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Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a tremendous impact on how the manufacturing sector conducts business. Recent research and investment has made AI technology smarter and better equipped to assist manufacturing on a global scale. This article outlines the impact of artificial intelligence on the global manufacturing industry and offers some conclusions about its benefits.
Areas where AI can have a positive effect are cost containment and reduction through increased automation.
Manufacturers are exploring ways to use artificial intelligence to their advantage when it comes to implementing automation to replace small, repetitive tasks that humans normally handle. For instance, a robot programmed to package 10 gauge steel wire could complete more orders in an hour than an employee could achieve in a day. This means manufacturing companies are saving money by streamlining their processes.
Research from the Boston Consulting Group makes a compelling argument for manufacturers considering how best to automate. It shows that by 2020 the cost of labor and the risk associated with human operators had exceeded the cost of purchasing and operating robots, especially when considering "hard" costs such as wages and benefits compared with the "soft" costs of risk and flexibility.
The use of AI and sensor technologies to prevent and predict equipment failure is a positive step for the industry. A convergence of different types of data allows manufacturers to understand how automated systems work, how best to maintain them, and when they have been compromised so that appropriate action can be taken. In turn, this helps reduce the waste and costs associated with equipment that is unexpectedly out of service or operating inefficiently.
There are several types of artificial intelligence that manufacturers should consider when optimizing their performance. Machine learning, for example, is an AI-based technology that allows systems to learn without being explicitly programmed. This means they can make new connections between disparate pieces of information on their own and adjust as conditions change.
Machine learning and AI help optimize performance in manufacturing by enabling systems to find problems and fix them. Additionally, automation driven by AI can improve productivity by taking the necessary steps to keep a site operating with minimum human intervention. According to research, nearly half of manufacturers around the world expect robotics to be an important area of focus over the next 12 months.
Improving safety is a major benefit of AI technology. For example, collision avoidance software can help improve worker safety. In this regard, manufacturers should be looking at how they can use AI to develop new automation tools and technologies to maximize performance while protecting against potential hazards.
AI-driven behavioral analytics can help manufacturers collect information about how devices and systems are used, which can be used to prevent security breaches. For example, if a machine is operating outside its normal parameters, then it may be an indication that it is under attack by a hacker or that there is some other underlying system dysfunction. By analyzing the data 24/7 and looking for deviations from normal parameters, manufacturers can get early warnings that may help them prevent security breaches.
The benefits of AI to the manufacturing sector are enormous. Manufacturers that begin to explore the use of AI technologies now will be in a position to gain a competitive advantage, reduce costs and waste, improve performance, and increase safety. In other words, the keys to success are adapting quickly and taking advantage of what artificial intelligence has to offer.
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