Rockwell Automation, a global provider of industrial automation and digital transformation solutions, has introduced FactoryTalk® Conductor™, an AI-native orchestration platform designed to coordinate AI-powered tasks across the industrial automation lifecycle. The software will make its public debut at Automation Fair® 2026 in Boston, ahead of its planned commercial availability in the first quarter of 2027.
As manufacturers move from AI experimentation towards wider implementation, the ability to connect intelligent technologies with existing software, operational data and engineering processes is becoming increasingly important. Rockwell Automation’s 2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report indicates that one-third of manufacturing operations are already augmented by AI, with adoption expected to accelerate.
FactoryTalk Conductor is designed to bring AI agents, specialised capabilities and workflows together in a unified environment. Users can initiate engineering tasks through natural-language instructions, allowing the platform to identify and coordinate the software tools, AI functions and processes required to complete the work.
At launch, the platform will integrate with Studio 5000 Logix Designer®, Logix Echo™, Emulate3D® and FactoryTalk® Optix™, supporting workflows across system design, development, simulation and testing. Further integrations are planned across Rockwell Automation’s software portfolio, including FactoryTalk® Design Studio™, FactoryTalk® Historian, Plex® and Fiix®, extending AI-enabled workflows across industrial operations.
“ The next phase of industrial AI will be defined by orchestration rather than individual copilots,” said Craig Resnick, Vice President at ARC Advisory Group. He noted that manufacturers need AI technologies capable of coordinating tasks across software systems, engineering tools and operational data, reflecting the industry’s progression towards agentic automation.
Matheus Bulho, Senior Vice President, Software & Control at Rockwell Automation, said the platform combines AI orchestration with established industrial expertise. Customers will be able to use Rockwell Automation-verified agents and skills, develop capabilities tailored to their business requirements and connect AI across software, data and services.
The platform is designed to support enterprise AI governance by allowing organisations to use AI services hosted through FactoryTalk Hub or connect their preferred large or small language models. This includes locally hosted open-weight models, which can help reduce ongoing token-consumption costs. Rockwell Automation-developed integrations are intended to provide greater consistency and reliability when applying AI in industrial environments.
By coordinating activities across engineering applications, FactoryTalk Conductor aims to reduce software complexity, accelerate development and testing, and help manufacturers apply industrial AI while maintaining operational standards. Attendees at Automation Fair 2026 will be able to experience demonstrations of FactoryTalk Conductor through several show-floor experiences, including the Technology & Services Showcase, Industry Pavilion and Innovations, as well as dedicated technical sessions.
Rockwell Automation, Inc (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, helping manufacturers unlock new levels of productivity and sustainability. By combining human ingenuity with advanced technology, the company enables customers to reimagine what is possible across industrial operations. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 professionals and supports customers in more than 100 countries as of the end of fiscal year 2025
