The Rise of AI and Its Reshaping of the Manufacturing Industry
Artificial Intelligence has become a reoccurring topic of conversation at the dinner table lately, and for good reason. AI has been helping various workforces, from marketing to finance; however, with recent innovations, AI will completely reshape industrial and manufacturing facilities.
Here are three ways that Artificial Intelligence will revolutionize manufacturing:
Predictive Maintenance: According to Forbes, there are 3,000 incidents of utility poles catching fire each year in the United States because of defects, which are usually detected by the human eye. However, it takes some time to know whether the situation requires action, thus leaving room for error. AI would use photo analysis to detect problems, such as damage or leaks, accurately and efficiently to predict potential failures before they happen. This can extend across industries like oil and gas.
Supply Chain Optimization: MITs Center for Transportation and Logistics says that AI can help with supply chain issues, such as missed and late deliveries that happen due to inaccurate inventory availability. Algorithms would analyze inventory data with minimal errors. It would optimize inventory levels and identify potential disruptions in a cost-efficient, customer-service-based way, ultimately leading to a more resilient supply chain.
Robot Learning and Automation: Californias startup, Orangewood Labs, has produced an AI-generated robot to work on industrial and manufacturing tasks. The system has proved to be adaptive and self-learning, harboring language tools that make it very easy to program. If installed in manufacturing facilities, production and reliance on manual labor could be reduced.
That said, the prosperity of Artificial Intelligence causes many to feel immense concern: People fear AIs rapid learning and adaptation, leading to uncontrollable power.
In the manufacturing industry, many problems could arise, including job displacement and algorithm biases. Because AI can learn and mimic human emotion, these newfound "feelings" could impact decision-making, causing errors like product quality control. More importantly, AI can lead to significant safety concerns. Because its so advanced, we may not understand how an AI-generated machine malfunctioned, which could cause irreparable damage to a facility or a life-threatening situation for an employee.
AI can be a powerful tool in manufacturing; however, we must know how to address its challenges to minimize the risks.
