InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation are increasingly shaping the future of the global palm oil industry, according to industry leaders attending Palmex Indonesia 2026.
Speaking during a press conference attended by InfoSAWIT on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), Fireworks Trade Media Group CEO Kenny Yong said the palm oil sector is evolving rapidly as companies adopt digital technologies and mechanization to improve operational efficiency.
“Years ago plantations were monitored using helicopters, but now drones are widely used. We are also seeing robotic systems and AI technologies enabling real-time remote plantation monitoring,” he said.
According to Kenny, plantation operators can now monitor crop productivity, plantation conditions, and fruit quality using sensors and digital systems without being physically present in the field.
He noted that Palmex has evolved from a traditional trade exhibition into a major platform for technological exchange and innovation across the global palm oil industry.
Mechanization is also expanding into plantation operations through automated tractors and remotely operated machinery, reflecting the industry’s shift from Industry 4.0 concepts toward Industry 5.0, which emphasizes collaboration between humans and machines.
“Today it is no longer just about automation, but about how humans and technology can work together to create greater efficiency,” Kenny explained.
More than 60% of exhibitors at Palmex Indonesia 2026 are showcasing AI-based and digital technologies, including sensor systems for fruit quality detection, sustainability monitoring, and traceability solutions.
Kenny stressed that AI is not intended to replace workers entirely but rather to improve human productivity and create new forms of employment.
He also highlighted the growing importance of digital systems in supporting sustainability commitments and supply chain transparency across the global palm oil sector.
“The palm oil industry is moving toward more sustainable practices, and technology is becoming a vital part of that transition,” he concluded. (T2)
