Artificial intelligence took centre stage at FABTECH Canada 2026, as speakers across keynote and panel sessions focused on its growing role in shaping manufacturing operations, while also acknowledging the challenges of applying it on the shop floor.

Held June 9–11 in Toronto, the event brought together fabricators, welders and manufacturing professionals to explore new technologies, connect with more than 300 exhibitors and attend expert-led panel discussions.

Among those discussions, a Day 1 panel on AI-driven automation in custom metal forming and fabrication offered a snapshot of how manufacturers are approaching the technology today. Helen Papachronis, director of project development at NGen, said the industry has spent years building the foundation through sensors, data collection and connectivity.

“About 10, 15 years ago, we really started talking about big data and internet of things and digitization of operations and processes and equipment,” she said. “And AI is just the next step. Now it’s, what do we do with all that digital information?”

The panel also explained how that data is now being used. Papachronis said AI allows manufacturers to move from reacting to problems after they occur to responding as they develop.

“AI is that layer above the digitization, the data collection to start to really automate and see real time operations,” she said. “It’s going to take things from a reactive operation to a proactive operation.”

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