When talking about the upcoming year, 2024, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates predicted that AI would rapidly become the leading technology in every corner of the world, impacting numerous sectors, from business to daily living [1]. This revolution is expected to accelerate many innovation processes and dramatically change industrial production processes at an unprecedented speed.“2023 gave us a glimpse of how artificial intelligence will shape the future,”Gates wrote in his blog.“We now have a better sense of what type of jobs AI will be able to do by itself and which ones it will serve as a copilot for.” One of these functions is undoubtedly the servicing of CNC machine tools, an area of industrial automation that has undergone significant changes in recent years and holds great promise for substantial advancements in development and efficiency in the foreseeable future.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning
Industry 4.0 has indeed been a major turning point for numerous modern smart factories, but it is Industry 5.0 that will ultimately set the course for the digital transition. In fact, CNC machine tools, robots, cobots and robotic cells once relied on the presence of one or more human operators to oversee their operations. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence, these tools can now become “intelligent” themselves, thanks to the use of learning algorithms or Machine Learning. This term encompasses all mechanisms that enable a machine to optimise its performance through self-learning. How? Through the collection and analysis of data, augmented by the application of mathematical and statistical models. In addition to Machine Learning, there is also talk of Deep Learning. But what does this mean? Deep Learning is a learning approach inspired by the workings of the human brain. It uses artificial neural networks, coupled with mathematical models, to process and interpret information.
What are the benefits of incorporating AI into production processes?
While it is impossible to accurately predict what will happen in the coming months, one thing is clear: AI is becoming increasingly important in industry since it offers enormous benefits in terms of efficiency, customisation, control and safety. Above all, incorporating AI reduces the time spent on various processes and minimises human errors. . This leads to optimised revenue. This benefit is also supported by the “Business Continuity” principle facilitated by AI’s automation and predictive maintenance capabilities, which enables uninterrupted production by preventing downtime or breakdowns, reducing worker risks.
What are the risks associated with integrating AI?
One of the most pressing concerns is its potential impact on the jobs of human operators. The use of artificial intelligence could, in fact, result in the disappearance of many jobs, causing a social and economic crisis of unfathomable magnitude. According to a study by the European Parliament[2] , approximately 14% of jobs in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries could be automated, while another 32% would be forced to undergo substantial changes. Cybersecurity is also another important consideration. Artificial intelligence applications that interact with industrial sectors can be vulnerable to misuse or hacking. The unregulated use of artificial intelligence could lead to leaks of confidential data and trade secrets.
Robofeed: the future of automation in Reggio Emilia
Discover the advantages of new technologies for optimising industrial operations in the manufacturing industry with Robofeed, the line of cutting-edge robotic cells designed by Assistec. Robofeed A30, , Robofeed C20, Robofeed FLEXI and all the other Robofeeds are equipped with systems from FANUC, a leading Japanese company specialising in the design and development of industrial robots, which has recently integrated AI into its new models to pursue continuous improvement. At Assistec, we work every day to ensure that Italian industries can harness the full potential of Industry 5.0 through our specialised business unit dedicated entirely to industrial automation.
Don’t delay; stay ahead in the market by embracing new technologies and automated systems. Contact us or call +39 0522989436 for more information on our services and the automated systems we develop.
[1] es.wired.com – “Bill Gates lanza predicciones para 2024: IA y clima protagonizan la agenda mundial” (20/12/2023)
[2] www.europarl.europa.eu – “Artificial intelligence: threats and opportunities” (20-06-2023)