From the very first assembly lines through the revolution in robotics, manufacturing is looking for new ways to increase productivity and reduce costs. These days, major developments are causing the need to further transform and generative AI is helping to pave this path.
The effects of supply chain disruptions have caused havoc on the bottom line and 45 percent of the average business’s annual earnings are set to go down in the next 10 years. Nearer to home, companies struggle to fill crucial shortages in labor, with more than fifty percent (54 percent) of the companies struggling with worker shortages.
These kinds of challenges require new solutions. Generative AI is poised to provide these solutions. It can improve maintenance workflows, and even troubleshoot issues in real time. It can suggest methods to make production lines more efficient and less inefficient. It may even develop new products or components to help take manufacturing to the next step.
By improving manufacturing processes, Generative AII could decrease downtime, increase productivity, make cost savings, and improve customer satisfaction. So why do 82% of businesses considering or using Generative AI think it can drastically alter or change their business (Google Cloud Gen AI Benchmarking Study June 2023)?
How can you apply Generative AI in manufacturing
Due to its ability to process and analyze massive amounts of information, Generative AI can be employed in a broad range of applications -not just to increase effectiveness or production. Here are five scenarios that make use of Generative AI to work in the process of transforming production processes.
Monitor events generated by machine
Predictive maintenance is the most effective strategy to detect and fix potential equipment malfunctions before they occur. According to Deloitte the strategy increases efficiency by 25 percent, decreases failures up to 70 percent, and reduces maintenance costs by 25%.
Generative AI has the potential to play an important role in changing the workflow of maintenance and keeping one step ahead of predictive maintenance. But in the current situation- there are a few more differences Generative AI vs Predictive AI. It aids manufacturers in optimizing their processes by interpreting telemetry data from equipment and machines to decrease unplanned downtime, increase efficiency in operations, and increase utilization. If a problem is discovered the Generative AI can suggest potential solutions as well as a plan of action to assist maintenance teams in resolving the problem. Engineers in manufacturing can communicate via this technology by using natural language as well as common questions that make it available to current employees and appealing to potential employees.
Check out this video to learn how Generative AI can help an organization that handles transport to solve an issue with a malfunctioning locomotive.
Customer service automat
The standard for after-sales support in the manufacturing industry is rising. According to Salesforce, 80% of business buyers expect businesses to be responsive and communicate with them in real-time and 82% believe that personal care is the reason they are loyal.
To meet the expectations of customers Manufacturers are using Generative AI that offers an efficient, value-added service experience that automates, and speeds up resolution time for everyday interactions such as product troubleshooting and ordering replacement parts, offering service, product information, and the operation of products.
Watch this video to learn how Generative AI enhances the customer service of an automobile manufacturer by providing instant support to the owner of the vehicle who notices an unusual warning light.
Synthesis and Document search
In the manufacturing process manuals for services and products are often extremely complex which makes it challenging for technicians working on service to locate the essential elements they require to repair a malfunctioning component. Quotes and ordering can be very difficult and sales personnel frequently have to decipher the vast array of information before preparing a quote for a customer.
Generative AI can quickly sift through the many generations of documents that are part of the life cycle of a product, finding and presenting the essential information needed by technicians and sales teams. For instance, it could provide instructions for servicing in a simple and step-by-step format, so technicians can immediately get to work. Additionally, it can create purchase orders quickly and offer customers a price, removing the requirement for sales staff to manually cross-reference emails and the availability of inventory.
Product and content catalog discovery
Utilizing Generative AI, companies benefit from a method that allows them to make sure that their requirements are in line with the specifications of the products they purchase and offer the same level of service to their clients.
Generative AI-powered sales applications can give sales advice using historical sales data, inventory information, master records, and many more. The sales suggestions can be made using specially designed machine learning algorithms that are equipped with real-time or continuous feedback mechanisms to improve the results suggested. Results can be paired with more detailed information on sales data, paired by meta-information, which is stored by sales reps providing a clear insight into the purchasing process.
Supply to chain consultant
As we have mentioned supply chain disruptions are having a huge impact on manufacturing. In addition to coping with the long-term effects of these disruptions, manufacturers are now being tasked with more ethical, responsible, and sustainable sources of raw materials. To achieve this, visibility throughout every aspect of their supply chain should be the highest goal for supply chain managers.
Generative AI acts as a supply chain consultant and provides greater insight into complex networks and offers suggestions for the most suitable suppliers that are based on the relevant criteria example, specifications for a bill of materials or availability of raw materials, delivery times as well as sustainability metrics. Highly adept at separating clauses using natural language processing in contracts and legal documents, it can provide real-time information on supply chain performance, helping make better decisions.
Are you ready to start?
Leading manufacturers are hitting the floor with Generative AI.
Global airline provider, GA Telesis, has integrated Google Cloud’s Generative AI technology to completely transform sales processes. GA Telesis’ CEO Abdol Moabery said, “In aerospace, GA Telesis will deploy Google Cloud’s AI generative AI technology to revolutionize selling and service processes of the components it supplies to major global passengers and cargo transporters.”
US Steel is building applications that utilize Google Cloud’s generative artificial intelligence technology to boost efficiency and enhance employee experience in the biggest iron ore mining operation situated in North America.
“We’ve significantly increased the speed of the digitization process within U. S. Steel by collaborating using Google Cloud. Speedier repair times, shorter downtime, and more enjoyable tasks for our engineers are just some of the many advantages we can expect from intelligent AI,” said David Burritt President and chief executive officer of U. S. Steel. “I’m happy to know that this U. S. Steel team is a leader in manufacturing in this area.”
GE Appliances assists consumers in creating custom recipes using the ingredients that they cook with Generative AI that can enhance and personalize the experience of consumers. GE Appliances’ SmartHQ consumer application will make use of Google Cloud’s Generative AI platform Vertex AI, to provide users with the capability to create customized recipes based on the ingredients in their kitchen thanks to its latest feature, Flavorly(tm) AI. SmartHQ Assistant, a conversational AI interface, will utilize Google Cloud’s Generative AI platform to help users with questions regarding the care and use of appliances that are connected to the home.
You can reap the transformational benefits of Generative AI too. Download our most recent eBook The Executive’s Guide to Generative AI, for more information on how to begin your journey.
