The opportunities (and threats) posed by AI within manufacturing

The EU’s artificial intelligence law is being voted on in the European Parliament today.

It’s likely to pass, and organisations who fail to comply could see fines of €40 million (or 7% of total worldwide turnover). So, is it time for manufacturers to panic? Not yet, no.

AI is under immense scrutiny right now, but there are certain steps you can take to ensure you’re using it responsibly, regardless of whatever guidelines the EU brings in. Here are five of my top tips:

Be proactive, not reactive

DON’T wait until your AI starts causing problems before you fix it. Identify what could go wrong, and put the infrastructure in place to make sure that it doesn’t.

Stay ahead of legislation

DON’T wait for the government to tell you what to do. Make sensible updates to your policies now, and you’ll be in a better place when the government speaks up.

Use what you already have

DON’T do it all from scratch. If you have existing policies and frameworks in place, adapt them rather than throw them in the bin. It’s much simpler.

Consider every element

DON’T forget that it’s about using AND procuring AND developing AI. Understanding all three elements is crucial if you plan to leverage AI in a responsible manner.

Keep learning

DO your research. There are plenty of tools and techniques out there which can easily guide you through the process. Find them… it only takes a Google. 

The bottom line: AI poses a lot of opportunities and questions for manufacturers, but you will make your life so much easier if you start planning for the future now. Where I would start? The Responsible AI Institute. Their resources are beyond brilliant and they will always be helpful if you’ve got any areas of concern. 

Or, if you have any urgent questions, you can always get in touch with me directly: [email protected].