How AI can make operations smarter, more sustainable

“Marrying human intelligence with computer intelligence can help companies work more efficiently and sustainably,” said Spencer Cramer, founder and chief executive officer of ei³.

The talk, “Using AI for Smart and Sustainable Operations,” was one of several forward-looking presentations at the Pack to the Future stage at the Pack Expo convention in Las Vegas.

Addressing manufacturing's workforce challenge

Manufacturers continue to struggle to find enough workers, and Mr. Cramer quoted a recent Deloitte report that said by 2028, manufacturing will be short more than 2 million jobs.

Artificial intelligence can be a tool to help companies:

• Create operational efficiencies
• Bridge the knowledge gap
• Capture expertise from veteran workers
• Support new employees as they learn

In fact, machines can aggregate the knowledge of machine operators across the country to create a powerful tool for manufacturers.

"When we talk about AI, what we're not talking about is replacing jobs with computers. That's not what this is about. It's really about how can we use technology to create benefits that enable us to produce more and produce more with less."

Spencer Cramer, CEO and founder of ei³

From predictive maintenance to sustainability benefits

Mr. Cramer discussed a few practical applications for this technology, including a plastic pallet manufacturer that sought ei³'s help with predictive maintenance tasks.

The company implemented a solution that delivered multiple benefits:

1. Used sensor measurements to monitor critical equipment
2. Predicted when machines were likely to experience downtime
3. Discovered an unexpected sustainability opportunity

The surprising discovery? In the hours leading up to a breakdown, the machine used much more energy.

The company was able to not only know when to replace parts before they malfunctioned, it learned it could save energy by fixing the machine as soon as a problem is detected.

"You can use these tools to help make your operation more sustainable," Mr. Cramer said. "Connected AI is a very powerful tool."

This article was originally published in BAKING BUSINESS.