For the industry, it is not just another hype. Artificial intelligence (AI) essentially revolutionizes and upgrades manufacturing sectors. Manufacturers are curious and experimenting with new technologies, including AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things by adding them to their production facilities and optimizing production operations. Yet several common challenges and benefits are relevant to those who prepare AI specialists and upgrade their companies’ goals.
What are the latest applications of AI and machine learning as well as industry insights, the international team of educational and entrepreneurial organizations from Lithuania, Italy, Spain and Germany discussed during the webinar “AI: How Can I Help You? Challenges in Adopting AI in Industry 4.0” in late October.
Learning to adapt
Experts agree AI is here to stay. It designs new approaches and ways for companies to fabricate, improve and distribute their products. During the webinar key speakers and guests helped us to answer the question of how to enhance the AI applications by involving business, academia and industry.
“As the international consortium, we presented a book called “Unlocking Industry 4.0: A Cookbook for Tackling Challenges with Strategic Approaches. The Experience of the “Planet 4” Partnership”. It is basically how current education providers could and should adapt towards nowadays needs from business and industry”, said the coordinator of the international “Erasmus +” project “Planet 4”, Daniele Mazzei, Assistant Professor at the Computer Science Department of the University of Pisa in Italy.
Considering risks
Cybersecurity is one of the common issues each company and individual should consider in the context of the AI boom. Risks are quite high and constantly rising, thus experts encourage strengthening security systems. Kazimieras Bagdonas, the Assistant Professor at Kaunas University of Technology, emphasised the most common aspects of what should be taken into consideration.
“First of all, companies should be aware of the protection of Intellectual property rights. For instance, even AI enables attackers to steal IP and R&D faster using social engineering, and voice manipulations. It is advised to not connect as many as possible devices and equipment to the IoT networks. Also, companies use AI as a very useful evolutionary improvement for the manufacturing approaches and optimizations in processes and supply chains”, explains Mr Bagdonas.
Exploring collaboration
Gintaras Vilda, director at Manufacturing Innovation Valley in Lithuania discussed the practical aspects of Research, Development, and Innovation in the manufacturing industry within the context of Industry 4.0. He highlighted the importance of emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and cloud computing in reshaping manufacturing processes.
“EU manufacturers face lots of challenges in their daily operations, including material shortages. AI and digitalization help address these challenges and ensure a stable supply chain in the manufacturing industry. As we find the emerging concept and transfer towards Industry 5.0, this upgrade emphasises human-centricity focus and sustainability, where AI offers its potential to come up with limitless ideas”, explained Mr Vilda.
The collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, research centers and industry leaders is essential for keeping up with the latest sectoral shifts in adapting to these challenges and changes. “Planet 4” unites various organizations to fill the gap between scientific research on AI and Machine Learning and its industrial application as enabling technology for the Industry 4.0 paradigm.