Will AI lead to a manufacturing resurgence in North America? According to Vlad Romanov, Founder and Manufacturing Executive of Solis PLC, that is the hope he has. He discusses the loss of manufacturing advantages in recent years and the potential role of technology, including AI and robotics, in enhancing competitiveness. The conversation covers topics such as the impact of AI on operational technologies, workforce dynamics, supply chain communications, and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Vlad also shares his thoughts on the importance of training, change management, and the need for real-world AI application case studies. The episode concludes with Vlad giving career advice for aspiring professionals in the manufacturing sector and sharing a glimpse into his interests.

Takeaways:

• Explore AI Tools: Start experimenting with AI tools to improve different aspects of your business, such as sales, operations, marketing, and manufacturing efficiency. Consider running small, fast sprints and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) to test out different solutions.
• Focus on Sales and Marketing: Improve your sales and marketing strategies to get more orders through the door. Utilize AI to better understand customer needs, enhance marketing efforts, and streamline sales processes.
• Invest in Education: Invest time in learning and understanding both the technical and business sides of manufacturing. Consider upskilling in AI, programming, and data analysis through available online resources and AI models.
• Leverage Data: Ensure you are collecting and utilizing data effectively. This includes data from various sources, such as machine operations, sales, customer feedback, and more. Apply AI to analyze this data for better decision-making.
• Address Obsolete Systems: Assess your current equipment and systems, especially if they are obsolete. Look for ways to modernize and integrate new technologies that can improve efficiency and data collection.
• Share and Learn: Encourage the sharing of case studies and successful implementations of AI in manufacturing. Learning from the experiences of others can help improve your own AI deployment strategies.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I think AI is gonna drastically change every single area, and if we're not up to speed on it, we're simply not gonna be able to win on that front.” - Vlad Romanov

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/
• Website: https://www.solisplc.com/
• Podcast: https://www.manufacturinghub.live/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://agenticinsider.show/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fCCuVl6tL5p2kEAwFCQNJ
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-agentic-insider/id1807346381
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9fe0482d-d798-4420-a93a-fc6653bce437
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-agentic-insider-6057241

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iridiusAI

How can we build future-proof AI? It’s nearly impossible, but that’s something Phillip and Alistair touch on in this episode with Dr. Vinesh Sukumar, VP Head of Gen AI/ML Product Management at Qualcomm. Vinesh discusses the challenges and innovations in the Edge AI space, the significance of personalization, and the transition from static AI models to autonomous agents. He shares insights into the elements necessary for creating a best-in-class Edge AI processor and reflects on his extensive career. The episode also covers the importance of security and governance in AI systems, successful and challenging AI projects, and future trends in AI technology.

Takeaways:

• Embrace Continuous Learning: The field of AI is evolving rapidly. Continuously update your knowledge by reading research papers, books, and watching educational talks.
• Understand the Importance of Personalization in AI: Focus on creating AI systems that offer personalized user experiences. AI should be able to adapt to individual needs and preferences while ensuring privacy and security.
• Leverage Edge Computing: Explore the benefits of edge computing for AI applications, especially in scenarios where latency, bandwidth, and power constraints are critical.
• Participate in Consortia and Standards: Engage with industry consortia like NIST to stay informed about best practices in AI safety, governance, and standards.
• Focus on Interoperability: Ensure that your AI systems can work seamlessly with other external tools, APIs, and multi-agent systems. Interoperability is crucial for robust AI deployment.
• Innovate Responsibly: Prioritize responsible AI development by continuously monitoring deployed systems and updating them as necessary to ensure ongoing safety and performance.

Quote of the Show:

• “It’s a learning experience everyday.” - Vinesh Sukumar

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineshsukumar/
• Website: https://www.qualcomm.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://agenticinsider.show/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fCCuVl6tL5p2kEAwFCQNJ
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-agentic-insider/id1807346381
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9fe0482d-d798-4420-a93a-fc6653bce437
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-agentic-insider-6057241
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iridiusAI

In celebration of Iridius winning their first award, Phillip and Alistair welcome the CEO, Mike Kropp, onto the podcast. The discussion reveals Iridius's recent achievement of winning their first award at the ISG AI Impact Summit in Boston, covering the experience and significance of this recognition. Mike shares insights from the event, including pivotal discussions on AI implementation, the role of human oversight, and the hurdles companies face in production deployment due to security concerns. Additionally, Mike delves into a local event in Kirkland that focused on AI's regional impact, touching on issues like job growth and housing affordability in the Pacific Northwest. The episode wraps up with Mike's personal interests and career advice rooted in passion and discovery.

Takeaways:

• Strategic Insight from Industry Leaders: Learn from strategic insights provided by industry leaders like ISG and consulting firms like IBM, which are setting benchmarks in AI implementation. Track the progress of other companies and their AI strategies to inform your own approach.
• Human-Centric AI Implementation: Recognize the importance of keeping humans in the loop during AI implementation to maintain control and oversight.
• Cultural and Behavioral Aspects of AI: Explore how to align AI agents with company culture and values to ensure seamless integration and positive interaction with human employees. Consider the potential for AI to influence and shape corporate culture, and plan accordingly.
• Real-World AI Applications: Follow up on developments in how AI is impacting specific sectors, such as real estate and job growth, particularly in tech hubs like the Pacific Northwest.
• Community and Regional Impact: Participate in local forums and discussions to understand how AI will affect your region and industry. Be aware of the socioeconomic impacts, such as housing affordability and job market changes, that technological advancements may bring.

Quote of the Show:

• “ It's super exciting to see how customers reacted to what we're building. They clearly saw that implementing safe, responsible AI in their organizations and being able to do it fast with confidence is clearly something they're super interested in. ” - Mike Kropp

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-k-kropp/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-swan/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistaln/
• Website: https://iridius.ai/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://agenticinsider.show/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fCCuVl6tL5p2kEAwFCQNJ
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-agentic-insider/id1807346381
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9fe0482d-d798-4420-a93a-fc6653bce437
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-agentic-insider-6057241
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iridiusAI