AI Is Reshaping Industrial Software. Who Wins? : Michael Finocchiaro - Founder, ThreadMoat

AI Is Reshaping Industrial Software. Who Wins? | Michael Finocchiaro Will AI simply make established industrial software better, or will it fundamentally change which companies dominate the market? In this episode of AI in Manufacturing, I sit down with Michael Finocchiaro, founder of ThreadMoat Intelligence, to explore how AI is reshaping the competitive landscape of industrial technology, where AI-native startups are challenging established vendors, and what the industrial software market could look like over the next five years. We go beyond the competitive landscape to examine how the underlying technology architecture is evolving, from increasingly composable software and AI-driven orchestration to the changing roles of traditional systems like MES and PLM. In this episode, we explore: Why AI-native startups are challenging established industrial software vendors and where incumbents still have an advantage. How AI is changing traditional industrial software categories, including MES, PLM, and manufacturing data platforms. Why composable architectures and AI agents could fundamentally change how industrial systems are integrated and orchestrated. How manufacturers should think about data ownership, interoperability, and vendor lock-in when evaluating emerging technologies. What the industrial software landscape could look like in five years, including the evolving roles of AI agents, knowledge graphs, and human decision-making. Michael brings a broad perspective from tracking industrial technology startups, interviewing founders, and analyzing emerging trends across engineering and manufacturing software. Whether you're building industrial software, investing in emerging technologies, or shaping your organization's manufacturing technology strategy, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the shifts already underway and what they could mean for the industry. Learn more: Industry40.tv: https://www.industry40.tv