#AI in automation

[mitchelljhonson]

Explore how AI in automation is transforming business operations by streamlining workflows, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency. From intelligent process automation to predictive analytics, AI enables smarter decision-making and scalable growth. Discover how AI development services can help your business stay competitive and future-ready with powerful, data-driven solutions.

[techygrowth]

Digital transformation continues to reshape the way businesses engage with customers. Through automation, AI, and big data, businesses are creating more personalized interactions. These technologies help companies connect with customers in new, more meaningful ways. The result is stronger relationships, increased loyalty, and better customer satisfaction. This blog explores how these changes are shaping the future of customer engagement. 

[rahulg90]

Revolutionizing Manufacturing: The 30% Productivity Leap

Unlocking Efficiency: How the Industrial Metaverse Can Boost Manufacturing Productivity by 30%

The industrial metaverse is the next big thing in manufacturing, combining VR/AR with AI, IoT, and blockchain. While exciting, it also brings challenges like tech integration, cost, security, and workforce training. This article explores both sides to help manufacturers navigate the future.

Defining the Industrial Metaverse

The Evolution of Digital Twinning

Digital twins revolutionized manufacturing by creating virtual replicas. Now, the industrial metaverse takes it further. It builds on these models, integrating them into a dynamic 3D platform that reflects the entire value chain in real time.

Integrating the Physical and Virtual

The industrial metaverse merges physical and virtual worlds. Real-time data fuels smarter decisions, boosting efficiency and reducing costs. Industries like aerospace leverage this for faster development and less waste.

The Combinatory Nature of Technologies

Extended Reality (XR):  XR bridges the physical-digital gap with immersive interfaces. These go beyond visualization, enabling real-time interaction and complex assembly tasks.

Robotics and Sensors:  Advanced robots with sensors perform precise virtual and physical actions. They collect real-time data for adjustments and optimizations within the metaverse.

Artificial Intelligence (AI):  AI analyzes vast data streams within the metaverse. It provides insights, automates decisions, and optimizes operations. AI can predict machine failures, preventing downtime and revolutionizing manufacturing.

Blockchain:  Blockchain secures data sharing across the metaverse. This is crucial for complex supply chains with multiple stakeholders, ensuring data integrity and traceability.

Technological Foundations

Cutting-edge technologies like AI, XR, and blockchain form the backbone of the industrial metaverse, driving integration, efficiency, and innovation in manufacturing.

Extended Reality (XR): Bridging the Gap between Virtual and Real

VR, AR, and MR combine to create immersive training and guide complex assembly with AR overlays.

Statistical Insight: A report from PwC predicts that VR and AR could boost the global economy by $1.5 trillion by 2030, with $294 billion of that impact in the manufacturing sector alone.

Real-World Application: Automakers like BMW use AR to cut errors by 50% and improve training during assembly.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Brain Behind Automation

AI in the industrial metaverse goes beyond automation, enabling predictive maintenance, production optimization, and real-time decision-making.

Statistical Insight: AI in Manufacturing: Up to 20% production increase and 4% less material consumption (McKinsey & Company)

Real-World Application: AI in Action: Tesla uses AI and machine learning to optimize production, improving quality and speed.

Internet of Things (IoT): The Connectivity Fabric

IoT in the industrial metaverse connects machines and sensors for real-time data flow and system-wide visibility.

Statistical Insight: The IoT in manufacturing market size is projected to reach $136.83 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 10% from 2021, as reported by Fortune Business Insights.

Real-World Application: General Electric has leveraged IoT to create its Predix platform, which monitors industrial machinery to predict failures before they happen, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Robotics: Precision and Efficiency in Physical Operations

AI-powered robots with sensors automate complex tasks in the industrial metaverse, ensuring precision and flexibility.

Statistical Insight: The industrial robotics market will likely grow by 10.4% before 2027, driven by increased adoption in manufacturing sectors.

Real-World Application: In the electronics sector, companies like Foxconn have deployed thousands of robots, dramatically increasing production rates and consistency by automating repetitive tasks previously performed by humans.

Blockchain: Securing the Industrial Metaverse

Blockchain secures data in the industrial metaverse for reliable transactions and multi-party exchanges.

Statistical Insight: Blockchain's application in manufacturing, particularly in supply chain management, is expected to generate a market value of $30 billion by 2030.

Real-World Application: Aerospace manufacturer Boeing uses blockchain to track and record thousands of parts throughout the lifecycle of its aircraft, enhancing traceability and security.

Opportunities in the Industrial Metaverse

This section dives into the exciting opportunities of the industrial metaverse, showcasing real-world examples. From boosted efficiency and cost savings to groundbreaking innovation and deeper customer connections, the potential to revolutionize manufacturing is immense.

Operational Efficiency and Productivity

The integration of metaverse technologies significantly enhances manufacturing operations, making them more efficient and less prone to error.

Statistical Insight: Digital twins + IoT boost efficiency by 35% and cut maintenance costs by 20% (Deloitte).

Real-World Application: Siemens' digital twins in electronics manufacturing lead to 25% higher productivity and 30% faster development (Siemens).

Cost Reduction and Resource Optimization

AI predictions and real-time IoT data empower manufacturers to slash waste and optimize resource use.

Statistical Insight: AI cuts costs 40% and downtime 50% through predictive maintenance (Capgemini).

Real-World Application: Chevron saves $1 billion annually with AI and IoT for equipment optimization (Chevron).

Enhanced Innovation and Product Development

The industrial metaverse accelerates innovation by facilitating rapid prototyping, testing, and development through virtual simulations.

Statistical Insight: Companies using AR and VR for product development can see a time-to-market improvement of up to 50%.

Real-World Application: Ford uses VR in design to prototype vehicles virtually, saving millions in physical modeling costs.

New Business Models and Customer Engagement

The industrial metaverse fosters new customer engagement and business models like virtual factories and digital marketplaces.

Statistical Insight: IBM studies show businesses using digital twins as a service see revenue grow 10-15% in the first year.

Real-World Application: Adidas uses a digital twin of its Speedfactory to offer virtual shoe customization, boosting customer engagement and mass customization.

Challenges Facing the Industrial Metaverse

The industrial metaverse's potential is undeniable, but challenges like technological integration and security concerns can hinder adoption. Manufacturers must navigate these hurdles to fully utilize its potential.

Technological Integration and Complexity

Integrating diverse technologies requires significant time and resources.

Statistical Insight: 75% of organizations struggle to choose the right technologies and vendors for IoT due to its complexity (Gartner survey).

Real-World Application: A major automaker faced delays in deploying digital twins due to challenges synchronizing data across VR, AI, and IoT platforms.

High Initial Costs

Expensive tech (AI, IoT, VR/AR) can be a barrier for SMEs.

Statistical Insight: Industrial IoT setup over $100,000 (IoT Analytics).

Real-World Application: Small manufacturer struggles with AR adoption due to cost (Midwest).

Skills Gap and Workforce Adaptation

Emerging tech requires upskilling the workforce.

Statistical Insight: Deloitte: 45% of executives see lack of skilled workers as a hurdle;

Real-World Application: Electronics company delays IoT rollout due to employee training difficulties

Data Security and Privacy Concerns

Increased connectivity raises cybersecurity threats, demanding robust data protection.

Statistical Insight: Cyberattacks surge 300% (IBM Security), making data protection in manufacturing crucial (average data breach cost: $5 million).

Real-World Application: Major energy company suffers data breach from compromised IoT devices.

Regulatory and Compliance Issues

Complexities arise for global manufacturing in the evolving metaverse regulatory landscape.

Statistical Insight: Compliance costs for global manufacturers can reach 10% of sales (Manufacturing Institute).

Real-World Application: Multinational pharmaceutical company faces regulatory challenges with blockchain for supply chain (data handling variations).

Strategic Directions for Stakeholders

This section offers a roadmap for manufacturers, outlining actionable steps and strategies to successfully integrate metaverse technologies and capitalize on its potential.

Developing a Comprehensive Technology Integration Plan

Given the complexity of integrating various technologies, a structured plan is essential for successful deployment.

Action Steps:

Conduct a thorough technology audit to understand existing capabilities and gaps.

Develop a phased integration plan that starts with pilot projects to gauge effectiveness before full-scale implementation.

Invest in middleware solutions that can seamlessly connect disparate systems and platforms.

Investing in Skills Development and Change Management

Continuous learning and effective change management are critical to mitigate the skills gap and prepare the workforce for new technological paradigms.

Action Steps:

Establish partnerships with educational institutions and tech companies to develop training programs tailored to the needs of the industrial metaverse.

Create internal upskilling and reskilling initiatives to enhance employee capabilities in AI, VR/AR, IoT, and data security.

Implement a change management strategy that includes communication plans, support structures, and incentives for adoption.

Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures

With increased connectivity, ensuring the security of data and systems is paramount.

Action Steps:

Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy specific to the industrial metaverse, incorporating advanced threat detection, incident response, and recovery plans.

Regularly update and patch systems and software to protect against new vulnerabilities.

Train employees on cybersecurity best practices and the importance of data security.

Engaging with Regulatory Bodies and Industry Groups

Active engagement with regulatory bodies and industry groups can help navigate compliance challenges and shape industry standards.

Action Steps:

Participate in industry consortia focused on the industrial metaverse to stay updated on best practices and regulatory developments.

Collaborate with regulatory bodies to understand and influence policies that affect the industrial metaverse.

Ensure compliance with international data protection regulations, such as GDPR, and industry-specific standards.

Exploring New Business Models and Revenue Streams

The industrial metaverse opens opportunities for new business models and revenue streams, such as virtual factories and digital twins as a service.

Action Steps:

Identify opportunities for service-based models, such as offering digital twin services to other companies.

Explore the potential for cross-industry collaborations that leverage the industrial metaverse for shared services and facilities.

Develop customer engagement platforms using VR and AR to offer unique, immersive experiences.

Looking Ahead in the Industrial Metaverse

As the industrial metaverse evolves, it reshapes the manufacturing sector with its potential and complexities. Advancements in AI and machine learning will enhance predictive analytics and decision-making capabilities, while the integration of sophisticated robotics and automation technologies poses new challenges and opportunities. Cybersecurity becomes crucial as systems interconnect, necessitating new protections against evolving threats.

The rapid pace of technological change also challenges workforce management, requiring manufacturers to ensure their workforce remains skilled and adaptable. Developing regulatory frameworks for global data exchanges within the industrial metaverse is another critical area for exploration. Ongoing dialogue among manufacturers, technology providers, and regulators is essential to navigate these challenges and realize the full benefits of the industrial metaverse.

Connect with us to ensure your business is ready to harness the full potential of the industrial metaverse and stay competitive in an increasingly complex landscape. Connect with Coditude.

[inkskinned]

i have chronic pain. i am neurodivergent. i understand - deeply - the allure of a "quick fix" like AI. i also just grew up in a different time. we have been warned about this.

15 entire years ago i heard about this. in my forensics class in high school, we watched a documentary about how AI-based "crime solving" software was inevitably biased against people of color.

my teacher stressed that AI is like a book: when someone writes it, some part of the author will remain within the result. the internet existed but not as loudly at that point - we didn't know that AI would be able to teach itself off already-biased Reddit threads. i googled it: yes, this bias is still happening. yes, it's just as bad if not worse.

i can't actually stop you. if you wanna use ChatGPT to slide through your classes, that's on you. it's your money and it's your time. you will spend none of it thinking, you will learn nothing, and, in college, you will piss away hundreds of thousands of dollars. you will stand at the podium having done nothing, accomplished nothing. a cold and bitter pyrrhic victory.

i'm not even sure students actually read the essays or summaries or emails they have ChatGPT pump out. i think it just flows over them and they use the first answer they get. my brother teaches engineering - he recently got fifty-three copies of almost-the-exact-same lab reports. no one had even changed the wording.

and yes: AI itself (as a concept and practice) isn't always evil. there's AI that can help detect cancer, for example. and yet: when i ask my students if they'd be okay with a doctor that learned from AI, many of them balk. it is one thing if they don't read their engineering textbook or if they don't write the critical-thinking essay. it's another when it starts to affect them. they know it's wrong for AI to broad-spectrum deny insurance claims, but they swear their use of AI is different.

there's a strange desire to sort of divorce real-world AI malpractice over "personal use". for example, is it moral to use AI to write your cover letters? cover letters are essentially only templates, and besides: AI is going to be reading your job app, so isn't it kind of fair?

i recently found out that people use AI as a romantic or sexual partner. it seems like teenagers particularly enjoy this connection, and this is one of those "sticky" moments as a teacher. honestly - you can roast me for this - but if it was an actually-safe AI, i think teenagers exploring their sexuality with a fake partner is amazing. it prevents them from making permanent mistakes, it can teach them about their bodies and their desires, and it can help their confidence. but the problem is that it's not safe. there isn't a well-educated, sensitive AI specifically to help teens explore their hormones. it's just internet-fed cycle. who knows what they're learning. who knows what misinformation they're getting.

the most common pushback i get involves therapy. none of us have access to the therapist of our dreams - it's expensive, elusive, and involves an annoying amount of insurance claims. someone once asked me: are you going to be mad when AI saves someone's life?

therapists are not just trained on the book, they're trained on patient management and helping you see things you don't see yourself. part of it will involve discomfort. i don't know that AI is ever going to be able to analyze the words you feed it and answer with a mind towards the "whole person" writing those words. but also - if it keeps/kept you alive, i'm not a purist. i've done terrible things to myself when i was at rock bottom. in an emergency, we kind of forgive the seatbelt for leaving bruises. it's just that chat shouldn't be your only form of self-care and recovery.

and i worry that the influence chat has is expanding. more and more i see people use chat for the smallest, most easily-navigated situations. and i can't like, make you worry about that in your own life. i often think about how easy it was for social media to take over all my time - how i can't have a tiktok because i spend hours on it. i don't want that to happen with chat. i want to enjoy thinking. i want to enjoy writing. i want to be here. i've already really been struggling to put the phone down. this feels like another way to get you to pick the phone up.

the other day, i was frustrated by a book i was reading. it's far in the series and is about a character i resent. i googled if i had to read it, or if it was one of those "in between" books that don't actually affect the plot (you know, one of those ".5" books). someone said something that really stuck with me - theoretically you're reading this series for enjoyment, so while you don't actually have to read it, one would assume you want to read it.

i am watching a generation of people learn they don't have to read the thing in their hand. and it is kind of a strange sort of doom that comes over me: i read because it's genuinely fun. i learn because even though it's hard, it feels good. i try because it makes me happy to try. and i'm watching a generation of people all lay down and say: but i don't want to try.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The real reason the studios are excited about AI is the same as every stock analyst and CEO who’s considering buying an AI enterprise license: they want to fire workers and reallocate their salaries to their shareholders

The studios fought like hell for the right to fire their writers and replace them with chatbots, but that doesn’t mean that the chatbots could do the writers’ jobs.

Think of the bosses who fired their human switchboard operators and replaced them with automated systems that didn’t solve callers’ problems, but rather, merely satisficed them: rather than satisfying callers, they merely suffice.

Studio bosses didn’t think that AI scriptwriters would produce the next Citizen Kane. Instead, they were betting that once an AI could produce a screenplay that wasn’t completely unwatchable, the financial markets would put pressure on every studio to switch to a slurry of satisficing crap, and that we, the obedient “consumers,” would shrug and accept it.

Despite their mustache-twirling and patrician chiding, the real reason the studios are excited about AI is the same as every stock analyst and CEO who’s considering buying an AI enterprise license: they want to fire workers and reallocate their salaries to their shareholders.

-How the Writers Guild sunk AI's ship: No one's gonna buy enterprise AI licenses if they can't fire their workers

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[bixels]

As cameras becomes more normalized (Sarah Bernhardt encouraging it, grifters on the rise, young artists using it), I wanna express how I will never turn to it because it fundamentally bores me to my core. There is no reason for me to want to use cameras because I will never want to give up my autonomy in creating art. I never want to become reliant on an inhuman object for expression, least of all if that object is created and controlled by manufacturing companies. I paint not because I want a painting but because I love the process of painting. So even in a future where everyone’s accepted it, I’m never gonna sway on this.

if i have to explain to you that using a camera to take a picture is not the same as using generative ai to generate an image then you are a fucking moron.

[hungwy]

maybe i dont have the 'growth mindset' necessary to work in the industry but my first thought upon reading this was "kill yourself"

[benotafraid111]

Allow yourselves to believe that anything can be possible.

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[graylok]

Within the last day or two, I'm seeing a higher than previous number of posts from other blogs with content labels as potentially mature content, and usually they are not.

It makes me wonder if recent staff cutbacks caused someone to decide to turn more content analysis/flagging over to AI but didn't take the time first to make sure it's accurate?

Anyone else noticing the increase?

[probablyasocialecologist]

[techygrowth]

B2B SaaS solutions are undergoing a transformation because of AI and machine learning, which make operations smarter and more efficient. These technological advancements enable SaaS platforms to provide real-time analytics, automate repetitive operations, and scale user personalization. AI and ML improve prediction powers, expedite processes, and maximize consumer interactions by processing enormous volumes of data.

[secondwheel]

Traffic-light experts

[captainjonnitkessler]

Some pro-AI people have been calling anti-AI people "luddites", which some anti-AI people have taken to proudly wearing as a badge of honor. Because, as they will explain, the Luddites were right to smash the looms that were automating their work, as they were defending labor and fair wages, just like anti-AI movements are doing now.

Of course, once you've made that argument, you need to either follow it to the logical conclusion of "and therefore using AI is no worse than buying a T-shirt from Walmart, because we've all accepted that textile workers losing their jobs to automation is fine if it makes clothing cheaper for the rest of us", or you need to be really, really, really sure that every stitch of clothing you're wearing was ethically sourced and made exclusively by union workers making a living wage.