By Annika Olme, CTO & Senior Vice-President, Technology Development, SKF

Industrial transformation is often described through technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) models, digital twins, automation platforms, and advanced materials. Yet technology alone does not change organisations—people do. The culture surrounding technology determines whether it becomes an enabler or a burden. True digital maturity isn’t about how many tools you deploy; it’s about how teams think, collaborate, and solve problems with technology as a natural part of their work. As industries modernise, this cultural shift will decide who leads the next phase of global manufacturing.

Industrial companies are moving from using technology to thinking technologically. This mindset shift transforms everything—from how teams analyse data and design systems to how leaders evaluate risk and opportunity. But cultures don’t change by rolling out platforms. For advanced technologies to take root, culture must be intentionally shaped, just like any technical upgrade.

Too often, companies invest heavily in digital tools only to find employees overwhelmed or disconnected from the purpose behind the change. It is important to enable a psychologically safe culture where people can experiment, question, and learn without fear of failure. This is why we actively foster an environment where intelligent risk-taking is encouraged. For example, in our technology development teams, we run “failure-forward” sessions—structured reviews where teams share lessons from........

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