Stepping it up with Digital Skills
Vidya Ranade, Director of Digital R&D and Sustainability at FrieslandCampina, will deliver the Masterclass AI in Operations, in which he will talk about how AI can be implemented in production sites and offices. At FrieslandCampina, he works on a broad range of topics in digital including digitization, automation, business intelligence, and advanced analytics. He believes that “while not everyone needs programming skills, it is still important for all to step up in digital to drive productivity and value.”
Vidya identifies numerous opportunities in automation and AI. Automating repetitive tasks, such as extracting, collecting and organizing data, can save time and make work more engaging for employees. This allows them to focus on more complex and rewarding tasks, thereby complementing their roles rather than replacing them. “When employees see the time saved through automation, they are more open to embracing digital changes.”
Automation and AI also address long-standing challenges in the industry. For instance, AI can adjust process parameters to maintain consistent product quality despite variations in raw materials. “This proactive approach ensures that the final product meets quality standards regardless of the quality of the raw materials. Additionally, AI helps preserve valuable knowledge as experienced employees retire. It can create training sessions, potentially using augmented reality, to quickly bring new employees up to speed.”
Predictive AI plays a crucial role in maintenance by predicting machine breakdowns, which are costly in terms of time and money. “By analysing data from past breakdowns, AI can predict and prevent future issues, allowing for scheduled maintenance and reducing unexpected downtime. Generative AI can further streamline the troubleshooting process by providing operators with all relevant information on a tablet, eliminating the need to walk to the document cabinet, and laboriously searching through relevant documents.”
Vidya notes that the rapid pace of AI development offers many possibilities for companies. “However, to fully benefit from these advancements, companies need to take proactive steps. The main challenge lies in how well people can adapt to new technologies. Companies that manage this transition quickly will have a competitive advantage. It is crucial to innovate while allowing time for people and processes to adapt and realize productivity gains. Effective change management and the adoption of new working methods will be essential in the coming years.”
Vidyadhar Ranade
Digital Director at FrieslandCampina