International Automation Professionals Day, recognized each year on 28 April, is always a meaningful moment for the International Society of Automation (ISA)’s amazing community. However, this year felt especially energizing. As I welcomed attendees to our webinar that morning, I was reminded why this day matters so much: as we like to say at ISA, automation depends on people. Behind every control system, every manufacturing improvement, every safety layer and every digital innovation are professionals applying expertise, creativity and judgment to improve our world.
Our conversation focused on a timely and important theme: what it means to be a future-ready automation professional. I had the privilege of moderating a panel featuring the following ISA members, in addition to ISA CEO Claire Fallon:
- Riddhi Padariya, The Boring Company
- Chad Paxson, Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority
- Olawale Akande, DEM Controls
- SZ Lin, ISA Taiwan Section
Each panelist brought a distinct perspective from their own experience, and together they painted a clear picture of a profession that is evolving quickly as new opportunities arise.
The changing role of the automation professional
One of the first ideas that stood out was how much the role of the automation professional is changing. Riddhi spoke about the shift beyond traditional programmable logic controller (PLC) programming into a broader technical landscape that includes modern human-machine interface (HMI) platforms, robotics integration and languages such as Python and C++. As automation systems become more sophisticated, the skill set required to build, maintain and improve them is becoming more interdisciplinary. Professionals are increasingly expected to understand controls, hardware and software, robotics and user experience and connect them all in practical ways.
Chad reinforced that point by highlighting the growing impact of AI, machine learning, smart sensors and more connected industrial systems. Rather than reducing the need for automation professionals, these technologies are creating new demands. The future will rely on professionals who can work across more connected, data-driven environments and help organizations move from reactive operations to proactive, intelligent systems.
At the same time, our panel made clear that technical expertise alone is not enough. Olawale offered a powerful reminder that automation professionals must also be strong collaborators, communicators and problem-solvers. They need adaptability, leadership and ethical judgment.
They must understand customer needs, take ownership and deliver solutions that succeed not only technically, but operationally and commercially. That message resonated strongly with me. Like many people in this profession, I initially came to ISA focused on building technical knowledge. What I gained, in addition to that, were many of the broader professional skills that shape effective leaders.
Working across functions
Another major theme was the importance of learning how to work across functions. SZ emphasized that automation professionals can no longer operate only within a technical silo. Today’s systems connect operations, business goals, cybersecurity and IT environments more closely than ever. That means professionals must understand how their decisions affect uptime, risk, cost and performance. Collaboration is essential.
This became even more evident as we discussed AI. Across the panel, there was strong agreement that AI should be viewed as a tool, not a substitute for human judgment. It can accelerate analysis, support design and improve visibility, but accountability must remain with people. In practical terms, that means professionals need to know when AI adds value, how to validate its outputs and how to use it responsibly in real operational settings. Human expertise remains central, especially in environments where safety, reliability and performance are on the line.
We also explored which capabilities may be hardest to develop on the job. Troubleshooting, system-level thinking, cybersecurity awareness and judgment under ambiguity all came up as especially important. These are the skills that often take time, experience and mentorship to build. Riddhi added another valuable point: listening to operators and understanding the experience of those who actually use automation systems every day is a skill that can easily be overlooked, but it is critical to designing effective solutions.
One practical takeaway I especially appreciated came from Chad, who suggested a simple habit for staying adaptable: dedicating just 15 minutes each week to micro-learning. In a field where technology moves quickly, that kind of steady, manageable curiosity can go a long way. It is a great reminder that future readiness is built through consistent learning and openness to change.
We also reflected on how to support the next generation of automation professionals. SZ noted that beyond theory, emerging professionals need exposure to real-world situations where decisions must be made with incomplete information. That is how judgment is formed. It is also why mentoring, hands-on experience and community are so important.
The future of automation: Shaped by people
International Automation Professionals Day is ultimately a celebration of our wonderfully strong community of automation professionals at ISA and beyond. It is a chance to recognize the expertise, leadership and curiosity that automation professionals bring to their work every day. I left this webinar feeling inspired by the depth of insight shared by our panelists and looking forward to the future of our great profession. If I had to pick just one message that came through clearly, it would be this: the future of automation will be shaped by people who are ready to grow with it.
To learn more about International Automation Professionals Day, visit this page. To view a recording of the webinar, visit this page.
