Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping the operational landscape of businesses, driving automation and improving efficiency across diverse industries, such as manufacturing, warehousing and retail. Amid the “hype” around Generative AI (GenAI), some companies forget that AI has been around for a long time. AI has a long history dating back to the 1950s, with milestones almost every decade.
A decade ago, AI was largely experimental, when researchers and companies were exploring systems designed to outperform humans. Fast forward to today, we find ourselves in a very different landscape. The introduction of GenAI technologies, such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot for developers, Sora, and Midjourney, have elevated AI to a central role in industry conversations. Companies are increasingly using these capabilities to improve efficiency and results.
Today, as companies grapple with budget constraints, growing security concerns and ROI pressure, there is little room or time left to admire the hype. It is essential that business leaders focus on measurable productivity, process efficiency, workforce optimization, cost savings and revenue growth.
Fueling APAC’s digital leap
In Asia Pacific (APAC), AI and GenAI are top priorities for policymakers in 2024. Research showed that 83% of senior executives in the APAC region rank GenAI among their top three business priorities, while another study also forecasts a 140% increase in GenAI spending over the next year, outpacing other regions. However, 93% of executives today recognize the obstacles to adopting GenAI in their company, and only 6% created policies to ensure that AI is used responsibly.
In the manufacturing sector, AI is expected to drive significant business growth. According to Zebra Manufacturing Vision 2024 Study68% of APAC manufacturers surveyed expect AI to propel their growth by 2029, an increase from 46% in 2024. This sharp rise in AI adoption, coupled that 87% of APAC respondents prioritize digital transformation, highlights manufacturers’ commitment to improving data management and leveraging new technologies like AI to improve visibility and quality while throughout the manufacturing process.
Advances in machine vision are examples where we see organizations from different industries at different levels of maturity, leveraging AI to achieve meaningful results. Modern machine vision unlocks new levels of analysis, precision, compliance and quality in production processes, providing engineers with new tools to work more efficiently. These developments go beyond the hype around AI and show its true value across industries.
Unlocking the power of AI through training
Deep learning neural networks are powerful AI tools. Despite their transformative potential, they are not without limits. To maximize the capabilities of AI, companies must invest in training their AI models and their employees. Realistic expectations and comprehensive training strategies enable teams to take full advantage of AI’s capabilities. Proper evaluation metrics are also crucial to assess performance and ensure that AI systems deliver real value.
Companies also face several data challenges to leverage AI effectively, such as inadequate and unbalanced sample sizes and inconsistent data annotations. Additionally, environmental factors influencing data quality must be carefully managed to ensure that deep learning solutions function properly.
How to take AI from hype to reality
The APAC region is witnessing a concerted effort by governments to create an enabling environment for the development and use of AI. By establishing regulatory frameworks, such as Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI in SingaporeBy promoting ethical guidelines and investing in innovation, governments aim to harness the potential of AI while addressing the risks and challenges associated with it. In this evolving landscape, businesses also need guidance to cut through the hype and ensure AI-driven value for their operations.
These efforts provide a new driving force for investing in the partnerships and technologies needed to make digital factories and smart manufacturing operations a reality. Organizations can achieve new levels of efficiency and innovation by leveraging AI to automate workflows, empower workers, and leverage predictive and prescriptive analytics.
In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, business leaders need to ask the right questions: Which manufacturing process requires automation and would benefit from AI? What type of AI would be most suitable? How can we ensure compliance with the law, and who should be the stakeholders involved to achieve this? These are crucial considerations that go beyond the hype around AI and must be taken into account to ensure successful implementation.
Beyond the buzz: the real impact of AI
Contrary to the prevailing idea that AI only creates and eliminates jobs, we are witnessing a transformative change similar to the advent of the car, the telephone and the Internet – a change that will give rise to new jobs and new industries. By equipping teams with new and better AI-powered tools, businesses enable their teams to work faster, more efficiently, and with more precision.
In industries such as manufacturing and warehousing, which face significant challenges in hiring, training and retention, AI is helping to fill labor shortages, train workers faster and help the current workforce. Workers with AI capabilities will be increasingly valuable as companies build a future-ready workforce.
Organizations are also increasingly recognizing the importance of democratizing AI and machine learning as a strategic priority. By honing their skills and providing accessible learning resources, employees can use user-friendly AI tools that automate tasks and support them in other areas of their roles.
The future of AI lies in its strategic application, where businesses move beyond hype to focus on real impact. As AI continues to evolve, companies that invest in appropriate training, responsible use, and data management will be best positioned to unlock its full potential. By empowering workers, automating processes and driving innovation, AI will improve efficiency and drive sustainable growth across all industries. Those who wisely integrate AI into their operations today will be the leaders who shape the future of tomorrow’s businesses.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CDOTrends. Image credit: iStockphoto/1001gece
