color, but barriers remain. 'The reason I founded Right to Start was to change the narrative and the policies that limit entrepreneurship in this country,' Hwang said. A checklist for policymakers to support entrepreneurship Though more is to come, his Right to Start launched ' field guides ' for policymakers, at the local, state and federal levels. A few of their most common recommendations, mixed with a couple from own reporting: 5% to start: 'Dedicate a small percentage of current funding to new entrepreneurs and young businesses, and track the impact…Redirect 5% of government procurement dollars to businesses under 5 years old.' Identify an entrepreneurship leader: This could be an existing lead (like a commerce director), provided they truly prioritize entrepreneurship. Zero barriers to launch: ' Reduce or eliminate registration costs and fees for new businesses in their critical early years,' relying financially on more established firms. Separate new business from small, medium and large businesses: They need different things, and it is the 'new' that create the most positive economic outcomes. Easy access: 'Strengthen local libraries as hubs of knowledge and digital tools for entrepreneurs.' Noncompete reform: 'Unleash entrepreneurs who want to create new jobs by freeing them from unfair bans and noncompete restrictions.' Support existing efforts: Most states and regions have existing 'ecosystem building' efforts. Rather than recreate them, elevate and redirect residents there. This mirrors advice we've given mayors in the past. To support entrepreneurship: Remove barriers, invest in workforce, celebrate homegrown solutions and amplify the priority. (We've made more general tech policy recommendations too) Entrepreneurs start alone, but don't grow without help Many of these steps are intentionally modest. Hwang, though, has a far more ambitious plan: for entrepreneurship to be at the very center of all economic policy. Brackeen, managing partner of Lightship Capital, echoed that idea. 'The barriers that exist for entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented communities, are systemic, and we need systemic change,' Brackeen said. 'It's not about handouts. It's about access — access to capital, access to networks and access to opportunity.' The best economic policy doesn't pick industries, it supports entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs don't pick places to start businesses, they pick places to live and then start businesses there. The ' Ecosystem Stack ' prioritizes both lifestyle issues (like housing) and amplifying these successes. This works. According to new analysis, regions with a dedicated news outlet covering startups earn 60% more media coverage and, over a decade, grow their ecosystems twice as fast as similar peers. The takeaway? Entrepreneurs may start alone, but their companies don't grow that way. Policy, platforms and narrative all shape what happens next. 'If we want more startups,' Hwang said, 'we need to fix the system so it doesn't favor big businesses at the expense of new ones.'
Listly
a day ago
- Listly
Top 10 Ways to Use EveryAI to Be Your Own Boss in 2025
Top 10 Ways to Use EveryAI to Be Your Own Boss in 2025 If you're serious about making the leap to be your own boss, you need more than motivation—you need practical tools that actually make it possible. That's where EveryAI comes in. This all-in-one AI platform gives solopreneurs and digital creators everything they need to build, automate, and grow a business—without juggling dozens of apps, learning complex software, or paying monthly fees that drain your momentum. Here are 10 powerful, real-world ways you can use EveryAI right now to kickstart or scale your independent business in 2025. Write SEO-Optimized Blog Posts in Minutes To be your own boss, you need content that attracts traffic and builds trust. EveryAI lets you generate high-quality blog posts, SEO headlines, keyword-rich outlines, and compelling introductions in just a few clicks. Whether you're running a niche site, building your personal brand, or promoting affiliate offers, this tool saves hours while helping you rank faster on Google. Imagine waking up, inputting your topic, and publishing a 1,000-word post within 20 minutes—without ever facing writer's block. Create Stunning Social Media Content Automatically Social media is a lifeline for online business growth. With EveryAI, you can create carousels, captions, hashtags, and image posts for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn without design skills or endless brainstorming. To be your own boss, consistency is key—and EveryAI helps you batch a week's worth of social content in under an hour. No more stressing about what to post. Your feed stays active and aligned with your brand voice. Build Sales Funnels Without Tech Headaches Funnels are how modern businesses make money. EveryAI offers easy drag-and-drop funnel builders that include opt-in forms, upsell pages, thank-you pages, and even built-in copywriting. You no longer need to hire a designer or tech expert. Just pick a template, plug in your content, and you've got a working funnel ready to go live. If you want to be your own boss with digital products or affiliate offers, this is a game-changer. Produce Short-Form Video Content With AI EveryAI turns your blog post, script, or promotional message into an engaging video—complete with voiceovers, music, and captions. Whether you're targeting YouTube Shorts, Reels, or TikTok, you can now create on-brand content without being on camera. To be your own boss in the content economy, video visibility is crucial—and this tool gives you a way to compete without a studio setup or editing skills. Automate Customer Support With AI Chatbots Your time is precious. EveryAI helps you create automated chatbots that can answer FAQs, qualify leads, deliver resources, and even walk users through your offer—all without your direct involvement. This is perfect if you sell courses, products, or services. Your AI assistant handles the front-line interactions, so you can focus on scaling. If you want to be your own boss, automation is non-negotiable. Generate Powerful Sales Copy for Pages, Emails & Ads Copywriting is often the most expensive and difficult part of launching a business. EveryAI helps you generate persuasive headlines, sales pages, bullet points, and email sequences tailored to your audience. No more staring at a blank screen. Now, your message connects, converts, and builds momentum. Whether you sell eBooks, coaching, or software—strong copy helps you be your own boss with confidence. Design Professional Graphics Without a Designer Need a logo? Promo banner? eBook cover? EveryAI's image creation tools generate unique, high-resolution visuals that rival professional designs. You simply enter your description or keywords, and the AI does the rest. To be your own boss, your branding needs to look polished—and now you can achieve that without spending a dime on stock photos or outsourcing. Launch a Niche eCommerce Store Without Inventory Have a product idea? Want to start dropshipping or sell print-on-demand merch? EveryAI lets you build an eCommerce store, write product descriptions, design visuals, and launch—all from one dashboard. Even better: you don't need inventory or coding skills. Whether it's digital goods, physical items, or affiliate bundles—this is the fastest way to be your own boss with an online store. Translate Your Content to Reach a Global Audience If your goal is to grow beyond borders, EveryAI makes it easy to translate your content into any major language. Now your blog, emails, and offers can reach international audiences—without needing a translator. To be your own boss globally, you must speak the language of your market. EveryAI gives you that power instantly. Brainstorm and Plan Like a CEO—Not Just a Creator Use EveryAI's strategy prompts to map out your niche, generate offer ideas, plan launches, and stay organized. It's not just a content tool—it's a thinking partner. You can whiteboard your next digital product, prep a webinar, or structure a lead magnet funnel using guided AI support. This is how you be your own boss with strategy, not just hustle. ✅ Ready to Be Your Own Boss in 2025? Whether you're starting from zero or growing something big, EveryAI gives you the tools to move faster, work smarter, and build a business that reflects your goals. 👉 Click here to explore EveryAI and start building your dream business today. Because the future doesn't belong to the busiest—it belongs to those who automate, optimize, and show up consistently. And with EveryAI, that can be you.
Technical.ly
3 days ago
- Technical.ly
Commerce Department nixes ‘safety' in NIST AI institute rebrand
President Trump's cabinet continues to overhaul federal programs and initiatives, with some recent AI-related moves hitting the Department of Commerce. Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the AI Safety Institute will now be called the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI). In addition to removing 'safety' from the title of the agency, which was created under the Biden administration in 2023 to set AI standards and guidance, CAISI will pivot to focus more on national security risks and global competitiveness. 'For far too long, censorship and regulations have been used under the guise of national security. Innovators will no longer be limited by these standards,' Lutnick said in a press release. 'CAISI will evaluate and enhance U.S. innovation of these rapidly developing commercial AI systems while ensuring they remain secure to our national security standards.' The Commerce Department did not respond to request for comment, including to provide examples of 'censorship.' CAISI also houses a consortium, established in 2024, of more than 200 companies and organizations that was originally created to develop science-based safety standards for AI operation and design. The group, known as the US AI Safety Institute Consortium, includes several universities and startups from throughout the Mid-Atlantic. That group remains in operation following this announcement, but there are suspicions that it will shut down, according to a person with knowledge about the consortium. CAISI and the consortium's formation under the previous administration was spurred by an executive order by former President Joe Biden, which the Trump administration revoked during his early days in office. Priorities for this newly-renamed government body include plans to ink voluntary agreements with AI developers and companies that can pinpoint risks to national security. That strategy isn't entirely new. Under the Biden administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology — the regulatory agency, housed under the Commerce Department, that hosts CAISI — signed memoranda of understanding to undergo AI safety research with US-based AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. In these new evaluations, CAISI will prioritize looking at use cases in cybersecurity and chemical weapons, per the release. CAISI leadership will also collaborate with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and intelligence agencies to 'conduct evaluations and assessments.' This move comes as states are grappling with how to regulate AI. Nearby Virginia did not follow through with passing blanket legislation regulating the technology, and House Republicans are torn over a federal budget provision that would ban states from regulating AI for a decade.
