25 www.drivesncontrols.com April 2025 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE n Competing with AI? A question that we are often asked is how can employees compete against AI and secure their futures. While this is a valid concern, it’s important to remember that technology should be seen as a tool people can use to improve their performance and to speed up monotonous tasks, rather than as a direct threat. If an employee is in a position to harness the power that AI promises, their value within the business can improve dramatically. If they are able to use AI to boost their output, speed up processes, and improve outcomes for customers, they can become invaluable assets to their employers. Rather than seeing articial intelligence as a threat to their position, if they use the tools it provides wisely, AI can help them to reduce the amount of time that they spend on mundane and time-consuming tasks. Here’s are some steps to consider taking: n Focus on problem-solving and critical thinking AI is great at handling repetitive tasks and suggesting xes, but human interaction is required when it comes to troubleshooting and decision-making. n Data analytics While AI can present data to manufacturers, it is not good at making judgements on what to do with this data. It is benecial for manufacturing workers to enhance their skills in interpreting and applying data to improve processes and e ciency. n Leadership and adaptability skills It is essential for employees to position themselves as leaders in their organisations. AI and automation require human oversight and strategic planning to thrive. Taking the time to improve these skills will set employees on the path to success. The benefits of AI It’s pretty easy to see why manufacturers around the world are investing in AI to enhance their businesses. The technology brings with it a whole host of benets, both for a manufacturer and for its employees. These include: n Quality assurance This can be a timeconsuming task for humans, so it’s no surprise that manufacturing rms are turning to AI to automate this aspect of their activities. Not only does AI make this step much quicker, but it also improves accuracy and signicantly reduces the risk of poor quality products reaching customers. n Predictive maintenance AI plays an integral role in identifying where problems are likely to arise before the equipment starts to break down, allowing manufacturers to perform essential maintenance before it fails completely, thus reducing disruptions to production. This is extremely important for reducing downtime and keeping operations running smoothly. n Cost reductions Automation of tasks means lower labour costs for manufacturers, which can lead to pay rises for employees and reduced costs for customers. Along with this, predictive maintenance reduces breakdowns and downtime, which is essential to keeping costs down. n Improved energy e ciency and sustainability AI helps to optimise energy consumption across supply chains by spotting ine ciencies and allowing companies to act on this information. Sustainability is extremely important in today’s manufacturing environment, and AI technologies can play a key role in optimising an organisation’s e ciency. n Supply chain management Managing and optimising supply chains has never been easier, with AI helping manufacturers to manage their inventory and to predict demand. AI works best when paired with digital twins, so you can visualise each stage of the supply chain, giving a clear picture of any potential issues before they arise. n Data analysis One of the biggest timesavers for employers and employees alike is using AI to analyse large datasets rapidly to provide them with a comprehensive overview of the data, allowing them to make informed decisions. While employees can be forgiven for worrying about AI taking their jobs, the reality is that most manufacturing workers need to be more concerned about how they align with AI technology to improve their output and save time. By using AI technology to automate and speed up mundane, but necessary, tasks, manufacturers can focus more on training and upskilling, helping to close the sector’s skills gap – even though this may take some time. The best manufacturers are those who adapt to what AI has to oer and use this to benet them and their employees, enabling them to gain competitive advantage and to shrink the manufacturing skills gap. n
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=