The emergence and growth of intelligent manufacturing (IM)—driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, robotics, and cyber-physical systems—has been rapidly accelerating in recent years. Academic institutions are expanding efforts through new initiatives like seed grants, AI-integrated smart manufacturing curricula, and interdisciplinary research. Industry and government agencies are aligning to implement intelligent manufacturing methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, quality, and innovation. This panel discusses how Industry, Academia, and Government Agencies are scaling their efforts to implement intelligent manufacturing solutions, with AI playing an increasingly critical but integrated role in this transformation.

What is discussed:

• IM Implementation in Industry: Learn how intelligent manufacturing technologies, including AI, are being implemented in large corporations and small to medium manufacturers.
• What are the prerequisites? What are the key Dos and Don’ts before introducing intelligent manufacturing systems, including AI-driven tools, in industrial environments?
• Government agency's roles: How are government agencies helping and coordinating these new challenges? How are academic researchers and industry partners working together toward successful AI implementation in the industry?
• Role of students: What are companies seeking in students and interns regarding AI knowledge, data skills, and systems thinking needed for intelligent manufacturing careers?

Who Should Attend: This panel is ideal for industry professionals, academic researchers, and students interested in intelligent manufacturing systems, AI applications in industry, and workforce development.

Meet the Experts: Our panel includes leaders from global corporations, agile SMEs, and government agencies actively involved in digital and intelligent manufacturing innovation.

• Doug Rhoda, Founder, Chairman of Vectis Automation
• Trisha Fish, Rapta Inc., VP of Strategy and Digital Transformation, AI-Enabled Quality Assurance & Qualification Digital Transformation Expert
• Aman Chadha, Head of a Gen AI team of scientists and managers at Amazon Web Services
• Vinija Jain, Meta, Machine Learning Engineer
• Dr. Kahkashan Afrin, Ceribell, Senior Product Manager, AI product

Moderators:

• Dr. Sekhar Rakurty, Research and Development Manager at The M. K. Morse Company
• Dr. Ala Qattawi, Associate Professor at The University of Toledo

Organizers:

• Dr. Barbara Linke, Professor at University of California, Davis
• Dr. Frank Pfefferkorn, Professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Dr. Yujie Chen, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Lead at Caterpillar Inc.
• Dr. Andrew Henderson, President/CEO at Hendtech LLC.
• Dr. Ala Qattawi, Associate Professor at The University of Toledo
• Dr. Sekhar Rakurty, Research and Development Manager at The M. K. Morse Company