By Chris Prenkert (LinkedIn), Governor at Large, NTEA Generation Next
This article was originally published in the June 2023 issue of Generation Next Edition.
The last few years have been quite a roller coaster ride. So many buzzwords and topics have emerged that it’s hard to keep them all straight: social distancing, metaverse, and now the latest – artificial intelligence (AI). The market is certainly changing for employers and employees alike. Below are some unbiased observations I have made over the last several months regarding AI.
Why do companies look to integrate AI into their operations?
There are many reasons for which companies might look to integrate AI into their operations. These can vary depending on the industry, market, geography, and company vision. For example, of the companies I’ve seen adopt AI, many are trying to better utilize their employees - not simply replace them. This is validated by a 2017 survey conducted by Deloitte that states 36% of participants indicated one benefit of task automation is that it effectively frees up workers to be creative. In contrast, only 22% of respondents indicated headcount reduction as a benefit of AI.
In short, knowledge gained by years on the job can be taught to a newer generation in a more deliberate fashion if tasks are automated when appropriate.
How can manufacturing benefit from AI?
Numerous industries use AI, but we’ll focus on manufacturing for the purpose of this article. Many companies look for ways to use their assets more productively. The term “lights out manufacturing” is not a new concept, but the integration of AI into manufacturing is making it more possible than ever before to have a connected work environment with minimal customization. Rather than requiring one system, which can be costly and less efficient, AI allows manufacturers to mix robotics of different brands and specialties, and get them networking together in order to prolong production hours and use assets.
The next example is digital twins. This is a newer concept to me, and I have seen it used in several ways. With the use of drones and AI, a replica plant can be completely mapped and optimized without physically moving a single piece of equipment. This allows for better productivity, better planning, and less downtime for reorganization or line changes.
The use of smart sensors relays information to a digital twin in order to analyze performance. The days of needing hard-to-find technicians to come onsite for diagnosis can be augmented with technology to help control expenses and downtime.
How can companies adapt to the change?
For some companies, AI integration is a big step. For others, AI has been part of their journey. Several pieces of criteria need to be considered if AI integration is the path your company chooses. This is a new and emerging technology and trend. Whether you adopt depends on your company’s needs. Understanding and communicating the core reason for making this change, and having a plan, are all critical aspects of implementation. Any change will face inevitable pushback and obstacles, but it will be that much more difficult if done for the wrong reasons or if not communicated to the front line.
I hope to have sparked reflection into this changing technology. Will AI be a fit for your company?
Interested in learning more about this topic? Here is a list of selected articles.
10 AI use cases in manufacturing
Artificial intelligence: Real world success stories
Artificial intelligence for the real world
Implementing AI into manufacturing
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