Hartford Business Journal

30 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 2, 2023 Focus: Manufacturing George Bollas, director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering at the University of Connecticut, said manufacturers that don't invest in AI will eventually be left behind. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED 'Knowledge Hub' From robots to data analysis, AI could reshape manufacturing in CT in its early stages, the Marcum survey concluded. Connecticut stakeholders say manufacturers' adoption of AI will not only be crucial, but necessary. "I think all the manufacturers that do not invest in AI will be left behind eventually, because that's the way to go," said George Bollas, director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering at the University of Connecticut. "It's really optimizing processes auto- matically and can enable increased productivity by who knows how much." State industry leaders view AI as a way to augment, not replace, workers in manufacturing and other industries. There are about 92,000 unfilled jobs in Connecticut, many of which are in the manufacturing sector, federal data shows. "There's the big question of if AI will replace the workforce," said Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie. "Well, on the manufacturing floor it won't replace the workforce, it will augment the workforce and allow it to work on higher-value tasks. We need to look at how we can use AI, machine learning and robotics to do the work that we can't find people to do. AI doesn't replace a worker, but a worker who under- stands the AI will replace a worker who doesn't." Best AI uses in manufacturing Artificial intelligence is being used by manufacturers in several ways, experts said. Lavoie said an increasing number of companies are adopting automation and robotics technology to complement their work- force, especially where repeatable tasks are involved. Robots, for example, can be used to build cardboard boxes and essen- tially work on an assembly line, freeing up employees to do more high-value tasks, Lavoie said. Data analysis is another huge use. "We're really looking at how to use AI to help drive the interpretation of data to get different results on a shop floor … to come up with better methods," Lavoie said. AI systems can help make produc- tion lines run more efficiently, said Jeff Orszak, director of business technology and innovation at CONNSTEP, a manu- facturing industry consultant owned by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. Companies can input data into AI-backed systems that recommend, in real time, the best way to move parts through a production facility based on yields, performance and quality controls, Orszak said. MOST POPULAR AI USES BY MANUFACTURERS Operational improvements Reducing expenses Training Automation Supply chain management Logistics Source: Marcum's 2023 National Manufacturing Survey By Skyler Frazer sfrazer@hartfordbusiness.com A s companies continue to explore the best ways to leverage artificial intelli- gence, the Italian parent company of a prominent Connecticut manufac- turer plans to launch a new AI-re- lated business in the state next year that will help companies modernize their operations. Italian airfoils compressor manu- facturer Pietro Rosa purchased AI-based knowledge management company R-Tree Technologies in 2022, and is implementing the company's technology in its subsid- iary businesses internationally, including at Farmington-based New England Airfoil Products. While R-Tree is based in Italy, Pietro Rosa plans to open a U.S. headquarters for the AI company in Connecticut, where it will further refine its technology. R-Tree also plans to eventually sell its tech- nology to other U.S. manufacturers, according to Clive Cunliffe, Pietro Rosa's North American president. R-Tree uses a company's data, research and other knowledge sources to create a searchable and all-encompassing database that can generate quick answers to specific employee questions. For example, if a company plans to do business with a Korean firm, the technology can search its own data- base to find historical information, like if the company has ever done busi- ness in the market before, who led the effort and when, Cunliffe said. "Because it's all contained within a knowledge hub within the company," Cunliffe said, "you can ask, 'Do we have anybody who speaks Korean? Have we ever done business in that part of the world? Have we ever had Paul S. Lavoie Jeff Orszak any issues there?' Then it will pull together an … answer to the question that you asked. If you can access the knowledge that you own really quickly, you've got something that helps differ- entiate you in the marketplace." Pietro Rosa's AI investment is one example of how manufacturers are using new technologies to modernize and upgrade their operations. Accounting firm Marcum released its 2023 National Manufacturing Survey in August, which concluded that AI has moved "from a buzzword to a real-life tool." Fifty-five percent of respondents said their company is investing in technology over the next year, including in AI and augmented reality. Companies are using AI to reduce expenses, support automation or improve operations, including logis- tics, supply chain management and employee training. "Artificial intelligence is making radical progress and offers promise for easing the labor crunch and driving efficiencies in manufacturing," said Jonathan Shoop, a partner at Marcum who is also a consumer and industrial products leader. Still, the technology's use remains

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