Manufacturing in 2030: Let’s Talk About AI

Artificial intelligence has been heralded as a game-changer for every facet of manufacturing from the production floor to the back office. Some of the possible benefits include better efficiency, improved quality, less downtime, and the potential to develop new products with faster time to market. But what do manufacturers need to consider to get the most out of AI, and what are some of the ramifications – good, bad, and otherwise – that can come from deploying it?

Manufacturing in 2030: Let’s Talk About AI is a two-day event that will explore all facets of AI as it will apply to manufacturers in the years to come. From giving rise to autonomous factories to meeting ambitious sustainability goals, event sessions will focus on the AI use cases of today and the aspirational ideas of tomorrow. It will also examine implications for the workforce, legacy systems, and even ethical considerations that will be a part of this transformational path.

This event is the next progression in the Manufacturing Leadership Council’s Manufacturing in 2030 Project that will not just enable manufacturers to imagine a better future, but to bring it to reality.

Manufacturing in 2030 is not designed for those who are comfortable with the status quo. Join us in Nashville for an event like no other.

Please note that our agenda is set to Central Time (CST).

Sessions noted with an asterisk are included in the virtual experience.

Wednesday, December 7

6:30 p.m. Welcome Networking Reception

Network, engage and enjoy cocktails and conversations with fellow event participants.

Thursday, December 8

7:30 a.m.   Registration and Breakfast

8:30 a.m.   Welcome and Introductions*

8:45 a.m.   Opening Address: Why AI Will Shape Manufacturing’s Future*

• David R. Brousell, Co-Founder, Manufacturing Leadership Council

Opinions about AI range from the apocalyptic to the miraculous. But just about everyone can agree that AI will be a major force in many aspects of manufacturing. As a result, AI will be one of the most important strategic considerations for manufacturing companies, the industry, and the nation in the years ahead.

9:00 a.m.   What Will AI Be Capable of by 2030?*

• Dr. Thomas Kurfess, Executive Director, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Research Institute; Professor and HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control, Georgia Institute of Technology; and Member, MLC Board of Governors

AI technology is rapidly evolving and will be applied in many operational functions and systems. This session will address AI’s likely functional trajectory in the next 10 years, what jobs and tasks it will be doing, and what the implications are for how manufacturers will run their plants and factories in the future.

9:30 a.m.   Fireside Chat: Perspectives on AI’s Future*

• Dr. Jim Davis, Vice Provost, Information Technology, and Chief Academic Technology Officer, UCLA; Member, MLC Board of Governors
• Dr. Julie Shah, H.N. Slater Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT; Member, MLC Board of Governors

In conversation with: David R. Brousell, Co-Founder, Manufacturing Leadership Council

AI’s likely trajectory in the coming years will provide manufacturers with many opportunities but also a host of implementation and operational challenges. This session will explore what manufacturers need to do now and in the future to optimize their investments in AI.

10:00 a.m.   Panel Discussion: What Do Current AI Use Cases Tell Us About Tomorrow?*

Panelists:

• Rose Coluccio, Engineering Director, Corning Environmental Technologies Division, Corning Incorporated
• Doug Laney, Innovation Fellow, Data and Analytics, West Monroe
• Shamlan Siddiqi, Vice President, Consulting and Digital Transformation Services, NTT DATA

Moderator: Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council

MLC research shows that roughly two-thirds of manufacturers are either using AI currently or will be deploying it in the near future. This panel will examine some of the current ways that manufacturers are using AI in the quest to improve efficiency, boost production, and eliminate waste. The panel will also discuss how those current successful use cases will inform the next phase of AI deployment.

10:45 a.m.   Networking and Refreshment Break

11:00 a.m.   Will AI Enable Autonomous Plants and Factories?*

• Dr. Hiroaki Kanokogi, President and CEO, Yokogawa Digital Corporation

In a recent successful pilot, Yokogawa autonomously controlled a chemical plant for 35 consecutive days, including dealing with complex conditions necessary to ensure product quality and other variables. This case study will explain how this success confirmed that reinforcement learning AI, integrated with distributed control systems, can be safely applied in an actual plant.

11:30 a.m.   How Can AI Be Used to Advance Future Sustainability Goals?*

• Dr. Rebecca Teeters, Senior Vice President, Chemical Operations, 3M

This session will provide an expert’s view on how AI and Machine Learning technologies will help manufacturing companies optimize their use of resources and materials in the years ahead; monitor and measure environmental impacts and reduction projects, both internally and across their supply chains to hit net zero targets; develop smarter and more sustainable products; and manage the challenges and opportunities of new circular economy ecosystems.

12:00 p.m.   Networking Luncheon: Conversations on the Future of AI

1:15 p.m.   Panel Discussion: What Are AI’s Implications for the Manufacturing Workforce of the Future?*

Panelists:

• Gardner Carrick, Vice President, Workforce Solutions, The Manufacturing Institute
• Jacey Heuer, Lead, Data Science and Advanced Analytics, Pella Corporation
• Asi Klein, Managing Director, Industrial Products and Organization Transformation, Deloitte Consulting

Moderator: Paul Tate, Co-Founding Executive Editor and Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council

This session will explore the evolving collaborative relationship between humans and ever-more intelligent machines, looking at how AI may change how manufacturing work will be done by 2030; what skills will be needed by tomorrow’s workforce; how advanced systems can help address the labor shortage; and how these new technologies present a unique opportunity for manufacturers to enhance future workplace environments by empowering both front line engagement and individual innovation.

2:00 p.m.   Fireside Chat: What Impact Will AI Have on Legacy Control Systems and Enterprise Applications?*

• Chirag Rathi, Senior Director, Industry and Solution Strategy, Infor
• Bijan Sayyar-Rodsari, Director of Advanced Analytics, Rockwell Automation

In conversation with: Jeff Puma, Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council

Artificial intelligence will increasingly power both plant floor control systems as well as enterprise application such as ERP, SCM, PLM, quality systems and more. This session will address the implications of using AI in these systems, including what functions of these systems AI will manage and how it will change how manufacturing workers interact with these systems.

2:30 p.m.   What Are the Ethical Considerations for AI in Manufacturing?*

• Eric Yu, Principal, Data Ethics Practice, SAS Institute Inc.

As standards evolve for the responsible development and deployment of AI, there is much debate on what manufacturers will have to address as they accelerate the technology’s use. This session will examine ethical considerations for AI and what manufacturers need to know to ensure safety, transparency, and accountability.

3:00 p.m.   Networking and Refreshment Break

3:30 p.m.   Panel Discussion: Should AI and U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Policy Align?*

Panelists:

• Robyn Boerstling, Vice President, Infrastructure, Innovation and Human Resources Policy, NAM
• Dr. Jim Davis, Vice Provost, Information Technology, and Chief Academic Technology Officer, UCLA; Member, MLC Board of Governors 
• Dr. Lynne Parker, Associate Vice Chancellor; Director, AI Tennessee Initiative; University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Moderator: David R. Brousell, Co-Founder, Manufacturing Leadership Council

A global competition is underway to achieve economic leadership through the development and application of AI. This session will explore how the cooperative efforts on AI by academia, industry, and organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Science and Technology will play out in the years ahead.

4:15 p.m.   Interactive Session: Future AI Directions

Moderators:

• Dan Dwight, President and CEO, Cooley Group; Board of Governors, Vice Chair, Manufacturing Leadership Council 
• Mike Packer, Board of Governors, Chairman, Manufacturing Leadership Council

What are the thoughts, insights, and recommendations for how to create a better future for manufacturing by 2030? This session will be conducted in town hall-style to enable event attendees to share their views about the future of AI.

5:00 p.m.   Manufacturing in 2030 Networking and Cocktail Reception

7:00 p.m.   The MLC’s Manufacturing in 2030 Event Concludes

Friday, December 9

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   MLC Board of Governors Meeting

Select from the Full In-Person Experience or the Virtual Experience

Manufacturing Leadership Council members receive one complimentary pass to attend one experience option either in person or virtual. A limited number of additional passes per company will be available for purchase for the Full In-Person Experience, while the Virtual Experience Passes have no limit on purchases.

Full In-Person Experience – $295

Gain access to all of the thought leadership, content and exclusive group of future focused, operational executives in-person.

In-Person Benefits:

• Network with other thought leaders in the industry.
• Access to attend all of the content presented in our value-packed agenda.
• Ask questions live and in-person with the opportunity to continue the conversation during our networking breaks.
• Participate in one of our future zones during the networking lunch.
• Participate in the interactive discussion on thoughts, insights, and recommendations for how to create a better future for manufacturing by 2030.
• And so much more!

Virtual Experience – $95

Not able to attend in person? We are bringing you limited access to the future-focused, thought-provoking content live from Nashville. Specific sessions offered virtually are denoted on the agenda.

Our Insightful and Visionary Speakers

Our high-caliber speaker lineup will bring you the insight and inspiration you need for moving your business forward. Check back as more speakers are added to this list.

For information on becoming and/or nominating a speaker, please contact [email protected].

Conrad Nashville

Bringing modern luxury to Music City, the Conrad Nashville is less than five minutes from Music Row with Bridgestone Arena, Music City Center, Nissan Stadium, and First Horizon Park less than three miles of the door. Enjoy multiple restaurants on-site, spacious rooms, a rooftop pool terrace with great views of downtown and brand new meeting space and amenities.

Booking Information

Discounted room rates:

• Standard Room: $349
• Deluxe Room: $399

Book by: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 (in order to secure this rate and availability)

To make your reservations online, please click here and continue to book your room.

To make your reservations by phone, call 1 (615) 327-8000 and reference the Group Code “C-NAM” or the Manufacturing Leadership Council.

Travel

• Suggested Airport: Nashville International Airport (BNA)
• Suggested Arrival: Afternoon of Wednesday, December 7
• Suggested Departure: Morning of Friday, December 9

Partnership presence at the Manufacturing in 2030 event is just one piece of the overall series that extends through 2022.

The MLC’s Manufacturing in 2030 partners will be on the ground floor of this prestigious project and will help to influence and shape the industry for years to come.

If you are interested in becoming one of our exclusive Manufacturing in 2030 Partners, please reach out to Lauren Bisset at [email protected] and she will provide you with additional information.

As the United States moves in the direction of more normal business operations and vaccine availability becomes widespread, the NAM is embracing a cautious approach to reinitiating in-person meetings. Current CDC and local health guidelines will be followed and enforced, and the NAM reserves the right to update health measures and attendance policies based on evolving health threats and guidance from Federal health agencies and local authorities. While we intend for the event to go forward as planned, the event may be impacted by future guidance from Federal and local authorities and protocols will be adjusted as warranted.

Vaccination Recommended

Full vaccination is recommended to attend the meeting, although proof of vaccination will not be required. All NAM staff onsite are fully vaccinated.

Before Leaving Home

• Follow relevant guidance provided by the CDC (Center for Diseases Control).
• Adhere to government issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the region you will be traveling to and the region you are traveling from.
• Stay at home if you feel sick and or if anyone in your household is sick.

 On-site During the Event 

• Adhere to guidance from local health authorities as implemented and shared by facility hosts.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
• Adhere to social distance protocols. At a minimum, maintain at least six (6) feet apart. Respect the personal space of others.
• Respect the personal space of others. If you experience any flu-like symptoms, please DO NOT attend sessions. Please let the program host know.

 Post-event 

• Agree to notify the program host if you test positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days after returning home for contact tracing purposes.