Manufacturers hope for AI boost in factories

“INCREASING EFFICIENCY”

But Aleph Alpha CEO Jonas Andrulis told AFP that Europe’s contribution to the AI revolution must go “beyond regulation”.

At another stand at the Hanover fair, Siemens was also exhibiting an application aimed at improving factory performance.

In partnership with Microsoft, the German industrial conglomerate is this year planning to bring out a new version of the Teams messaging platform.

It will feature ChatGPT and be specifically designed to help workers and spot defaults in products.

Microsoft and Siemens, who say they are working with a number of clients in the automotive and aerospace industries, rejected accusation that AI will lead to job losses.

Anthony Hemmelgarn, CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software, said that 70 per cent of issues were not being recorded and that AI was “not replacing anybody”, as certain tasks were not getting done.

“It’s all about increasing efficiency”, he added.

Another advantage that AI could bring is “alleviating the shortage of skilled workers”, particularly in Germany, said Jochen Koeckler, head of the Hanover fair organisers.

In Europe’s biggest economy, almost 58 per cent of manufacturers complain of workforce shortages, according to a study by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training published last December.

For Andrulis, AI will undoubtedly lead to huge upheavals in the world of work.

But he also sought to offer assurances. “It’s not like AI will take your job. But the company who will use AI will take the market share of the company who doesn’t.”