Microsoft Unveils AI Models for Manufacturing Industry
Microsoft has unveiled a new series of AI models for industry, including manufacturing.
These new partner-enabled models come from organisations that are leveraging Microsoft's Phi family of small language models (SLMs), and will be available through the Azure AI model catalogue or directly via these partner organisations.
These models will continue to drive innovation and advancement in the sector, already being utilised by some of the biggest global manufacturers.
Underpinned by Microsoft Cloud, Microsoft continues improve the capabilities and reach of industrial AI.
Notable work in this area includes its industry data solutions in Microsoft Fabric, its AI agents in Microsoft Copilot Studio and its AI models in Azure AI Studio, which is designed to enable industries to realise their full potential.
"Today, we’re excited to announce the availability of partner-enabled AI models for industry," says Satish Thomas, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Business & Industry Solutions.
"We’re collaborating with leading partners like Bayer, Cerence Inc., Rockwell Automation, Saifr by Fidelity Investments, Siemens, and Sight Machine from an industry specific perspective to develop and make AI models available in the Azure AI model catalog, or directly through our partners.
"These models can also be used to build and configure agents in Microsoft Copilot Studio. Microsoft is in a unique position to deliver the industry-specific solutions organizations need through the combination of the Microsoft Cloud, our industry expertise, and our global partner ecosystem."
Satish goes on to highlight how the AI has been implemented in industry use cases so far.
"Through these models, we’re addressing top industry use cases, from managing regulatory compliance of financial communications to helping frontline workers with asset troubleshooting on the factory floor -- ultimately, enabling organisations to adopt AI at scale across every industry and region." he adds.
With this said, lets take a closer look at Microsoft's manufacturing partners who are collaborating with them on this new series of AI models.
Bayer
A global enterprise with operations spanning healthcare to agriculture, Bayer is making E.I.Y Crop Protection available in the Azure AI model catalogue.
This specialised SLM will enhance the sustainability of crop protection, application, compliance and knowledge within the global agricultural sector.
Trained on thousands of real-world questions on Bayer crop protection labels and fueled by the company's experience in the sector, the model provides the company's partners and developers a critical tool to tailor solutions for specific agricultural and food needs.
This model demonstrates a strong commitment to responsible AI standards, customisation capabilities to enable organisations to adapt the model to regional and crop-specific requirements and scalability to farm operations of all sizes and types.
Rockwell Automation
A respected leader in digital transformation and industrial automation, Rockwell Automation will supply industrial AI expertise via the Azure AI model catalog.
The FT Optix Food & Beverage model supplies industry-specific capabilities to frontline workers in manufacturing, helping asset troubleshooting in the food and beverage domain.
Factory floor engineers and workers can access timely recommendations, explanations and knowledge about specific manufacturing processes via the AI.
This comes after Rockwell Automation collaborated closely with Microsoft on technological innovations that were put on display at Hannover Messe.
“Rockwell’s partnership with Microsoft is a shared vision of creating and delivering the best solutions to empower the future of industrial operations,” says Nicole Denil, Global Vice President, Market Access, Rockwell Automation.
“We simplify complexity in how manufacturers design, operate, and maintain their enterprises and empower their people."
Siemens
Technology giant Siemens is introducing a new copilot for NX X software which will be made available in the Azure Marketplace and other channels.
The NX X software leverages an adapted AI model that enables users through natural language questions to experience detailed technical insights and streamline complex product development and design tasks.
The copilot will provide CAD designers with AI-driven recommendations to enhance the design process within the NX X experience, enabling engineers to ensure expected quality from production to design.
The N X software is being delivered on Azure so organisations can benefit from Microsoft's responsible AI tools and access to enterprise-grade security.
“Our customers are continuing to ask Siemens to bring our industry leading industrial software to Azure,” says Bob Haubrock, Senior Vice President, Product Engineering Software, Siemens Digital Industries Software.
“Our relationship with Microsoft is now more than 35 years and we are pleased, once again, to expand this collaboration so we can best enable our customers to digitally transform through our joint solutions.
Microsoft's AI ethos
Microsoft's AI ethos is guided by a commitment to trustworthiness, ensuring its solutions provide safety, security, integrity and privacy.
"Trustworthy AI is foundational to everything we do, from how we work with customers to the capabilities we build into our products," says Satish
"At Microsoft, we combine industry AI experience, insights and capabilities with a deep understanding of customer challenges and objectives.
"Along with a trusted ecosystem of experienced partners, we unlock the full potential of AI for each industry and business. Our goal is not just to offer or implement AI tools but to help customers succeed by embedding AI into the very core of what each industry does.
"AI transformation is here, and Microsoft is at the forefront of this revolution. As we continue to navigate this new era of innovation, it’s clear that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business across all industries and that Microsoft will continue to lead the way."
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