The Operational Excellence (OPEX) Reference Group – North America Chapter, powered by PRIME BPM, hosted its July 2025 Live Meetup, exploring the timely theme:
How Generative AI is Shaping the Next Era of Process Excellence.
The virtual session featured Dr. Amine Ayad, Adjunct Professor at Colorado Technical University and former Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation at Walmart, who delivered a thought-provoking session on the evolving role of generative AI in driving meaningful, scalable, and human-centric operational improvements.
Drawing on his 30+ years of experience in engineering, retail, and academia, Dr. Ayad walked attendees through how AI is transforming from a basic automation tool to a cognitive collaborator—amplifying human thinking, accelerating decision-making, and reshaping how organisations approach process mapping and workforce optimisation.
“Generative AI is not just a tool—it’s a partner in problem-solving. The more you understand its capabilities and limitations, the greater your impact will be,” said Dr. Ayad during the session.
Key Discussion Highlights
- Evolving from automation to cognitive process enhancement
- How AI can support real-time workforce planning and dynamic process optimisation
- Addressing ethical considerations and AI “hallucinations” with human oversight
- Using generative AI to reduce planning cycles and improve SOP quality
- Starting small: Tips for experimenting with AI safely and effectively
The interactive session sparked engaging discussions among 25+ OPEX professionals across industries, covering use cases, challenges, and opportunities of AI-led transformation.
Upcoming Meetup
The OPEX North America Chapter will host its next meetup on August 28, 2025, featuring Ana Cavagnoli, Director of Customer Engagement at HID Global (ASSA ABLOY Group), presenting on:
“Purpose, People, Performance: Leading Transformational Change That Sticks.”
About the Operational Excellence Reference Group
Powered by PRIME BPM, the OPEX Reference Group is a cross-industry community that connects transformation professionals to collaborate, share insights, and accelerate operational success. Designed for professionals involved in process improvement, digital transformation, system implementation, compliance, risk management, and continuous improvement, the group offers a platform to stay ahead of trends, gain practical knowledge, and engage with industry leaders through exclusive meetups and sessions.