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data, ensuring its coherence, flow, and security, especially in a post-quantum world. However, speakers also note the importance of people – the human aspect of digital transformation remains a critical element. As a speaker noted‘ cultural change is really key’.
A foundation built on data quality and trust
The relationship between data and AI was a major talking point. In many leading organizations, AI and data are treated together, with AI being characterized as the method for interpreting data and drawing insight. However, this hinges entirely on data quality. The stark warning from the experts: without sorting out your data strategy, your AI is essentially‘ garbage in, garbage out- on steroids’.
Solving this problem also requires a focus on governance, making sure the data is properly contextualized, managed and stored – it must be easily accessible and, in a useable format! As a speaker noted, manufacturing is often manual and paper based, and companies have siloed data stored in multiple places.‘ We are drowning in documents but starving for insight.’ The good news is that frontier firms- those who embrace AI and automation- are twice as likely to be thriving as their peers.
The right data strategy can turn data into value. BMW Group shared a success story- thanks to its digital twin plant platform, it caught a supplier hardware fault that would have been missed because they were streaming production quality data to a central place. BAT highlighted the importance of Master Data Management( MDM) to establish a single source of truth. Technology providers further stressed that strong document management equals useful AI, with one noting their system allows for audit readiness to be measured in minutes, not weeks, thanks to automated, AI-driven tagging of documents.
Delegate and Speaker Voices
Hearing directly from those on the factory floor provided some of the day’ s most powerful moments.
Manufacturing delegate insights:
“ Expertly run, informative networking event!” Craig Bennett, Tate & Lyle Sugars
“ Very insightful, good user cases, knowledgeable and skilled speakers.” Mark Evans, McLaren Automotive
“ It was good exposure to different data / AI solutions.” David Jun, Edwards, Part of the Atlas Copco Group
Speaker quotes on sector-specific challenges:
• Defense / Engineering:“ Understanding a data strategy in the context of needing to be secure in a postquantum world is absolutely critical.”
• Manufacturing:“ The stumbling blocks have been more the people to manage and deploy new technology... The old technology does not talk to the new shiny toy.”
• Consumer Goods / Retail:“ We are drowning in documents but starving for insight.”
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