"The car is becoming a smartphone on wheels, an extension of your living room," says Chris-Markus Kratz, AWS Global Director of Automotive and Manufacturing
Thu Feb 05 2026
Chris‑Markus “CMK” Kratz, AWS Global Director of Automotive and Manufacturing, explains how outcome‑first, customer‑obsessed transformation and ecosystem partnerships are reshaping the industry. He details the shift to software‑defined vehicles and the car as a proactive companion, how GenAI is collapsing mainframe refactoring from years to months, and what it takes to move beyond pilots to production. Kratz shares lessons from Amazon’s own “shop floor” in its fulfillment centers, why the cloud is ready for OT, and why critical thinking and change management matter as much as technology. He also covers autonomy at scale, the equalizing effect of AI for SMBs and OEMs alike, and the “better together” role of SIs like Adastra.
How do OEMs and suppliers work backwards from outcomes to deploy GenAI in real production?
What makes the factory floor ready for cloud and AI, and how do you ensure resilience?
How does mainframe modernization unlock microservices and accelerate transformation?
Which ecosystem partnerships and governance practices deliver value without slowing execution?
Is AI the great equalizer across company sizes, and how should leaders manage the cultural shift?
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Chris‑Markus “CMK” Kratz, AWS Global Director of Automotive and Manufacturing, explains how outcome‑first, customer‑obsessed transformation and ecosystem partnerships are reshaping the industry. He details the shift to software‑defined vehicles and the car as a proactive companion, how GenAI is collapsing mainframe refactoring from years to months, and what it takes to move beyond pilots to production. Kratz shares lessons from Amazon’s own “shop floor” in its fulfillment centers, why the cloud is ready for OT, and why critical thinking and change management matter as much as technology. He also covers autonomy at scale, the equalizing effect of AI for SMBs and OEMs alike, and the “better together” role of SIs like Adastra. How do OEMs and suppliers work backwards from outcomes to deploy GenAI in real production? What makes the factory floor ready for cloud and AI, and how do you ensure resilience? How does mainframe modernization unlock microservices and accelerate transformation? Which ecosystem partnerships and governance practices deliver value without slowing execution? Is AI the great equalizer across company sizes, and how should leaders manage the cultural shift?