It may be hard to imagine, but the first instance of the “Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has been traced back to 1968” with the programmable logic controller (PLC) used by General Motors. This was somewhat of the unofficial start of the technological connectivity within the industry and we continue to see industrial AI transforming manufacturing today.

Fast forward 50 years, and “nearly every aspect of the manufacturing industry has become connected.” AI is enabling us to pull together all the data into actionable information. It “ “isn’t a replacement, but an enhancement,” and the more we look at it from this purview, the more we can seek to utilize its benefits to gain efficiencies throughout the manufacturing process and supply chain.

A few examples of this are enabling AI to be your “eyes” scouring a library of custom designs or templates to reduce time and resources, which results in quicker production and a faster-to-market result. Many companies are using Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI chatbot to help identify bottlenecks and slowdowns in production and assist with maintenance like identifying problems and providing comprehensive solutions.

How does Pragmatyxs play a role in the world of AI? As the manufacturing industry adopts this rapidly evolving technology—something many have already embraced—so must the business systems. The systems and partners we support must understand how AI can enhance operations and have a clear implementation path. Ensuring compatibility and focusing on ongoing improvement and innovation will be key for businesses to stay competitive and drive progress.