6G Controls - Leading Supplier of New & Original PLC 、DCS Parts and Automation Controller
ISA Saudi Automation Conference 2025: A Regional Benchmark for Innovation
The ISA Saudi Automation Conference 2025 (ISASAC) concluded successfully in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, from May 4 to 6. Held at the Kempinski Al Othman Hotel, it emerged as a vital forum for driving forward industrial automation and digital transformation. As an automation engineer, I found this year’s edition especially impactful, with its balance of strategic vision and real-world engineering challenges.
“Autonomous: Vision to Reality” – From Strategy to Deployment
Guided by the theme “Autonomous: Vision to Reality,” the conference tackled the practical implementation of autonomous technologies across key industries. The opening keynote by Mr. Thamer Al Qarawi on behalf of Aramco’s leadership, and insights from Ms. Sam Armani of mimik, set a clear tone: autonomy is no longer futuristic—it’s operational. I appreciated how the talks moved beyond buzzwords and focused on deployment strategies.
Engineering Focus: AI, Data, and Cybersecurity in Practice
ISASAC 2025 offered deep technical sessions on data analytics, industrial cybersecurity, and AI-driven process optimization. These aren’t abstract topics in our field—they’re urgent challenges. As someone managing real-time systems, I found value in discussions on data visibility, adaptive AI models, and how to bridge the IT-OT divide safely and efficiently.
Innovation on Display: Real Technologies, Real Solutions
The technology exhibition was dynamic, with companies showcasing automation hardware, digital twins, and smart control platforms. What stood out was the strong focus on edge intelligence and cloud-integrated architectures. I found Hitachi Energy’s and mimik’s platforms particularly aligned with modern plant needs—scalable, modular, and cyber-resilient.
Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage
The session “Strengthening Oil and Gas Cybersecurity Through Unified Visibility and Control” resonated deeply. It directly addressed the fragmented nature of current OT cybersecurity stacks. Real-time control, asset visibility, and protocol governance are often siloed—this session offered actionable strategies to unify them. As a practitioner, this was one of the most technically grounded parts of the conference.
Future Engineers in Focus: Student and Youth Initiatives
One of the highlights was the dedicated track for students and young professionals. Activities like the Student Games weren’t just fun—they were foundational. This initiative reflects the critical need to build engineering talent pipelines. As someone who mentors junior engineers, I believe early exposure to real-world automation is essential—and ISASAC delivered on that.
Sponsors Enable More Than Just Funding
Major sponsors such as Aramco, Sirar by stc, and Fortinet didn’t just fund the event—they actively shaped the dialogue. I was particularly impressed by the way sponsor-led sessions contributed deep technical insight rather than commercial messaging. This type of engagement ensures that events like ISASAC remain rooted in real value for industry professionals.
Networking Highlights: Where Ideas Cross-Pollinate
The gala dinner, co-hosted with Infoblox, was a standout networking opportunity. In our industry, informal conversations often spark the most actionable ideas. I had several insightful exchanges with fellow engineers and technology vendors, reinforcing the role of community in driving innovation across sectors.
Final Reflection: From Talk to Implementation
ISASAC 2025 wasn’t just another conference—it was a transformation platform. With its focus on cross-industry learning, emerging talent, and technical rigor, it set a new standard for what automation conferences should aim to achieve. As someone working on automation strategy and execution, I left the event with renewed direction.
Why ISASAC Will Continue to Matter
As industries accelerate toward autonomy, the need for platforms like ISASAC only grows. It supports not just knowledge sharing, but multi-disciplinary collaboration, which is critical in today’s interconnected automation landscape. I’ll be tracking how these ideas translate into practice over the coming year—and look forward to ISASAC 2026.
