Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a science fictional dystopian nightmare come to life, a technological leap with manifold benefits to humankind, maybe something in between? In this week’s Industry Today feature, Arvind Rao emphasizes the positive applications of AI to enhance manufacturing productivity and efficiency.
“Increasing labor costs, a scarcity of skilled workforce, and intense global competition are some challenges industrial organizations face today,” Rao, the Chief Technology Officer of Edge Platforms, EdgeVerve, writes. “Thanks to AI, automation, and advanced analytics, industrial organizations and manufacturers can respond to these challenges quickly, thus improving operational efficiency, energizing production processes, and reducing costs.”
At the same time, Rao points to the unique challenges facing industry to implement AI, which include:
- Costly operational downtime to integrate AI into production processes.
- Finding personnel with the skills required to implement AI-based solutions.
- Sorting meaningful insights from the quantity of data generated by AI-automation.
- Integrating AI into existing infrastructure that often includes legacy systems.
These issues notwithstanding, Rao is optimistic that the benefits of AI far outweigh the challenges. “AI-driven automation can positively impact two primary elements of the manufacturing value chain – automation of manual processes and automation of production planning.” He notes as an example a global healthcare manufacturer that realized $40 million in real-world savings in less than two years by implementing AI.
He also points to a 2023 Gartner CIO and Technology Executive Survey that found 32% of respondents said their organizations had already deployed AI and machine learning, with an additional 17% indicating they would follow suit within the next 12 months.
AI is here to stay. As Rao notes, “AI and automation can help improve productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing industry. It can also free workers to focus on more complex tasks, helping to drive innovation and growth. However, it’s important to note that successful implementation of AI requires careful planning and management to ensure that it’s used effectively and ethically.”
Read the complete article, Optimize AI-Driven Automation in the Industrial Sector.
Is your organization implementing AI? What is your experience? Please see our editorial guidelines to share your insights with our readership of industry leaders.
Read more about me or visit my Signitt.
Tags: artificial intelligence, AI, productivity, Susan Poeton, #SusanPoeton, #SuePoeton, Sue Poeton, Industry Today
Susan Poeton 