The physical AI opportunity: scaling beyond the screen with Robert Klaffus, CEO, PSI Software

The physical AI opportunity: scaling beyond the screen with Robert Klaffus, CEO, PSI Software

Speaker: Robert Klaffus, CEO, PSI Software

Event Partners: Heidrick & Struggles

Most scaling playbooks were written for pure tech. They don't survive contact with turbines, grids and factory floors. Yet that's exactly where some of the biggest tech opportunities now sit, in energy, industrial operations and critical infrastructure, where AI is moving from dashboards into decisions with physical consequences.

Few people have navigated that shift as directly as Robert Klaffus, CEO of PSI Software, who will join us to share his experience leading the transformation of one of Europe's leading industrial software companies. Since becoming CEO in November 2023, Robert has led a major strategic repositioning of PSI, focused on accelerating the company's transition towards Software-as-a-Service, cloud-native platforms and Industrial AI, while simplifying operations and strengthening its position in the global energy and industrial software market.

The discussion will explore how Robert has approached transforming an established technology business into a modern, high-performance software company serving some of the world's most complex and mission-critical industries. He will reflect on leading organisational change at scale, building the foundations for long-term growth in industrial AI, and navigating the strategic decisions required to compete in sectors shaped by electrification, decarbonisation, automation and digitalisation.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from a CEO leading the transformation of a European industrial technology leader, as he shares practical insights on scaling software and AI platforms in the physical world and building enduring competitive advantage in critical infrastructure markets.

Key themes include:

• Industrial AI and the physical world: Applying AI to energy systems, industrial operations and critical infrastructure.
• Leading transformation at scale: Repositioning an established software company for the next generation of growth.
• Capital and strategic partnerships: Leveraging investment and operational expertise to accelerate growth.
• Building competitive moats: Why complexity, regulation and operational expertise create defensible market positions.
• Leadership through change: Managing organisational transformation in technology businesses serving mission-critical industries.

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