Danone launches global Industry 5.0 Academy to scale AI adoption

FRANCE – Danone, a dairy manufacturer, has announced the launch of its global Industry 5.0 Academy, a bold initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, automation, and smart technologies across its operations.

This new training program is designed to upskill 20,000 operations employees worldwide by 2026 in future-ready skills, including digital technology and AI.

Recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Global Digital Lighthouse, the site will serve as a hub for both in-person and virtual training. The curriculum will cover advanced automation, AI prompt engineering, and data-driven strategies, supporting a comprehensive digital transformation.

As part of Danone’s broader digital manufacturing and innovation strategy, the academy will play a crucial role in enhancing productivity, sustainability, resilience, and operational flexibility.

According to the company, the Industry 5.0 Academy provides training modules that cover areas such as AI prompt writing, data-driven decision-making, and the effective use of digital assistants by operators.

The program adopts a human-centric approach, placing advanced technology directly in the hands of employees.

This approach aims to build their confidence and capabilities while fostering collaboration between people and cutting-edge technologies, such as robotics and smart devices. By doing so, the company seeks to harness the full potential of Industry 5.0 and usher in the next generation of smart manufacturing.

In addition to the Academy, Danone plans to establish a network of ten pioneering factories that will serve as testing grounds for innovative models of the Digital Factory of the future.

These sites will focus on setting new industry standards for human-machine collaboration, enabling the company to better meet the needs of its customers, consumers, and patients around the world.

Vikram Agarwal, Danone’s Chief Operations Officer, emphasized the urgency of such initiatives in light of the current shortage of skilled workers in the global manufacturing sector.

He noted that the Academy is a strategic response to this challenge, aiming to empower employees and unlock the full potential of technologies like AI and robotics.

According to Agarwal, the Academy is a vital component of Danone’s “Renew Danone” strategy and a long-term investment in value creation for all stakeholders.

Additionally, Danone is already applying elements of this transformation in real-time. For example, predictive maintenance powered by smart sensors is being used to detect vibrations and temperature changes in machinery.

This allows for early identification of potential issues, eliminating routine checks and minimizing costly downtime. Additionally, generative AI (GenAI) agents are being deployed to analyze production line data, identify efficiencies, and reduce energy consumption — helping to lower the carbon footprint of Danone’s factories.

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE