Aron Semle on MCP, Agents and the Data Foundation You Can’t Skip
HighByte’s CTO Aron Semle returns to talk about what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in Industrial DataOps, and why MCP, agents and vibe-coded factory apps are here to stay.
The IT/OT Insider Archive
Every episode, every conversation, all searchable
The full podcast and video archive of The IT/OT Insider — talks, interviews, and explainers on all things IT+OT!
Interview with David at the AVEVA PI DI Roadshow in Frankfurt
David Ariens is interviewed at the AVEVA PI DI Roadshow in Frankfurt.
100 and Counting: Looking Back, Looking Forward
A special David & Willem episode — no guest, just us, a living room, and three years of IT/OT stories.
Two Problems Standing Between You and Industrial AI at Scale
A deeper look at what's really holding back the Virtual Operator — and why there is no silver bullet (yet).
The Forgotten Foundation: PID control and Process Automation with Prof. Margret Bauer
We talk a lot about data platforms, AI, and digital twins on this blog. But all of that sits on top of a process automation layer that most people take for granted — and that layer is quietly eroding.
OT Data Governance with Wybren van der Meer
A deeper dive into our conversation with Wybren van der Meer on the unglamorous work that makes scaling possible
The Unified Namespace Explained (2026 edition - 30 min crash course)
In this video, David Ariens explores the concept of Unified Namespace (UNS) and its significance in addressing the challenges of data management in industrial settings. He discusses the common issues of data spaghetti, the importance of understanding business problems over technology solutions, and the role of data management in creating digital representations. The conversation also touches on the Industrial Data Platform, the misconceptions surrounding UNS, and the necessity of IT-OT cooperation and data governance.
Data as the Common Thread: Process Safety, Metrics, and Career Lessons with Kris Doering
Kris shares his journey across refineries, postal services, and gas transportation—revealing how data connects it all and why making metrics visible at the front line matters more than most realize.
Build your Industrial Data Platform (2026 edition - 20 min free crash course)
In this video, David Ariens discusses the evolution and importance of the industrial data platform, focusing on the second version of the capability map. He explains the significance of scaling data initiatives, the structure of an industrial data platform, and the core capabilities required to build such a platform. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of data governance, the role of the unified namespace, and how these elements contribute to effective industrial AI applications.
Overcoming IT and OT Silos: Proven Approaches for Success with David Ariens
David Ariens discusses why IT/OT convergence remains a challenge beyond the technical, drawing on his industry experience to explain the roles of trust and collaboration, organizational models, and data openness across manufacturing, infrastructure, and process sectors. Recorded for Industry Sage Media, sponsored by PLCnext Technology.
When Physics Meets AI: A Conversation with Dan Jeavons
We are talking Data, AI and IT-OT Convergence with Dan Jeavons, president of Applied Computing and formerly the VP of Computational Science and Digital Innovation at Shell.
Overcoming the Impossible: DataOps at Poclain Hydraulics with Rija Rakotoarisoa
We are diving into the real-world struggles when integrating IT and OT from the perspective of another super interesting end-user!
From 4 to 140: What Building Northvolt’s Digital Core Taught Anton Melander About Scaling and Starting Over
From building Northvolt’s digital backbone from scratch to helping smaller manufacturers unlock the value of their data, Anton Melander’s journey is a masterclass in scaling fast and learning hard!
ASKx 2025 David & Willem IT OT insider
David Ariens and Willem van Lammeren speak at ASKx 2025 about IT/OT convergence.
ASKx 2025 Panel Discussion
Panel discussion recorded at ASKx 2025 on IT/OT convergence.
Industrial Data and AI through the eyes of an End-User – A Conversation with Nathalie Rigouts
From spreadsheets to AI co-workers: Nathalie Rigouts on what it really takes to turn data into value in industry.
MQTT vs OPC UA with Kudzai Manditereza
Let’s go a bit more technical in this one 😁. With our new Capability Map just being published, we wanted to get some more insights in the connectivity part... so let's talk OPC UA and MQTT!
The $50K use case matters – Zev Arnold on Scaling, Context and AI
We talk about Platforms that Empower, About People-AI and AI-AI interaction, Context and much more with Accenture's Zev Arnold.
Building an Operational Data Platform for Industrial Digitalization: The 7 Core Capabilities
David Ariens joins Kudzai Manditereza to discuss the Industrial Data Platform Capability Map, covering the seven core capabilities of an industrial data platform, contextualization, the role of the Unified Namespace, and common pitfalls in integrating IT and OT systems. David also introduces the IT/OT Academy, a six-session course on IT/OT integration.
OT Cybersecurity 101 with Danielle Jablanski
We're diving into OT Cyber Security for the first time (but definitely not the last!) with Danielle Jablanski and talk about The Good, the Bad, and the Pointless Deliverables.
Tech to the Back – A Conversation with Raf Swinnen on Lean, Culture, and Digital Discipline
Digital solutions should not be front and center. People and processes should be. This episode is all about Lean, Culture and Operational know-how!