Making machines learn

In part two of our Digital Discovery series, we look at how artificial intelligence is impacting industries with machines that can think and work like us

In part one of our Digital Discovery series, we looked at how the digital transformation of industry is well underway and that technology is developing at a rapid pace. So which technologies are making the biggest impact and why? One of the hot topics in industry today is the continuing evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). As more businesses begin to adopt AI-based solutions, a key question is just how intelligent can artificial intelligence become?

Thinking like us

The ultimate aim of AI is to make machines that work and react like humans. In the past, machines have only been doing what they were told to do, meaning their intelligence has been confined to the inputs they receive. But with the next generation of AI, machines are increasingly behaving like humans, going beyond predefined commands to generate sophisticated decisions.

As we saw in our video series with GE Digital’s intelligent systems expert, Jeff Erhardt, AI has become a broad field encompassing several different branches. One of which is machine learning, which has become a key focus area for many industrial companies, helping them optimise and enhance their processes with machines that can think and learn.

Machine learning is essentially intelligence that enables decisions and predictions based on large amounts of data. This means any company that accumulates data can make use of it – using AI-powered machines and algorithms to recognise characteristics and patterns in order derive conclusions. And according to analysts, significant gains from this will be seen in IT, finance, telecommunications and manufacturing.

Watch the video below to hear AI pathfinder Philipp Gerbert discuss why every business needs AI.

Smarter supply chains

As the food and beverage industry faces increasing demands for fast, affordable and accessible products, producers are looking to AI and machine learning to help scale their operations and stay competitive. AI solutions are now being seen throughout the supply chain, improving everything from farming techniques and food quality to maintenance, logistics and transparency.

Examples of applications include advanced sensor-based sorting of fresh produce to reduce manual labour hour, increase yields, reduce waste and improve quality. With machine learning, food can also be monitored, tested and tracked more efficiently, while pricing and inventory can be more accurately forecasted to keep up with changing consumer trends.

Added to this, machine learning can track the energy use of individual machines, analyse maintenance cycles and optimise system performance. And as data levels increase, systems can become better at optimising themselves and making more accurate predictions. Beyond the factory, AI can enable more efficient deliveries, using machine learning to create the quickest, most logical routes that even help reduce vehicle wear and emissions – all in real time.

To help manufacturers realise the potential of machine learning, SIG is partnering with AI powerhouse GE Digital – deploying GE Digital’s applications across customer factories worldwide to drive new levels of efficiency and open up new possibilities in predicting, managing and servicing filling lines. Read more about this partnership in our Co-Creating the Future series.

And don’t miss part three of our Digital Discovery series when we’ll explore the potential of ultrafast 5G technology.

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