Michigan Business Beat | Tom Kelly, Automation Alley - Integr8 Playbook #4: AI and Machine Learning

Michigan Business Network

Originally Uploaded April 23rd, Re-edited July 19th Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. The discussion covers the April set of Integr8 for 2024 with Playbook #4: AI and Machine Learning. Q. Thanks for coming back on our show to talk about Automation Alley’s series of Integr8 playbooks. Your latest one is focused on how manufacturers can benefit from AI and Machine Learning – and we will get into that – but remind us again what this series of playbooks is? The 2024 Integr8 Roundtable Series is an invite-only roundtable sessions where leaders from industry, academia and government meet. Each roundtable is focused on a different topic or challenge related to the Industry 4.0 and the transition to digital manufacturing And then we publish a playbook from each roundtable that provides advice for manufacturers to help them overcome challenges It all builds momentum towards the Integr8 Roundtable Summit, to be held Oct. 3 in Detroit Q. So, you just released the findings from your fourth roundtable, which is titled “The Rise of AI: Shaping Industries Through Intelligent Innovation.” And AI has been in the news constantly for more than a year now. What did you learn from this roundtable discussion? We are entering a new era of AI technology in our everyday lives; from the media we consume to the products we use. But there are also challenges — fears of job displacement, academic plagiarism, deep fakes, cyber threats and a new degree of misinformation. There really are all sorts of new, big issues that we are still – as a society – just in the early stages of working through For business, the big question is – how do we deploy AI to address areas of need? Can AI be the answer to helping small businesses navigate new market realities? Can AI transform the manufacturing process from the shop floor to the top floor? At Automation Alley, we think it can. We think AI and Machine Learning have the power to level the playing field and allow U.S. manufacturers to compete globally and bring jobs back to America. Q. You mentioned Machine Learning. What is the difference between AI and Machine Learning? Q. I’ve heard you say manufacturing is more exciting now than it has been for at least 30 years – but that it is also the most daunting because it is hard for small companies to figure out where to start when it comes to AI. Can you elaborate on that? How should small manufacturers get started with this stuff? For successful AI adoption, companies should clearly define the specific goals and objectives they aim to achieve with AI implementation, whether it's improving production efficiency, enhancing product quality, or reducing maintenance costs. Understanding your objectives will guide your AI strategy and ensure alignment with overall business objectives. Companies should begin AI implementation with pilot projects focused on specific use cases or areas of improvement. Start small to validate AI technologies, assess their impact, and refine strategies before scaling across the organization. Q. I imagine one of the barriers to adopting AI and Machine Learning is that companies – and their staff – are intimidated by the new technology. Is there a talent and training challenge that comes with this? Yes! There is a need for programmers, data scientists, engineers, and other highly skilled workers who can create and maintain complex AI programs. Shortages abound in this field and require industry leaders to connect with academia to create training programs and internships that fill specific needs. Companies need to develop internal training programs to reskill and upskill current workforces. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/