Sandvik Coromant: How to Survive AI and Thrive

AI won't take your job- if you don't let it. 

That's the central premise of Sandvik Coromant's latest whitepaper, 'How to survive AI and thrive'. 

“ AI is not just a tool for optimising processes, it is a transformative force that redefines the way we view efficiency, innovation and competitiveness in the industrial landscape. ” says Taline Forsberg, Vice President of Digital Products and Services, Sandvik Coromant.

Like Taline says, AI is set to fundamentally transform how we work. It's coming regardless of current uncertainty, and manufacturers must prepare themselves to rethink work itself and successfully adapt. 

A huge part of this preparation has to be upskilling workers. We all know the manufacturing world is running low on skilled workers especially as the way we work inevitably transforms due to automation and AI. 

These technologies can handle repetitive tasks and enable superior knowledge gathering and sharing, freeing workers up to enhance their skills and delve into complex, high-level work. 

Workers need to be ready for this shift, and manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure they are. 

This technological revolution cannot and should not be about leaving people behind. While these technologies do bring profound value, nothing can replace the value people bring.

With this in mind, Sandvik Coromant's whitepaper gives manufacturers a framework to survive AI and thrive. 

Today we'll be focusing on the technological developments they highlight, and the advice they give to successfully adapt.

Because as Karin Kimbrough, Chief Economist at LinkedIn says in the whitepaper: 

"Ultimately, when we talk about AI’s impact on work, what we are really talking about is how people will adopt these tools and continue to strengthen the people skills that complement them.”

Before you can successfully upskill people, you need to understand the areas of smart manufacturing where AI is set to play a prominent role.

Sandvik Coromant's whitepaper highlights three key areas where the AI revolution is taking hold, giving manufacturers the knowledge to effectively implement AI and strategically plan training.

Areas where you'll see strong AI/ human collaboration

1. Digital twins 

The report identified digital twins as a key area for AI development. Now necessary to the daily operations of many manufacturers, digital twins enhance product quality, streamline development and optimise operations. 

The technology also has big training benefits, enabling workers to interact with 3D virtual replicas of factory plants and technologies without the same real-world risks and costs. 

To create digital twins a huge amount of data is needed- data that has to be updated if any element of the part, plant or technology changes. 

AI can automate this process through independently updating digital twins, making the daily use of digital twins significantly easier and more efficient. 

Therefore workers must understand how to effectively manage and maintain this process. 

2. AI-powered automation 

Natural language programming and predictive maintenance are two areas where AI is critical, minimising costly downtime and enhancing overall productivity. 

When it comes to predictive maintenance, workers mindsets must shift from reactive to proactive as they embrace AI's ability to remain ahead of breakdowns, errors and maintenance. 

Workers have a key role to play in highlighting long-term, higher level process and equipment changes that could be beneficial based on the AI's findings and suggestions.

3. Cobots, humanoid robots & Mobile Manipulators ( MoMas) 

Collaborative robots- which includes humanoid and advanced mobile robots- are now a daily part of manufacturing operations.

AI will make them safer and more autonomous, enabling superior collaboration with human workers and freeing those workers up to focus on higher-level tasks. 

Training needs to expand on how to successfully interact with and manage the AI of these robots, making the handling of materials and logistics more efficient. 

Correcting their course and feeding back on improvements will become an important part of future manufacturing roles, mirroring what Sam Altman, Open AI CEO has to say about AI altogether:

"Let society and the technology co-evolve, and sort of step-by-step with a very tight feedback loop and course correction, build these systems that deliver tremendous value while meeting safety requirements." 

The whitepaper argues that manufacturers must learn five essential lessons to approach this process effectively. 

How will they learn these lessons? The report says they need to turn their minds to sci-fi. 

Five essential lessons you can take from sci-fi

1. Get exploring 

The whitepaper urges manufacturers to approach AI with an open, curious mind to be true tech explorers.

Staying proactive and engaged, updating skills through workshops and staying ahead of new technologies will form the foundation of this exploration.

2. Learn the ways of automation technologies

To best use and embrace AI systems, you have to understand how they work. 

AI has an abundance of different subtypes, applications and use cases- which all grow continually as innovation continues.

Therefore to stay educated on AI you need to embrace a continuous learning approach. Ergo when it comes to AI the learning is never done.

When manufacturers understand the nuances, power and numerous applications of AI they'll be better equipped and more empowered to integrate the technology into operations. 

Sandvik Coromant has modelled the above exploration and learning themselves, through using AI to create the 'Impossible Statue'.

3. Your humanity keeps you ahead 

Machines can never replace the critical thinking, charm or creativity of human beings. The process matters just as much as the outcome, with 92% of US executives in the whitepaper agreeing that people skills are more crucial now than ever.

AI is great for handling routine, speeding up processes and making it easier for you to get in touch with your unique talents.

Now is the perfect time to also polish up your people skills.

4. Protect your workplace 

Amusingly described in the whitepaper as 'guarding the galaxy of your workplace', workers need to be stewards of safety and maintenance in automated environments.

To enhance efficiency and prevent accidents manufacturers need to intimately understand these systems.

After all AI is a tool. It's your responsibility to ensure AI is serving you and your people best. 

5. Adapting is key 

In the futuristic space ages of sci-fi, the leaders are those who stay agile and seek to adapt. 

Welcoming new roles and processes and maintaining flexibility will make manufacturers indispensable and enhance results. 

While the whitepaper firmly asserts that AI is an incoming revolution that's futile to resist, it also urges that manufacturers can control their own destiny by being proactive. 

This isn't a revolution you have to be passively swept up in. It's one that you can control and meaningfully embrace to secure the future of your business and staff. 

By reading Sandvik Coromant's latest whitepaper, you too can learn how to survive AI and thrive. 

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