Toward the Theoretical Foundations of Industry 6.0: A Framework for AI-Driven Decentralized Manufacturing Control

Andrés Fernández-Miguel, Susana Ortíz-Marcos, Mariano Jiménez-Calzado, Alfonso P. Fernández del Hoyo, Fernando E. García-Muiña and Davide Settembre-Blundo ()
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Andrés Fernández-Miguel: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (ICADE), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Susana Ortíz-Marcos: School of Engineering (ICAI), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Mariano Jiménez-Calzado: School of Engineering (ICAI), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Alfonso P. Fernández del Hoyo: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (ICADE), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Fernando E. García-Muiña: Department of Business Administration (ADO), Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Madrid, Spain
Davide Settembre-Blundo: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (ICADE), Comillas Pontifical University, 28015 Madrid, Spain

Future Internet, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-27

Abstract: This study advances toward establishing the theoretical foundations of Industry 6.0 by developing a comprehensive framework that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized control systems, and cyber–physical production environments for intelligent, sustainable, and adaptive manufacturing. The research employs a tri-modal methodology (deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning) to construct a theoretical architecture grounded in five interdependent constructs: advanced technology integration, decentralized organizational structures, mass customization and sustainability strategies, cultural transformation, and innovation enhancement. Unlike prior conceptualizations of Industry 6.0, the proposed framework explicitly emphasizes the cyclical feedback between innovation and organizational design, as well as the role of cultural transformation as a binding element across technological, organizational, and strategic domains. The resulting framework demonstrates that AI-driven decentralized control systems constitute the cornerstone of Industry 6.0, enabling autonomous real-time decision-making, predictive zero-defect manufacturing, and strategic organizational agility through distributed intelligent control architectures. This work contributes foundational theory and actionable guidance for transitioning from centralized control paradigms to AI-driven distributed intelligent manufacturing control systems, establishing a conceptual foundation for the emerging Industry 6.0 paradigm.

Keywords: Industry 6.0; theoretical foundations; AI-driven control systems; decentralized manufacturing; cyber-physical systems; intelligent automation; Industrial Internet of Things; smart manufacturing; sustainable production; mass customization; manufacturing paradigm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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