All Aboard the AI Train as Manufacturing Leaders Embrace the Future
The Manufacturing Leadership Council’s 2024 Future of Manufacturing Project event drew forward-thinking manufacturing leaders to Orlando, Fla., for a deep dive into AI-centered factories of the future. The Future of Manufacturing Project is an on-going initiative focused on key trends manufacturers must understand today to help them realize a better future.
David R. Brousell, MLC’s Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, opened the event with a sweeping overview of AI’s transformative role in the manufacturing sector and beyond. He began by highlighting the explosive growth of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which became a global phenomenon almost overnight. Brousell explained how this rapid adoption of AI has served as a critical inflection point, fueling innovation, competition and investment at unprecedented levels across industries and nations. He underscored the staggering economic potential of AI, citing projections that it could contribute nearly $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
“A worldwide competition for dominance in AI is underway — and it appears to be intensifying,” Brousell said.
Major investments and initiatives by the U.S., China and Saudi Arabia highlight the AI race. He illustrated how these efforts reflect the high stakes of AI’s development, with nations and corporations alike vying for leadership. However, he cautioned against overhyped expectations, acknowledging the historical challenges of AI adoption and the – unlikely as it may seem – potential for a third AI winter. To navigate these uncertainties, he emphasized the importance of understanding both the opportunities and the risks that AI presents.
Drawing from MLC research and recent industry studies, the opening address included key findings on how manufacturers perceive and are implementing AI. While most manufacturers recognize AI as a game-changing technology, only a small percentage rate their current AI maturity as advanced. Despite this, many companies are ramping up their investments and seeing early signs of positive returns, particularly in areas like operational efficiency and productivity. Brousell also identified significant challenges, such as data quality, skill gaps and the need for metrics to measure AI’s impact.
To guide manufacturers in their AI journeys, Brousell offered practical recommendations: think big and envision bold possibilities, stay informed on technological advancements, collaborate with industry communities, establish ROI metrics and prioritize a human-centered approach to AI adoption.
He closed by reflecting on the manufacturing sector’s historic role as a driver of societal progress, calling on leaders to define their partnership with AI responsibly. His message was clear: the AI train is leaving the station, and manufacturers must be ready to board.
Access full text and a video of David R. Brousell’s opening address.