After three long years, our Future is WOW event made its highly awaited return, bringing together TenForce users, clients, and partners to share valuable insights and advancements in the field of EHSQ.  

AI-PROFICIENT, the groundbreaking R&D initiative aimed at revolutionizing plant productivity in the European manufacturing and process industry, proved to be the highlight. But that wasn’t all! With a wide range of engaging sessions and opportunities to network throughout the day, The Future is WOW 2023 left participants ready to explore the boundless possibilities of AI.   

Join us as we recap the highlights of this year’s event!  

AI-PROFICIENT: Transforming Manufacturing Through AI and Innovation  

AI-PROFICIENT, a collaborative effort between industry leaders, research institutions, and technology providers, including TenForce, has set out to apply the power of artificial intelligence (AI), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and augmented reality (AR) technologies to boost plant productivity across the European manufacturing sector.   

By combining human expertise with AI capabilities, this ambitious project aims to drive transformative changes, enabling manufacturers to:  

• Achieve higher production yields
• Reduce operational costs
• Improve product quality
• Increase competitiveness on the global stage
• Unlock new business opportunities
• Foster innovation throughout the manufacturing sector.

Diverse Perspectives: Industry Leaders Share Their Wisdom 

AI aside, the event covered a range of topics, including digitalization, scaling an EHSQ (Environment, Health, Safety, Quality) system, environmental management, and regulatory compliance.  

Keynote speeches, client stories, product demos, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities filled the agenda. And, an impressive lineup of industry experts shared their expertise and firsthand experiences, including:  

• Athens Technology Center – provider of technologies to support the profitable growth of companies and governments around the globe
• The University of Lorraine – supporting 60,000 students from undergraduate to postgraduate studies
• Enhesa – the leading provider of regulatory and sustainability intelligence worldwide
• Elisa IndustrIQ – an industrial manufacturing software provider with expertise in supply chain solutions
• Mihajlo Pupin Institute – a leading scientific research organization in the field of information and communication technology
• TEKNIKER – a technology center specialized in advanced manufacturing, surface engineering, product engineering, and ICTs for manufacturing
• Loria Laboratory – one of the largest laboratories in the Lorraine area, dedicated to computer science and its applications.

The Promising Path Forward with AI Innovation 

The event kicked off with an opening keynote by Jan Van den Nieuwenhof, CEO of TenForce, setting the stage for a busy day. Here are some more highlights from the agenda: 

• Intro to AI-PROFICIENT: AI for Improved Production Efficiency, Quality, and Maintenance – Professor Benoit Iung introduced the AI-PROFICIENT project, showcasing how AI technologies are revolutionizing manufacturing and process plants to enhance production efficiency, quality, and maintenance.
• Connected Worker – Using AI/ML and Extended Reality Interfaces on the Factory Floor – TenForce and INEOS demonstrated a connected worker solution, integrating EHSQ software, wearable devices, image recognition, and AI algorithms to optimize on-site raw material usage and reduce human errors.
• Production Process Optimization Through Quality Analysis Tools and Explainable AI – Dea Pujić presented a solution that combines optimization techniques, transparent decision-making, quality analysis tools, and Explainable AI, enabling organizations to improve product characteristics, optimize processes, and gain a competitive edge.
• Operationalizing AI Ethics in Industry 4.0 – Marc Anderson discussed the limitations of standard AI Ethics approaches in heavy industry and proposed the adoption of the AI-Proficient Ground Up Ethics approach, focusing on direct ethical recommendations and continually evolving guidance.
• Anomaly Detection, Root Cause Analysis, and Reinforcement Learning – George Triantafyllou presented a tool for root cause analysis, utilizing deep semi-supervised anomaly detection, the Shapley Additive Explanations method, and human feedback to enhance anomaly detection, root cause analysis, and reinforcement learning.
• A Sustainable Future Through Digitalization – Marta Weiss highlighted the role of digitalization in achieving sustainability goals, sharing Elisa IndustrIQ’s journey in optimizing manufacturing operations. She shared various AI/ML solutions for traceability, compliance, anomaly detection, quality assurance, and AI-assisted decision-making.
• AI for Manufacturing Optimization – Kerman López de Calle discussed using data-driven and AI models in manufacturing, specifically in polymer extrusion and laser metal decomposition-based additive manufacturing. His presentation emphasized the role of data, models, and AI in solving real-world manufacturing challenges.

Product updates and demonstrations by TenForce experts boosted these talks, giving participants valuable hands-on experience and practical insights.  

Navigating Sustainability and Industry 4.0  

The Power of AI, ML, and AR  

One takeaway from The Future is WOW was the pivotal role of AI, machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR) in Industry 4.0.   

Manufacturing is leading the way in utilizing AI, employing it in various areas such as predictive maintenance, digital twin technologies, quality control, demand forecasting, inventory management, supply chain optimization, robotics, and process optimization.   

Advancements in the integration of AI, ML, and AR are facilitating transformative changes in manufacturing, driving increased productivity, cost reduction, and competitive advantages in the global market.  

The Rising Importance of Environmental Management in Manufacturing 

Another key takeaway from the event was the growing emphasis on sustainability within the manufacturing industry. The event shed light on the increasing importance of environmental management, reporting, and compliance as manufacturers strive to meet stringent environmental policies and targets.   

Attendees were treated to a demo of TenForce’s Environmental Management module, showcasing how organizations can effectively manage their environmental responsibilities and ensure regulatory compliance.   

A presentation by Michiel Scholberg from Enhesa further highlighted the integration of safety compliance intelligence with TenForce, emphasizing the significance of utilizing advanced tools and technologies in achieving sustainability goals.  

Digitalization, Scaling EHS, and Making the Most of Your Software  

The crucial role of digitalization in effectively managing EHSQ in the manufacturing industry was another key topic at this year’s Future is WOW. Elisa IndustrIQ delivered an insightful talk emphasizing that leveraging technology and software solutions can enhance EHSQ management, improve regulatory compliance, and drive sustainability in the manufacturing industry.  

Participants gained valuable insights into the process of scaling an EHSQ software solution across an organization, with a dedicated talk addressing the challenges and strategies involved. The event also featured a session dedicated to empowering TenForce customers to maximize the potential of their EHSQ software.   

Looking Ahead  

As The Future is WOW 2023 drew to a close, the need for continued collaboration, innovation, and responsible AI development was clear. The connections made at The Future is WOW 2023 will undoubtedly lead to exciting collaborations and future advancements in AI technology. Participants were encouraged to stay engaged and take an active role in shaping the future of AI. By leveraging the power of AI, we can anticipate remarkable breakthroughs that will reshape industries and improve our lives.  

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