Is AI taking manufacturing jobs, or is it actually extending careers and eliminating physical burnout?

In this episode of People Before Machines, Amanda Cupido sits down with Greg Summers, CEO of Orion Talent, to break down what the modern manufacturing worker actually looks like today—and where the industry is heading over the next five years.

With over 30 years of talent acquisition experience, Greg brings a grounded perspective to the AI hype. Together, they explore how automation is shifting work from physical labor to technical problem-solving, why the traditional resume is broken, and how leaders can foster curiosity and confidence as humans and digital coworkers learn to operate side-by-side.

For more bold questions and sharp insights, visit www.peopleb4machines.com. Remember, the future isn’t fully automated—it’s people-powered.

What happens when robots stop following rigid instructions and start understanding the world around them?

In this episode of People B4 Machines, Amanda Cupido sits down with robotics evangelist, angel investor, and content creator Lukas M. Ziegler to explore the rise of physical AI and what it means for the future of manufacturing.

Lukas explains world models, the technology helping robots reason, adapt, and interact with the physical world, and introduces the concept of the neo-integrator: a new approach to deploying robotics that relies more on AI-driven reasoning, teleoperation, and autonomy than traditional programming.

The conversation moves beyond technology to explore trust, safety, surveillance concerns, and the human impact of working alongside increasingly capable machines. Lukas shares why communication, education, and transparency will be just as important as engineering in the next wave of automation.

As an active robotics investor, he also reveals how he evaluates startups, separates innovation from hype, and identifies solutions that solve real-world problems.

The episode concludes with a look at the future of work, where robots take on more routine tasks, freeing people to focus on creativity, communication, and the things they enjoy most.

For more bold questions and sharp insights, visit www.peopleb4machines.com. Remember, the future isn’t fully automated—it’s people-powered.

In this episode of People B4 Machines, host Amanda Cupido dives into the transformative world of factory automation with guest Adam Dorr, Director of Research at RethinkX. Together, they explore the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, the rise of humanoid robots, and the challenges and opportunities these technologies bring to industries and society. Adam shares insights on the balance between automation and human adaptability, offering a glimpse into the future of work and production. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions on how we can navigate this revolutionary era while keeping people at the heart of progress.

For more bold questions and sharp insights, visit www.peopleb4machines.com. Remember, the future isn’t fully automated—it’s people-powered.