By Tom Still
MADISON, Wis. – If you want to know why some people fear the growth of artificial intelligence, just ask an AI Chatbot yourself. The answer is fast and honest … in a mechanical sort of way.
Job displacement and economic disruption, the potential for misuse, the possibility of AI becoming uncontrollable and the rise of a surveillance state were among the answers my inquiry produced. Of course, technophobia has been a recorded human trait since the days of the ancient Greeks, so perhaps there should be no surprise that something as powerful as AI would raise suspicions.
It’s just as important to keep an open mind about what AI can and will do to bolster the economy, generally and closer to home. Two recent reports help to explain why Wisconsin must continue to adapt.
The first was the “State of Smart Manufacturing Report: Life Sciences Edition” released in late June by Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation, which is the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation. One might argue Rockwell has a vested interest in championing the future of AI, but the study was based on input from 143 leaders from “life sciences manufacturers” in 15 major countries.
That manufacturing category includes companies that make products used in health care, such as diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, biotechnology products and pharmaceuticals. Wisconsin has its share of such companies.
The survey found that 95% are using or evaluating smart technology today. Most companies use AI to improve quality (53%), streamline operations (50%) and bolster cybersecurity (48%). Nearly half are turning to AI and automation to support their workforce, in part because more than a quarter of respondents said finding skilled workers is their biggest barrier to growth.
“… AI is becoming indispensable to modern life sciences manufacturing – not just to optimize efficiency, but to strengthen product quality, secure critical infrastructure, and upskill the workforce,” Rockwell vice president Matt Weaver said.
A second report, “Seize the AI Advantage,” was published by the Wisconsin Center Manufacturing and Productivity. It urged state manufacturers to embrace AI or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing global economy.
“This isn’t about someday. This is about today,” said Buckley Brinkman, WCMP’s executive director. “AI is no longer optional. It’s the difference between thriving and becoming obsolete. Wisconsin manufacturers can lead the way.”
The report was based on four years of interviews with more than 400 manufacturing leaders and five annual regional focus groups. It urged three steps manufacturers can take right away:
- Empower an internal AI champion. “Someone curious, credible, and action oriented.”
- Start small with quick wins by using AI for tasks such as customer email triage, human resources chatbots and predictive maintenance.
- Balance short-term experiments with a long-term roadmap for integration.
The report, which is a supplement to WCMP’s annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, also noted that companies need not forge ahead alone. It highlighted a growing state network of support for AI adoption, including partnerships with Microsoft’s AI Co-Innovation Lab for Manufacturing, UW-Stout’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and AI (CAM-AI), and the state’s technical colleges.
“We’re seeing real momentum,” Brinkman noted, “but it’s not fast enough. The rest of the world isn’t waiting and neither should we.”
It’s only natural for many people to look upon artificial intelligence with suspicion, but it’s also important to acknowledge possible benefits – better health care, greater organizational efficiency, and solutions to big problems where answers can be elusive.
Striking such a balance hasn’t escaped the attention of lawmakers in Wisconsin and at the federal level. The Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee on the Regulation of AI issued a report in February, with a focus on data privacy, and the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence released ideas in 2024 for leveraging AI for economic growth while addressing possible disruptions.
Healthy skepticism is in order when it comes to AI, but those who ignore its reality do so at their own risk.
Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. tstill@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com.
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