The Language Behind Industrial AI: Why Context Matters More Than Data

Everyone is talking about industrial AI—but few are talking about the foundation it depends on. In this episode of The Wrench Factor, host Nick Haase, Co-Founder of MaintainX, sits down with Ryan Kelly, Vice President of Technology at AMT, to explore why interoperability, shared data standards, and machine context are becoming critical building blocks for the next generation of manufacturing. As AI adoption accelerates, manufacturers are discovering that collecting data isn't enough. Systems need to understand what that data means before AI can generate reliable insights. Nick and Ryan discuss: Why AI in manufacturing is creating renewed interest in interoperability and standards like MTConnect What it means for machines and software to "speak the same language" Why context—not just data—is the key to trustworthy AI How manufacturers can build a stronger foundation before scaling AI across the enterprise Why interoperability is becoming a business priority, not just an engineering problem The conversation also looks ahead to IMTS 2026 (September 14-19 in Chicago), where AI is set to be one of the biggest themes on the show floor—and why manufacturers with a solid data foundation will be best positioned to take advantage of it. Whether you're leading maintenance, operations, or digital transformation, this episode offers a practical look at one of the most overlooked foundations of industrial AI.