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From factory floor to boardroom: Why physical AI matters now for private companies
Tuesday, 17 February 2026 2:00 p.m. ET

Virtual - Dbriefs

CPE credits | Event language: English

17 Feb. 2026

Tuesday, 02:00 p.m. ET | 1 Hr.

From factory floor to boardroom: Why physical AI matters now for private companies

Learn more about

Private Companies

Participants will discover frameworks for helping guide board-level decisions in the era of physical AI.

Host: Wolfe Tone, vice chair, US Deloitte Private leader, Deloitte Tax LLP

Presenter: Tim Gaus, SmartManufacturing Business leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP


1 Overview CPE credit | Information Technology

Key Takeaways

As artificial intelligence (AI) extends beyond software into physical systems, private companies should consider rethinking how innovation impacts nearly every dimension of their business—from the shop floor to the boardroom. Physical AI—melding robotics, sensors, and real-time analytics—is reshaping not only operations but also board agendas—driving conversations about strategy, investment, and risk. Understanding and adopting innovation could mean the difference between leading the market or falling behind. We’ll discuss:

  • How physical AI is changing operations
  • Risk, governance, and investment implications for private companies
  • Practical steps to launch or scale physical AI initiatives

Get in touch

Wolfe Tone

Wolfe Tone

Deloitte - United States
Wolfe serves as the US Deloitte Private Leader. In this capacity, he oversees a dedicated team within the firm that caters to the distinctive requirements of privately held businesses, family enterprises, private equity funds, portfolio companies, and emerging growth companies. For each of these subsegments, Deloitte Private professionals address the unique needs of private companies and their stakeholders leveraging the depth and breadth of the network’s business expertise coupled with industry insights to serve mid-and large-sized private businesses around the globe. In addition to his leadership role, Wolfe actively engages as a client service partner, leading multi-disciplined engagement teams that provide a variety of services including tax compliance and consulting, financial and risk advisory services, corporate restructuring support, M&A diligence, IPO planning, cyber risk solutions, technology transformations, and attest services. His expertise extends to authoring numerous articles on tax and business issues affecting private companies, and he has been interviewed by prominent media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Economist, Investment News, and Politico, to discuss broader business matters impacting privately held enterprises. Wolfe resides in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two wonderful children, along with their lively pair of Labradors. Outside of work, he also enjoys fishing, traveling the world, and cheering for his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.
Tim Gaus

Tim Gaus

Deloitte - United States
Tim Gaus is a principal and the smart manufacturing business leader with Deloitte Consulting LLP. He brings over 25 years of supply chain experience with a focus on value chain optimization using emerging technology. He has led multiple supply chain transformations, spanning supply chain strategy, manufacturing optimization, supply chain planning, inventory optimization, operating model design, and operational excellence for domestic and multinational corporations.