The Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium is a membership-based organization connecting manufacturers, academia and government institutions at the university’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility in Midtown Atlanta. Members have unique opportunities to conduct research, develop and pilot new manufacturing systems and collaborate with students and other consortium members.
Members of the consortium’s board, announced earlier this month, include:
Additionally, the board has formed an industry membership committee led by:
Consortium board members assist in fostering business relationships among the organization’s members, develop short- and long-term plans to align projects with emerging industry needs, work to make connections across industries, and advocate for consortium members to ensure the organization is meeting their needs and aligning with industry trends.
“The addition of these board members to the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium cements this organization as a premier industry-academic partnership,” said Steven Ferguson, managing director of Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM). Georgia AIM, a 4-year, $65 million federal grant program, serves as a catalyst for the consortium.
The grant is supporting an expansion of the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility into a fully formed smart manufacturing space. As the facility expands to include new manufacturing technologies, members of the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium will be able to access and test these systems for their own manufacturing needs.
“This is an exciting time at the facility. The expansion of the manufacturing space allows us to expand research into new projects that incorporate artificial intelligence and smart technologies,” added Ferguson. “And, with our consortium board members in place, it increases our ability to serve the manufacturing community.”
Launched in 2023, the Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium aims to develop and deploy manufacturing technologies and workforce development opportunities. Consortium members gain the opportunity to accelerate product development, adopt and deploy industry 4.0 technologies, train the future workforce ad become global leaders using i4.0 solutions.
For more information on memberships, research opportunities, and the smart technologies planned for Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facilities, visit ampf.research.gatech.edu or contact Ferguson at sferguson@gatech.edu.
]]>But what if it could also help people live more efficiently — that is, more sustainably, with less waste?
It’s a concept that often runs through the mind of Iesha Baldwin, the inaugural Georgia AIM Fellow with the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN) at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. Born out of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, the Georgia AIM (Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing) project works with PIN fellows to advance the project's mission of equitably developing and deploying talent and innovation in AI for manufacturing throughout the state of Georgia.
When she accepted the PIN Fellowship for 2023, she saw an opportunity to learn more about the nexus of artificial intelligence, manufacturing, waste, and education. With a background in environmental studies and science, Baldwin studied methods for waste reduction, environmental protection, and science education.
“I took an interest in AI technology because I wanted to learn how it can be harnessed to solve the waste problem and create better science education opportunities for K-12 and higher education students,” said Baldwin.
This type of unique problem-solving is what defines the PIN Fellowship programs. Every year, a cohort of recent college graduates is selected, and each is paired with an industry that aligns with their expertise and career goals — specifically, cleantech, AI manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, and cybersecurity/information technology. Fellowships are one year, with fellows spending six months with a private company and then six months with a public organization.
Through the experience, fellows expand their professional network and drive connections between the public and private sectors. They also use the opportunity to work on special projects that involve using new technologies in their area of interest.
With a focus on artificial intelligence in manufacturing, Baldwin led an inventory management project at the Georgia manufacturer Freudenberg-NOK, where the objective was to create an inventory management system that reduced manufacturing downtime and, as a result, increased efficiency, and reduced waste.
She also worked in several capacities at Georgia Tech: supporting K-12 outreach programs at the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, assisting with energy research at the Marcus Nanotechnology Research Center, and auditing the infamous mechanical engineering course ME2110 to improve her design thinking and engineering skills.
“Learning about artificial intelligence is a process, and the knowledge gained was worth the academic adventure,” she said. “Because of the wonderful support at Georgia Tech, Freudenberg NOK, PIN, and Georgia AIM, I feel confident about connecting environmental sustainability and technology in a way that makes communities more resilient and sustainable.”
Since leaving the PIN Fellowship, Baldwin connected her love for education, science, and environmental sustainability through her new role as the inaugural sustainability coordinator for Spelman College, her alma mater. In this role, she is responsible for supporting campus sustainability initiatives.
]]>Among those recognized is Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) Executive Director Thomas Kurfess, who was named Regents' Professor. The highest distinction awarded by the USG, Regents' distinctions recognize faculty members for academic, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence.
Regents’ Professor, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control
Kurfess researches advanced manufacturing systems, designing, developing, and optimizing new approaches for complex production systems. He helps lead a $65 million effort to use artificial intelligence in manufacturing and transform Georgia’s industrial economy. The Georgia AI Manufacturing (GA-AIM) Technology Corridor is creating and deploying new AI innovations across all manufacturing sectors while training the necessary talent and workforce.
In addition to his role as executive director of GTMI, Kurfess is the 2023-24 president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
He served as chief manufacturing officer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 2019 to 2021, overseeing strategic planning in advanced manufacturing. Kurfess also previously led the advanced manufacturing team at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama administration from 2012 to 2013.
Kurfess is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, ASME, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
]]>Carter was recently named the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s chair of the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee, a group that concerns itself primarily with contamination of soil, air, noise, and water, as well as emergency environmental response, whether physical or cybersecurity.
Because AMPF’s focus dovetails with subcommittee interests, the facility was a fitting stop for Carter, who was welcomed for an afternoon tour and series of live demonstrations. Programs within Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute — specifically the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) and Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) — were well represented.
“Innovation is extremely important,” Carter said during his April 1 visit. “In order to handle some of our problems, we’ve got to have adaptation, mitigation, and innovation. I’ve always said that the greatest innovators, the greatest scientists in the world, are right here in the United States. I’m so proud of Georgia Tech and what they do for our state and for our nation.”
Carter’s AMPF visit began with an introduction by Thomas Kurfess, Regents' Professor and HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute; Steven Ferguson, principal research scientist and managing director at Georgia AIM; research engineer Kyle Saleeby; and Donna Ennis, the Enterprise Innovation Institute’s director of community engagement and program development, and co-director of Georgia AIM.
Ennis provided an overview of Georgia AIM, while Ferguson spoke on the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium and Kurfess detailed the AMPF origin story, before introducing four live demonstrations.
The first of these featured Chuck Easley, Professor of the Practice in the Scheller College of Business, who elaborated on supply chain issues. Afterward, Alan Burl of EPICS: Enhanced Preparation for Intelligent Cybermanufacturing Systems and mechanical engineer Melissa Foley led a brief information session on hybrid turbine blade repair.
Finally, GaMEP project manager Michael Barker expounded on GaMEP’s cybersecurity services, and Deryk Stoops of Central Georgia Technical College detailed the Georgia AIM-sponsored AI robotics training program at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center, which offers training and assistance to those making the transition from military to civilian life.
The topic of artificial intelligence, in all its subtlety and nuance, was of particular interest to Carter.
“AI is the buzz in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Whether it be healthcare, energy, [or] science, we on the Energy and Commerce Committee look at it from a sense [that there’s] a very delicate balance, and we understand the responsibility. But we want to try to benefit from this as much as we can.”
“I heard something today I haven’t heard before," Carter continued, "and that is instead of calling it artificial intelligence, we refer to it as ‘augmented intelligence.’ I think that’s a great term, and certainly something I’m going to take back to Washington with me.”
“It was a pleasure to host Rep. Carter for a firsthand look at AMPF," shared Ennis, "which is uniquely positioned to offer businesses the opportunity to collaborate with Georgia Tech researchers and students and to hear about Georgia AIM.
“At Georgia AIM, we’re committed to making the state a leader in artificial intelligence-assisted manufacturing, and we’re grateful for Congressman Carter’s interest and support of our efforts."
]]>
He also serves as the chief technology officer at the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. He served as the chief manufacturing officer and founding director for the manufacturing science division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 2019 to 2021. He served as the assistant director for advanced manufacturing at the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President of the United States of America in 2012 and 2013, coordinating advanced manufacturing research and development.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (news release) >>
The DoN S&T Board is a discretionary federal advisory committee that provides independent recommendations on matters relating to the Department of the Navy's scientific, technical, manufacturing, acquisition, logistics, medicine, and business management functions. These matters include, but are not limited to, the pressing and complex scientific and technological problems facing the Department of Defense in such areas as research, engineering, organizational structure and process, business and functional concepts, and manufacturing. The board will help to identify new technologies and new applications of technology in those areas to strengthen national security. Membership on the board consists of private and public leaders, with a diversity of background, experience, and thought in support of the DoN S&T Board mission.
Kurfess’ appointment to the board was confirmed by the secretary of defense in August.
]]>That’s why faculty at Georgia Institute of Technology are partnering with the Technical College System of Georgia to provide TCSG students with experience and training in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The collaboration between the institutions will bring students to Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility for internships and apprenticeships that prepare them for careers using advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics, AI and metals 3-D printers.
With this experience, students will help pave the way for advancing Georgia’s manufacturing economy.
“We are establishing workforce training programs that are at the frontier of technology. Students will train on the latest equipment and software and then be ready to enter companies as these new technologies are adopted instead of the traditional mode of waiting for the technology to arrive, and then training the workforce,” said Aaron Stebner, the Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing.
Stebner initiated the workforce program through the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia-AIM) project, a collection of $65 million in federal grants aimed at enhancing Georgia’s AI manufacturing technology and workforce. “These jobs are coming, and we want the workforce to be ready at the same time the need arises.”
Faculty and students from Georgia Tech and TCSG recently met to discuss details and next steps for the program. This included discussing formats that would work for students, and how the opportunities at the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility dovetailed with training students receive from their technical college programs.
The larger goal, said Stebner, is to leverage the developing technologies at the manufacturing facility to give TCSG students in-depth experience with a new technology before starting their own careers. For example, technical college students often have access to tooling and cutting machines as part of their training. But at Georgia Tech’s manufacturing facility, these machines are augmented with robotics or “digital twins”—advanced computer models that can be used to increase performance efficiencies and maintenance schedules of the machines.
By gaining experience with these new technologies, students can enter the workforce better prepared to take on advanced manufacturing solutions. This also translates to a higher-skilled workforce and better-paying jobs, added Stebner.
To drive this message home, the meeting also included several representatives from manufacturers who expressed a need for this kind of training. “We’re always looking for people who are willing to work with their hands,” said Chuck Boyles, president of Factory Automation Systems, a Georgia-based robotics company. “We’re always looking for good technical talent.”
The program can help bridge a “middle ground” between technical college training and the research and development taking place at Georgia Tech, said Steven Sheffield, senior assistant director of research at the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility.
“We have a lot of applications for these skills, like machine operators. But we want to advance that to, for example, robotic operators,” said Sheffield, who spoke with the 25 students in attendance about what they would like to get out of the program. “So, they would be more qualified to do other things as well and have a deeper understanding. And when we have employers who say they are interested in a latest technology, we can partner with them to provide that training.”
The students were receptive, noticing the robotics and artificial intelligence-infused technology during a tour of the facility. “I’ve seen a lot of equipment out there that I’ve never seen before,” said Javaski Dewberry, a Georgia Northwest Technical College student studying machining who also works at a manufacturing facility. “It would be a real good experience for me to see how it works.”
Other students were studying mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics and industrial systems. These programs and more could find a place in the program, said Scott McWhorter, interim executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium. The consortium, which is based at the manufacturing facility, works to connect industry, academia and government to advance manufacturing technologies.
The next steps, he added, include ironing out opportunities that work with students’ schedules and training for TCSG faculty on the emerging technologies.
“We’re spending the next few months getting the program outlined, getting things formalized and working with instructors,” he said. “So, we’re working right now to collect a little more feedback to right-size the program and move forward from there.”
Story by: Kristen Morales, Georgia Tech
]]>In my time in industry, I’ve seen high-stakes decisions unfold under tight timelines. The rigor is there: financial models, market analysis, legal due diligence. But the same pressure that brings focus often narrows the field of vision. Once the strategic goal is clear, the push becomes “get the recommendation ready” or “get the deal done.” Often, the team disbands before the ripple effects have even begun to appear.
In fact, studies of managerial behavior find that decision-makers often prioritize short-term outcomes over long-term implications, making it easy to overlook those downstream impacts.
We rarely paused to ask:
Not asking these questions isn’t negligence. It’s often a result of how we structure decision processes: focused, time-bound, and oriented toward closure.
Let's make this real. I've seen:
In each of these, the first-order decision was sound. But the downstream effects caught teams off guard, requiring backtracking, remediation, and even reputational repair.
Even recently, retailers trying to fix 2021 product shortages by ordering more stock found themselves “overwhelmed with inventory” in 2022 when demand eased—a textbook second-order surprise. Likewise, logistics executives admitted they “didn’t anticipate” that 2020’s e-commerce boom would spark a warehouse labor crunch—a side effect that underscores how easily ripple effects can catch us off guard.
Let’s be honest. Most leaders are moving fast. The idea of adding more process—or imagining abstract future problems—can feel like a luxury. Typical objections sound like:
But here’s the catch: in a complex system like a global supply chain or a tightly coupled stakeholder network, second-order effects are not edge cases—they're part of the landscape.
In fact, recent research in supply chain management finds that such second-order effects are likely ubiquitous and must be anticipated rather than ignored. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. It just delays the pain—and multiplies the cost.
These second-order thinking practices are especially useful in supply chain decisions where complexity and interdependencies are high. Think about:
Each of these decisions may seem straightforward at first glance, but often carry ripple effects that only surface months later—making this kind of foresight not just useful, but essential.
To embed this thinking into your organization’s DNA, you don’t need to launch a task force. You need lightweight, repeatable tools that shift how teams think. Here are a few that punch above their weight:
The real unlock comes when we shift the definition of a successful decision. It’s not just about getting a green light. It’s about ensuring the decision holds up over time—operationally, culturally, and reputationally.
To institutionalize this mindset:
"Strategic foresight is not about predicting everything. It's about avoiding the predictable surprises.”
This isn't just operational wisdom—it's grounded in thoughtful literature:
Sometimes the last question is the best one. The more complex our systems become, the more important it is to keep asking until we find what we didn’t know we were missing.
As supply chains become more interconnected and policy environments more volatile, decision quality will increasingly depend on ripple-awareness. You don’t need perfect foresight. But you do need a culture that pauses—briefly—to ask: what might happen next?
Those few extra minutes may be the difference between a great decision—and a regrettable one.
]]>The Army Research Office awarded Georgia Tech and its partners $20 million to develop scalable, efficient methods for transforming aluminum into hydrogen energy. The project could lead to a new, low-cost, clean, and efficient energy source powered by discarded materials.
Aaron Stebner, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, will oversee the multi-year effort at Georgia Tech together with Scott McWhorter, lead for Federal Initiatives at the Strategic Energy Institute.
In addition to several team members from Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the project includes researchers from Fort Valley State University, the 21st Century Partnership, MatSys, and Drexel University.
“Aluminum already reacts with water — even wastewater and floodwater — to create hydrogen gas, power, and thermal energy,” McWhorter said. “If aluminum can be efficiently upcycled into stored energy, it could be a game-changer.”
The team’s goal is to experiment with aluminum’s material properties so it can be inexpensively manufactured to create a highly effective reaction that produces low-cost, clean hydrogen.
“Having this ability would allow military bases to be less dependent on the use of a foreign country’s electrical grids,” said Stebner, who is also co-director of Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and faculty at the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute.
Manufacturing Aluminum
Several years ago, the Army Research Lab discovered and patented the basic technology for recycling aluminum to produce hydrogen gas. However, current manufacturing methods require too much energy for the amount of hydrogen energy produced.
To make the technology viable and effective, Stebner and his colleagues will research alternate manufacturing processes and then develop automated methods for safely producing and storing stable aluminum. They also plan to optimize these processes using digital twin technologies.
Currently, manufacturers use large machines to grind up and tumble the aluminum in very controlled environments, because stray aluminum powder can be explosive. These methods are very costly.
Stebner and the team are looking into small, modular technologies that could allow for convenient, onsite energy generation. According to Stebner, they are interested in determining how these smaller machines could be so efficient that they could be powered using solar panels.
Stebner envisions that a field of solar panels could power the aluminum-processing modules — the aluminum recycling could be done while the sun shines and produce power 24/7.
Sustainable Impact
Once they have developed the manufacturing techniques and processes, the team plans to test their efficacy by generating power for rural Georgia communities. Success here would prove the technology could be viable for military deployments and other off-grid scenarios.
“The Deep South — especially middle and southern Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana — often has enormous energy disruptions during hurricanes or power outages due to flooding and severe rains,” Stebner said. “Manufacturers can be hesitant to build big plants there, because the grids aren’t as stable. This same technology that the Army plans to use for remote military bases could be a game-changer in rural Georgia.”
If power is unexpectedly cut in those areas, floodwater could then be used to make hydrogen gas. While hydrogen has not yet had its day in the sun, it has great potential as an alternative to fossil fuels, Stebner says.
“From a sustainability perspective, any time you can take something that’s already waste — like scrap aluminum and wastewater — and turn it into a high-value product that can be used to power communities, that is a huge win.”
Funding: Army Research Office
]]>AI is moving beyond forecasting and analytics into autonomous decision-making. AI agents can rapidly process complex scenarios—such as supply disruptions—and generate optimal responses in real time. This shift reduces reliance on manual problem-solving and enables organizations to respond faster and with greater accuracy. These AI-driven systems also make insights more accessible, allowing non-technical professionals to interact with advanced analytics in natural language.
Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute is offering education in Generative AI for supply chain, helping professionals understand and apply these tools effectively. The key takeaway? AI isn’t just for data scientists—it’s becoming essential for all supply chain professionals. Investing in AI literacy and decision intelligence training will be critical to staying relevant in the field.
Automation in warehouses is no longer experimental—it’s here and delivering results. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are replacing traditional automation solutions, offering greater flexibility and adaptability. Unlike AGVs, which rely on fixed paths, AMRs navigate dynamically using AI and real-time mapping, making them well-suited for evolving warehouse environments.
Companies deploying AMRs report increased throughput, reduced labor costs, and improved safety. These robots optimize workflows, assist human workers, and enable 24/7 operations. Georgia Tech researchers are developing human-collaborative robotics, reinforcing that the future is about augmenting—not replacing—workers. Supply chain professionals should focus on developing skills in automation management and AI-driven operations. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into workflows will be a key differentiator.
AI and automation depend on high-quality, well-integrated data, yet many organizations struggle with fragmented systems and poor data governance. Industry surveys consistently highlight that supply chain leaders cite data silos and quality issues as top barriers to digital transformation. Without a strong data foundation, even the best AI models and automation solutions will fail to deliver their full potential.
Modern supply chain visibility platforms and AI-powered analytics tools are helping companies consolidate data for better decision-making. Georgia Tech researchers are advancing digital twin models that simulate supply chain networks, but these rely on robust data integration. For professionals, this underscores the need to develop data literacy and analytical skills. Those who can navigate, interpret, and leverage data effectively will be indispensable in AI-powered supply chains.
Emerging technologies in supply chain—AI, automation, data analytics, and logistics AI—are no longer futuristic concepts. They are delivering tangible benefits now, and the gap between early adopters and laggards is widening. If these innovations are not on your radar, you need to take action.
The future of supply chain management is being reshaped by these technologies, and those who prepare now will define the next era of supply chain excellence. The question is no longer if these tools will impact the industry—it’s how quickly you can learn to use them to your advantage.
]]>First, here is an update on the scale of international trade and its role within the US economy. I’ll use official trade statistics provided by the US Census Bureau. If we look at the trade of physical goods which is the first thing that most people think about when it comes to trade, the US imported US$3.112 trillion worth of goods in FY2023. That is simply a lot of stuff. Note that imported goods can be finished products that are distributed (eventually) through various retail channels to end consumers. But they can also be various inputs to production: supplies, components, or work-in-progress inventory that feeds US manufacturing enterprises. A very good example along these lines is Canadian heavy crude oil, shipped to US petroleum refineries as the key input to the production of refined petrochemicals like gasoline, jet fuel, and other products. You can read elsewhere why the US currently imports heavy crude from Canada when it (already) produces more crude oil than it consumes each year and is thus (already) a net exporter.
Most US consumers understand that large parts of our economy rely on imported goods. Fewer might think about the sheer scale of the US goods export economy. Looking again at FY2023, the US exported US$2.051 trillion worth of goods (includng some of that aforementioned US-drilled crude oil). Wow, again, that is a lot of stuff. But it is true that the balance of trade here currently favors imports over exports. Since we import more goods value than we export, we ran a goods trade deficit with the rest of the world of US$1.061 trillion in FY2023.
A large part of the US economy today is the provision of services and not goods. There are all sorts of services: food service, financial services, educational services, transportation services, consulting services, and so on. And the US does trade in services as well, both importing services from foreign providers while exporting services to foreign customers. In fact, the US ran a trade surplus in services of US$288 billion which reduced the overall net trade deficit to US$773 billion in FY2023.
Now let’s discuss tariffs for a bit, and let’s consider duties on imported goods. If the US places a 10% tariff on a bundle of goods (perhaps a specific category of goods from a specific set of countries), then importers of those goods must pay a customs duty on the declared goods before they can be moved into the US (so-called customs-clearing). As many have noted already, these importers-of-record are firms doing business in the US (or individuals) that have arranged for the importation. Examples of such importers include retailers like Walmart and producers like Ford and ExxonMobil. Customs duties collected go into the US Treasury, similar to personal income taxes, social security and Medicare taxes, and corporate income taxes. However, the fraction of US government revenue raised by tariffs has been very small for a long period of time. In FY2023, the total collected customs duties by the US Treasury was about US$80 billion. In fact, FY2023 trade was down a bit from FY2022 when total goods imports were US$3.35 trillion and total collected duties were US$112 billion, or an average duty of about 3.3%.
So, how much revenue could be raised by new tariffs? Let’s imagine a strange world where new US import duties did not distort the economy in any way: the same value of goods is assumed to be imported even though both demand for those goods would likely adjust and the purchasing power of each US$ might increase. If the average duty were increased to 10%, the total revenue produced to the US Treasury in FY2023 would have been US$311 billion. How about a 25% average tariff? Well, of course, US$778 billion. For comparison, the US Treasury received US$2.43 trillion in personal and US$530 billion in corporate income taxes in FY2023, an amount nearly equivalent to a universal 100% tariff on the imported goods value basis for all imported goods. The tiny yellow sliver in the figure below shows how little total customs duty revenue has been collected over time and how little changed it has been compared to other revenue sources.
Like any other tax, a tariff can be useful to governments as they seek to design mechanisms to fund (important) government activities while distorting economic activity to favor or disfavor various groups of people, businesses, investors, industries, nations, regions etc. It’s also safe to say that, like any other tax, it can be difficult to determine how economic activity will be specifically distorted by any specific tariffs. In fact, it may be more difficult with tariffs for a few reasons. The first is that unlike a sales tax, a tariff on imported goods occurs upstream of the point-of-sale. Instead, tariffs create increases in supply chain costs for importers, and the impact of tariffs on consumers depends on what happens as a result of these cost increases.
First, it should be noted that some supply chain cost increases cannot be borne at all and can lead to the elimination of some products in the marketplace. Why? A cost increase can lead a producer to decide that a product cannot be profitably produced and marketed, and this is true even if a replacement supply source with a lower (tariff-inclusive) cost of supply can be identified. A retailer may make a similar decision for an imported product. If producers or retailers continue to keep a product in the market, they could decide to lower its quality in some way or to pass on portions of the cost increase directly to its customers. But the supply chain cost persists; perhaps a different supplier could be identified not subject to the tariff, but if that supplier were already providing the same input at the same quality for a lower price they would be used already. Since profitability is likely to be impacted, owners and investors as well as employees of the importer will also likely to be impacted. These interactions are all naturally somewhat complex and the outcome is difficult to predict.
I’ll finish with a thought. If a government wishes to use new tariffs to yield a political outcome beyond simply raising revenue, they will likely need to be designed to produce a significant (and noticeable) distortion to some portion of the economy. If the distortion is mild, no change of behavior seems likely to occur. It seems as if the US is about to attempt some new experimentation with tariffs to both influence the behavior of trade partner nations and to create a significant government revenue source. We will likely get to see firsthand what kind of economic distortion they induce.
]]>“It’s not just about creating jobs, it’s about filling them,” says Tom Kurfess, Regents’ Professor in mechanical engineering and executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI). “To do that, we need to show students how exciting and innovative manufacturing can be. Manufacturing has really changed over the past few years. Today, going from an idea to a physical part is much easier to do. It is fun and exciting to bring ideas to life and to actually hold the results in your hands.”
GTMI is working to reignite student interest in the art and science of making through its new K–12 initiative: the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (AMP) Program. Modeled after Georgia Tech’s Rural CS Initiative, AMP empowers schools with faculty expertise, cutting-edge equipment, and a hands-on curriculum to give students early exposure to the tools, technologies, and creativity behind modern manufacturing while building a pipeline of future talent ready to thrive in high-tech careers.
Funded by the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC), AMP is kicking off in three school districts this fall — Decatur County, Thomas County, and the city of Thomasville — with plans to expand to additional schools in the spring of 2026. The program will start by engaging more than 200 students through hands-on learning, virtual instruction, and in-person lab experiences led by Georgia Tech researchers and faculty.
“Here in Southwest Georgia, we believe that opportunities like this are vital for integrated learning in schools and for growing our future workforce,” says Beka Shiver, economic development and transportation planner for SWGRC. “Workforce development and K-12 integration are at the heart of our Southwest Georgia Ecosystem Building Project, and we are so pleased to be able to provide funding for this program.”
The launch of the AMP Program is centered around Design, Build, Race, a course putting a modern spin on the classic pinewood derby. Students will use digital design, 3D printing, and machining to build and race custom cars, while also learning how to collect and analyze performance data to improve their designs and predict outcomes. The course blends engineering with data science, sparking curiosity and showing students how modern manufacturing is powered by both technical skills and smart data.
“This program delivers real-world industry experience to students while strengthening the talent pipeline that drives innovation, competitiveness, and resilience in advanced manufacturing”, says Steven Ferguson, interim director of operations at GTMI and one of the project’s leaders. “After more than 20 years of driving education and workforce development innovation, I’m more energized than ever to help launch the AMP program to open doors for students and advance U.S. manufacturing leadership.”
Before it evolved into the AMP Program, Design, Build, Race was a course developed by GTMI research engineer Kyle Saleeby in 2023. Originating in GTMI’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AMPF), the course was designed to introduce Morehouse and Georgia Tech students to the possibilities of modern manufacturing through digital design, 3D printing, machining, and competitive creativity.
“Even after the first week, it was powerful to watch students discover how exciting it is to design and manufacture a competition-ready car in a matter of hours,” said Saleeby. “That’s when I knew we were onto something special.”
Saleeby teamed up with Ferguson to transform the course into a broader initiative. The duo engaged colleagues from STEM@GTRI and secured funding from SWGRC to modify the curriculum and scale the course for a high school audience.
“We are thrilled that we have been able to take the lessons learned during the development of the Rural Computer Science Initiative and expand opportunities for students in Southwest Georgia,” says Sean Mulvanity, a senior research associate in the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Mulvanity is one of the founders of the initiative and has been a key contributor to the AMP Program. “We hope this program can grow and expose students across the state to the field of advanced manufacturing.”
Though granted by the SWGRC, funds for the program were provided by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, a statewide initiative founded by GTMI and Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute to advance AI-driven manufacturing.
To bring AMP into classrooms, Southern Regional Technical College helped set up labs and provide technical support, ensuring schools were ready to launch.
“At all levels, the community has rallied around this program,” says Saleeby. “Providing students with a unique experience learning advanced manufacturing technologies will open countless career opportunities. I cannot wait to see where they go.”
]]>Shreyes Melkote, the Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professor for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, will serve as interim chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering beginning May 15.
He will assume the temporary role after Devesh Ranjan departs Georgia Tech to become dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“I am deeply appreciative of Shreyes’ willingness to step into this role during our search process," said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair. "This appointment reflects his exceptional leadership on campus. Shreyes’ achievements and dedication to Georgia Tech make him the ideal person to guide us through this transition period, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration in this new capacity."
Melkote has been a Woodruff School faculty member since in 1995. His research focuses on subtractive and hybrid manufacturing, industrial robotics for manufacturing, and application of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods for automated manufacturing process planning.
He was awarded Georgia Tech’s outstanding achievement in research engagement and outreach award in 2024. The annual honor is presented by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research.
Melkote is the associate director for the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI), Georgia Tech's interdisciplinary research institute tackling the challenges facing manufacturers and helping to insure future global competitiveness. He also serves as executive director of the Novelis Innovation Hub.
“I am honored to serve the Woodruff School in an interim capacity. It is an opportunity to give back to the School and the Institute that have supported me in my professional growth during the past 30 years,” Melkote said. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff, and students until the next school chair is chosen to lead it.”
Melkote has published nearly 300 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals and conference proceedings. His honors include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) Milton C. Shaw Manufacturing Research Medal and the Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award. He also was awarded the Society of Manufacturing Engineer’s (SME) Gold Medal and Dell K. Allen Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award.
Melkote is an elected Fellow of ASME, SME, and CIRP, The International Academy for Production Engineering.
Members of the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) team from the Georgia Institute of Technology met with local partners, manufacturers, and business leaders in Thomasville last week to discuss how investments from the $65 million statewide federal grant can accelerate the transition to automation in manufacturing in South Georgia. The meeting was held at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC), one of the Georgia AIM partners.
“This grant is an investment in a better and brighter future for communities all across the state including Thomasville,” said Danyelle Larkin, educational outreach manager with the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) at Georgia Tech. “By harnessing the power of AI, we can open up new, better-paying manufacturing jobs while preparing workers and students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly high-tech world.”
The meeting highlighted one of the recent developments of the Georgia AIM project: A future lab at Southern Regional Technical College dedicated to manufacturing technology. CEISMC is providing instructional support and curricula, thanks to the program’s expertise in STEM education, while collaborations with other experts at Georgia Tech and the Southwest Georgia community are identifying new technologies and opportunities for jobs in the area.
At the meeting, Aaron Stebner, co-director of Georgia AIM and associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering, talked about the potential for AI to revitalize the economy in areas of the country that have struggled for decades.
“The reason a lot of the manufacturers are coming back and growing in the U.S. is because the automation and the AI creates a logistics model that makes it advantageous again to manufacture in the U.S. instead of overseas,” he said. Stebner also talked about how AI is automating many jobs “that humans just don’t want to do anymore and creates more space for the creative jobs that tend to create better internal motivation and higher pay.”
In addition to talking with local manufacturers and touring their facilities, Stebner participated in the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber Connects panel discussion “Scary Smart: How AI Can Drive Your Business” with Jason Jones, president/CEO of S&L Integrated and Haile McCollum, founder and creative director of Fountaine Maury. The panel was hosted by Katie Chastan of TiskTask, a local workforce development company that is a partner in the Georgia AIM project.
During the meeting, SRTC announced the creation of a new Precision Machining and Manufacturing Lab on its Thomasville campus with an anticipated opening in the fall of 2024. The lab will host two new programs, including Precision Machining & Manufacturing and Manufacturing Engineering Technology. The Georgia AIM grant provided $499,000 in funding for the lab, as well as staffing support.
“A lab for precision manufacturing at Southern Regional Technical College breathes innovation into Thomasville’s existing industry, fueling their growth and ensuring they stay at the cutting edge of technology and competitiveness,” said Shelley Zorn, executive director of the Thomasville Payroll Development Authority.
“The result is a stronger industry base and higher paying jobs for Thomas County citizens and the region,” Zorn said. “It is also a wonderful recruiting tool for new advanced manufacturing partners.”
This could lead to new jobs for the region that reflect the roles that AI automation can create.
“As we heard from the industries gathered at the table, there is a big need for predictive and prescriptive maintenance from our industries,” added Vic Burke, vice president of academic affairs at Southern Regional Technical College. "Our manufacturers are automating more processes, which means fewer low-paying assembly jobs and more higher paying technician jobs.”
--Randy Trammell, CEISMC Communications
Georgia AIM (Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing) was recently awarded the 'Tech for Good' award from the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state’s largest tech organization.
The accolade was presented at the annual TAG Technology Awards ceremony on Nov. 6 at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. The TAG Technology Awards promote inclusive technology throughout Georgia, and any state company, organization, or leader is eligible to apply.
Tech for Good, one of TAG’s five award categories, honors a program or project that uses technology to promote inclusiveness and equity by serving Georgia communities and individuals who are underrepresented in the tech space.
Georgia AIM is comprised of 16 projects across the state that connect smart technology to manufacturing through K-12 education, workforce development, and manufacturer outreach. The federally funded program is a collaborative project administered through Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute.
TAG is a Georgia AIM partner and provides workforce development programs that train people and assist them in making successful transitions into tech careers.
Donna Ennis, Georgia AIM’s co-director, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
“Georgia AIM’s mission is to equitably develop and deploy talent and innovation for AI in manufacturing, and the Tech for Good Award reinforces our focus on revolutionizing the manufacturing economy for Georgia and the entire country,” Ennis said in her acceptance speech.
She cited the organization’s many coalition members across the state: the Technical College System of Georgia; Spelman College; the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio team at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and the University of Georgia; the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission; the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center; and TAG and Georgia AIM’s partners in the Middle Georgia Innovation corridor, including 21st Century Partnership and the Houston Development Authority.
Ennis also acknowledged the U.S. Economic Development Administration for funding the project and helping to bring it to fruition. “But most of all,” she said, “I want to thank our manufacturers and communities across Georgia who are at the forefront of creating a new economy through AI in manufacturing. It is a privilege to assist you on this journey of technology and discovery.”
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“As researchers develop new materials, one of the key aspects we’re missing is how to make them at scale. This is a major oversight because if we can’t make them at scale, we can’t transition from basic research to commercialization,” said Tequila Harris, a professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “With this new facility, we can prove our discoveries beyond lab-scale studies — and can go from materials innovation to product development at scale.”
Led by Harris, the new facility is the result of a partnership between the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute(GTMI), the Strategic Energy Institute, and the Woodruff School. As a pilot facility, it will serve as a testbed for scaling up manufacturing research open for Georgia Tech researchers as well as academic, government, and industry partners around the world.
“The larger vision I see at Georgia Tech involves innovation in manufacturing for large-scale industries,” said Georgia Tech’s Interim Executive Vice President for Research Tim Lieuwen at the facility’s unveiling event on Sept. 19. “It’s crucial that we’re innovating in basic science and technology, but we also need to be innovating in large-scale manufacturing.”
Roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing transforms flexible rolls of substrate materials, such as paper, metal foils, and plastics, into more complex, transportable rolls upon coating the surface with one or more fluids, such as inks, suspensions, and solutions, which are subsequently dried or cured on the base substrate. Its high yield and efficiency make R2R an ideal method for the sustainable, large-scale production of components for solar cells, batteries, flexible electronics, and separations — all industries that have expanded in Georgia in recent years.
“As a state institution, we’re ultimately here to serve our state,” said Lieuwen, who is also Regents’ Professor and David S. Lewis Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. “We’re seeing Georgia emerge as the national leader in terms of recruiting corporate investments in this space and in industries that will be served by this facility.”
The R2R process is similar to the production of newspapers, where a large roll of blank paper goes through a series of rollers printing text and photos. “The roll-to-roll aspect is the process of using a specialized tool to force fluid onto a moving surface,” says Harris. It’s one of the fastest-growing methods for producing thin film materials — photovoltaics used in solar cells, transistors in flexible electronics, and micro-batteries, for example — at a large scale.
Harris’s group works to develop novel manufacturing tools, with a particular focus on understanding and improving the dynamics of thin film manufacturing to increase efficiency and minimize waste. Her group is particularly interested in slot die coating, an R2R technique where a liquid material is precisely deposited onto a substrate through a narrow slot. With the new pilot facility, researchers like Harris will be able to take their work to the next level.
“Slot die coating on a roll-to-roll can handle the broadest viscosity range of most coating methods. Therefore, you can process a lot of different materials very quickly and easily,” says Harris. “It’s one of the fastest-growing technologies in the U.S. — and currently, this is the most advanced modular pilot scale facility at an academic university in the United States.”
“Georgia Tech is way ahead of the curve in terms of our facilities,” says GTMI Executive Director and Regents’ Professor Thomas Kurfess. “This will grow our capability in the battery area, membranes, flexible electronics, and more to allow us to support the development of new technologies.”
“As technologies around cleantech continue to advance at an unprecedented pace, pilot manufacturing facilities provide a critical bridge between innovative benchtop research and commercial-scale production and manufacturing,” says Christine Conwell, interim executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute. “We are excited about the opportunities this R2R facility will provide to the Georgia Tech energy community and our industry partners.”
]]>SME is a nonprofit association committed to advancing widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and developing North America’s talent and capabilities. He was among seven 2023 SME International Honor Award winners are recognized for their significant contributions to manufacturing in the areas of manufacturing technologies, processes, technical writing, education, research and management, and service to SME. The 2023 SME International Awards Gala was held on June 5 at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan.
Melkote also serves as executive director of the Novelis Innovation Hub at Georgia Tech and as associate director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute. Melkote’s research focuses on the science and technology of manufacturing processes, industrial robotics for manufacturing, and data-driven methods for cyber manufacturing.
For over six decades, SME’s International Honor Awards have identified professionals whose bodies of work have led to critical breakthroughs and advancements in manufacturing technologies, processes, and education as well as honored members for their volunteerism.
“These seven professionals are among the most accomplished thought leaders in manufacturing, and I’m proud to acknowledge they also hold membership in SME,” said Bob Willig, executive director and CEO of SME. “Though their backgrounds are varied, all share a penchant for continuous improvement where status quo just doesn’t cut it.”
Melkote has published over 280 technical papers on these topics, has one U.S. patent and has successfully transitioned technology to industry. Melkote is a recipient of the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, the ASME Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award and several best paper awards. He served as president of SME's North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) from 2014-15, and as ASME Swanson fellow and assistant director for Technology at the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office at NIST from 2015-16. Melkote is a fellow of SME, ASME and CIRP and has been a SME member since 1994.
SME 2023 International Honor Award Recipients:
Industrial innovation policy can be defined as involving governmental interventions at the post-research stages (including development, prototyping, testing, demonstration, pilot production, production, and market creation) to enable scale-up and implementation of new technologies.
Meetings such as this one held at Georgia Tech attempt to develop an understanding of emerging U.S. and global industrial innovation policies and identify remaining gaps. Thomas Kurfess, executive director of GTMI and the HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control, are helping to strategize future manufacturing policies in the U.S.
“The Babbage team was enthusiastic to learn about all that we have happening in the U.S., Georgia and the Metro-Atlanta area,” said Kurfess. “Over the past several decades, we have been growing our manufacturing capabilities here and creating a substantial amount of high paying and high tech manufacturing jobs for a broad spectrum of our population. This has not only been wonderful for the State of Georgia, but also our efforts and successes have helped to boost the national economy and support national security.”
Forum participants examined regional industrial capabilities with a secondary focus on national industrial capabilities addressing both the innovation and industrial scale-up issues. Processes for moving from policy objective to implementation were reviewed including opportunities for experimentation, evaluation, and policy learning. Organizational structures across academia, government and think tanks as well as ecosystems and small-to-medium-sized enterprise engagement were analyzed. The group conducted an analysis of successful (and unsuccessful) industrial innovation policy interventions to identify effective practices and mechanisms in the southeast, Georgia, and the Atlanta area that ensure opportunities for a diverse set of workers, while fully engaging local communities. Such practices result in sustainable and equitable opportunities throughout the region.
“There's some pretty dramatic changes going on, in technology, in society, and indeed geopolitically,” said Sir Michael Gregory who attended the GTMI meeting. “And whereas a few years ago, industrial innovation policy was seen by some people not to be very relevant, now almost everybody thinks it matters.”
]]>The yearly event is led by Andrew Dugenske, director of the Factory Information Systems (FIS) Center and principal research engineer at Georgia Tech. Dugenske’s FIS Center focuses on advances in factory architectures, machine communication, cloud computing, edge devices, machine learning, artificial intelligence, overall equipment effectiveness, and cybersecurity. Over the past 25 years, the FIS Center has undertaken projects with dozens of companies on a wide array of technological topics.
This year, the symposium event featured 17 industry leaders as presenters. Presenters included: GTMI, Renishaw, AT&T, Siemens, Stephanini Group, Cirrus Link Solutions, Teradyne, Hive MQ and Mr. IIOT. Expert industry consultants also made presentations such as from Russ Waddell, who gave an entertaining, educational, and eye-opening presentation titled “The Six-figure Work from Home Machinist.”
Comments from 2023 IoTfM symposium attendees:
“This has been a fantastic event,” said Chris Bentivegna, principal architect (advanced wireless) with AT&T. “I really appreciate the opportunity to come in, talk about 5G with Georgia Tech, and look forward to AT&T and Georgia Tech partnering on some new technologies and advancing manufacturing. It’s been a joy to be here.”
“We are an MQTT platform. What that means is that we help provide the platform on which machines can talk to each other, and also plug into enterprise IT systems on a global level,” said Gaurav Suman, director of product marketing for HiveMQ. “Here at the symposium, I'm finding it great that I'm getting an understanding of where challenges and solutions to those challenges are born. I can see us and many other technology providers coming together to talk about those issues, how they're adopted across industries. It's quite fantastic to be here.”
“It's been great to present my research and show industry attendees some of our capabilities and some of the machines we have and what they can do,” said Robert Caraway, doctoral student in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “What I'm doing is making metal powders out of nickel titanium alloys, trying to do some recycling and other things. I'm currently working with my lab team members on creating new metal alloys.”
“It's great to be at Georgia Tech sharing insights into manufacturing with a lot of industry professionals and some really great graduate students,” said Dan Skulan, general manager of industrial metrology for Renishaw Inc. “We're talking about creating good, traceable processes and using the power of the internet and computing to make really good advancements in the efficiency of manufacturing, reduction in manpower, and sustainable practices.”
It's very exciting to be here today with the amazing audience that we have here,” said Dago Mata, head of business development Americas for the Stefanini Group. “It's my fourth time participating, and we have great ideas to share for the manufacturing industry.”
“I think this is one of the best events at Georgia Tech connecting academia and industry,” said Kaveh Berenji, a postdoctoral fellow at GTMI. “This event fills the gap between what academia needs in terms of support from industry, and what industry needs in terms of scientific support from academia.”
Missed the symposium? You can download and view all presentations by visiting the 2023 IoTfM symposium webpage.
The event was sponsored by the state of Georgia’s innovation and manufacturing group, the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, the Georgia Tech Factory Information Systems Center, and America Makes.
To learn more or to join next year’s invitation list, contact Andrew Dugenske at dugenske@gatech.edu.
]]>Georgia AIM Week, which takes place Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, is hosted by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM). The week kicks off at Georgia Tech's John Lewis Student Center with the debut of the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio. The vehicle will tour the state during the week to showcase how a wide range of organizations, including public schools, manufacturers, and technology startups, are using AI. The week will conclude on Oct. 4, National Manufacturing Day, at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Funded by a $65 million federal Economic Development Administration grant, Georgia AIM launched in September 2022 and connects 16 projects across the state, all working to develop a manufacturing workforce skilled in smart technologies and to deploy innovation in the manufacturing industry. Georgia AIM is one of the largest federally funded initiatives of its kind in the country to connect economic development with AI in manufacturing to foster advancements in innovation and workforce development. The grant project is led by Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute.
“Georgia AIM Week allows us to showcase the incredible work that we have accomplished in partnership with a range of organizations over the last two years,” said Donna Ennis, Georgia AIM co-director. “Artificial intelligence and smart technologies are a game-changer for small and medium manufacturers, and learning these technologies opens doors for our workforce. Georgia AIM is working across the state to ensure Georgia can take advantage of these new technologies, and Georgia AIM Week is highlighting these efforts.”
Along with the kickoff and wrap-up events, Georgia AIM Week events will occur in Atlanta, Augusta, Dawsonville, LaGrange, McDonough, Moultrie, Savannah, and Warner Robins. Virtual “Hour of Coding” activities for 6th to 12th graders are also planned from noon to 1 p.m. each day that week.
Manufacturing-focused events will be hosted by the Georgia MBDA Business Center, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility located at Georgia Tech.
Georgia AIM’s work across the state includes K-12 initiatives to connect STEM and problem-solving activities to students, new labs and equipment at Technical College System of Georgia campuses, a new program for cybersecurity training at the Cyber Innovation & Training Center with Augusta University, and new workforce development programs that include training and apprenticeships and fellowships that align with local manufacturing needs. Overall, more than 3,000 students and 1,500 teachers in K-12 schools have connected with new science-based challenges. New programs are connecting Southwest Georgia career academies to advanced technologies, and the number of robotics programs for K-12 schools in Middle Georgia has doubled.
Georgia AIM funding created the AI-Enhanced Robotics Center at the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center in Warner Robins, where 24 students have received AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing Specialist technical training certificates. Georgia AIM has also connected with dozens of manufacturers and communities across the state, assisting with technology implementation and pilot projects to help incorporate smart technologies.
About Georgia AIM
Funded by a $65 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration, Georgia AIM is a network of projects across the state that connect the manufacturing community with AI and smart technologies and a ready workforce. Georgia AIM works across all geographies and demographics to bring traditionally underrepresented participants to manufacturing spaces, specifically rural residents, women, people of color, veterans, and those without a college degree. Georgia AIM projects include K-12 education, Georgia’s universities and technical colleges, workforce education, regional partnerships, nonprofits, and support for emerging technologies and manufacturers.
For more information on Georgia AIM, please visit georgiaaim.org.
]]>Several thousand engineers, technical professionals, sales, marketing and business development experts from all corners of the world took advantage of the CAMX expo and conference programming to increase their manufacturing and process knowledge, meet their supply chain, build new networks and collaborate on sustainable industry solutions in the aerospace, automotive, wind power and other markets.
As part of the event, the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) hosted an onsite tour of its Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AMPF) to a select group of industry expo attendees.
AMPF is a 20,000 square foot research and development high bay manufacturing facility located on the Georgia Tech campus supporting industrial, academic, and government stakeholders related to manufacturing research and also serves as a teaching laboratory to train the next generation of engineers, scientists and manufacturing experts. Made possible by a $3 million gift from the Delta Air Lines Foundation, this facility enables manufacturing innovation projects of almost all shapes from additive/hybrid manufacturing to composites, digital manufacturing, Industry 4.0, industrial robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Recently, Georgia Tech and the AMPF facility are supporting a statewide initiative that combines artificial intelligence and manufacturing innovations with transformational workforce and outreach programs.
The AMPF tour was led by Kyle Saleeby, research engineer in GTMI, who tailored the tour to feature manufacturing technologies related to metal composites and advanced manufacturing capabilities for 3D printed metals. This included additive, subtractive, and hybrid manufacturing technologies along with metal powder/alloy making capabilities that AMPF utilizes.
“CAMX is grateful to Kyle for presenting an informative tour of the impressive AMPF facility, said Raj Manchanda, chief technology officer of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE®). “Nearly 25 CAMX attendees who participated in the tour provided positive feedback not only on the state-of-the-art hybrid manufacturing equipment that AMPF houses from leading OEMs, but also the capability of the Georgia Tech AMPF faculty and brilliant graduate students who are developing adaptable manufacturing solutions integrating proven machining technologies with advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, additive manufacturing, and more.”
At the expo, GTMI was invited to host and lead a panel discussion of current digital manufacturing trends on day two of the CAMX show. Three industry experts from GTMI’s partner network participated in a discussion moderated by Kyle Saleeby. The panelists were Elaine Winchester from Plyable, Andre Wegner from Authentise and Rodney Elmore from Microsoft.
“At the advanced manufacturing pilot facility, we are always proud host so many great organizations, institutions and industry colleagues to share our advanced manufacturing research,” said Saleeby.
]]>Organized by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), Georgia AIM Week kicked off September 30 with a celebration on the Georgia Institute of Technology campus and culminated with another celebration on Friday at the University of Georgia in Athens and aligned with National Manufacturing Day.
In between, the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio made stops at schools and community organizations to showcase a range of technology rooted in AI and smart technology.
“Georgia AIM Week was a statewide opportunity for us to celebrate Manufacturing Day and to launch our Georgia AIM Mobile Studio,” said Donna Ennis, associate vice president, community-based engagement, for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and Georgia AIM co-director. “Georgia AIM projects planned events in cities around the state, starting here in Atlanta. Then we headed to Warner Robins, Southwest Georgia, and Athens. We’re excited about the opportunity to bring this technology to our communities and increase access and ideas related to smart technology.”
Georgia AIM is a collaboration across the state to provide the tools and knowledge to empower all communities, particularly those that have been underserved and overlooked in manufacturing. This includes rural communities, women, people of color, and veterans. Georgia AIM projects are located across the state and work within communities to create a diverse AI manufacturing workforce. The federally funded program is a collaborative project administered through Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute.
A cornerstone of Georgia AIM Week was the debut of the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio, a 53-foot custom trailer outfitted with technology that can be used in manufacturing — but also by anyone with an interest in learning about AI and smart technology. Visitors to the mobile studio can experience virtual reality, 3-D printing, drones, robots, sensors, computer vision, and circuits essential to running this new tech.
There’s even a dog — albeit a robotic one — named Nova.
The studio was designed to introduce students to the possibilities of careers in manufacturing and show small businesses some of the cost-effective ways they can incorporate 21st century technology into their manufacturing operations.
“We were awarded about $7.5 million to build this wonderful studio here,” said Kenya Asbill, who works at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) as the Economic Development Administration project manager for Georgia AIM. “We will be traveling around the state of Georgia to introduce artificial intelligence in manufacturing to our targeted communities, including underserved rural and urban residents.”
Some technology on the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio was designed in consultation with project partners Kitt Labs and Technologists of Color. An additional suite of “technology vignettes” were developed by students at the University of Georgia College of Engineering. RICE and UGA served as project leads for the mobile studio development, and RICE will oversee its deployment across the state in the coming months.
To request a mobile studio visit, please visit the Georgia AIM website.
During Monday’s kickoff, the Georgia Tech cheerleaders and Buzz fired up the crowd before an event that featured remarks by Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. EDA Christina Killingsworth; Jay Bailey, president and CEO of RICE; Beshoy Morkos, associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Georgia; Aaron Stebner, co-director of Georgia AIM; David Bridges, vice president of Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute; and lightning presentations by Georgia AIM project leads from around the state.
Following the presentations, mobile studio tours were led by Jon Exume, president and executive director, and Mark Lawson, director of technology, for Technologists of Color. The organization works to create a cohesive and thriving community of African Americans in tech.
“I’m particularly excited to witness the launch of the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio. It really will help demystify AI and bring its promise to underserved rural areas across the state,” Killingsworth said. “AI is the defining technology of our generation. It’s transforming the global economy, and it will continue to have tremendous impact on the global workforce. And while AI has the potential to democratize access to information, enhance efficiency, and allow humans to focus on the more complex, creative, and meaningful aspects of work, it also has the power to exacerbate economic disparity. As such, we must work together to embrace the promise of AI while mitigating its risks.”
Other events during Georgia AIM week included the Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor Manufacturing Expo in Warner Robins, West Georgia Manufacturing Day – Student Career Expo in LaGrange, and a visit to Colquitt County High School in Moultrie. The week wrapped on Friday, Oct. 4, at the University of Georgia in Athens with a National Manufacturing Day celebration.
“We’re focused on growing our manufacturing economy,” Ennis said. “We’re also focused on the development and deployment of innovation and talent in the manufacturing industry as it relates to AI and other technologies. Manufacturing is cool. It is a changing industry. We want our students and younger people to understand that this is a career.”
]]>Fellows represent expertise in a variety of areas of CPSS, which addresses risks where cyber and physical worlds intersect. That includes the Internet of Things (IoT), industrial systems, smart grids, medical devices, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and more.
“As devices, systems, and the world continue to become more connected, cyber-related threats that were traditionally limited to the digital domain have made their way to physical systems,” said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College, Southern Company Chair, and a cybersecurity expert. “The College of Engineering has world-renowned cybersecurity and artificial intelligence researchers. This new cohort will continue to expand the College’s breadth of expertise and leadership in CPSS.”
The three-year fellowship was made possible by a gift from Kyle Seymour, a 1982 mechanical engineering graduate who retired as president and CEO of S&C Electric Company in 2020. Seymour wanted to help increase cybersecurity-related research and instruction within the College.
School chairs nominated potential fellows, who were evaluated and selected by a committee of senior cybersecurity researchers and College leaders.
Five faculty members will help grow the College of Engineering’s work in high-impact cyber-physical systems security (CPSS) as new Cybersecurity Fellows.
Fellows represent expertise in a variety of areas of CPSS, which addresses risks where cyber and physical worlds intersect. That includes the Internet of Things (IoT), industrial systems, smart grids, medical devices, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and more.
“As devices, systems, and the world continue to become more connected, cyber-related threats that were traditionally limited to the digital domain have made their way to physical systems,” said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College, Southern Company Chair, and a cybersecurity expert. “The College of Engineering has world-renowned cybersecurity and artificial intelligence researchers. This new cohort will continue to expand the College’s breadth of expertise and leadership in CPSS.”
The three-year fellowship was made possible by a gift from Kyle Seymour, a 1982 mechanical engineering graduate who retired as president and CEO of S&C Electric Company in 2020. Seymour wanted to help increase cybersecurity-related research and instruction within the College.
School chairs nominated potential fellows, who were evaluated and selected by a committee of senior cybersecurity researchers and College leaders.
View the new Cybersecurity Fellows >>
]]>The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) proudly hosted U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro during his recent campus visit. Del Toro's visit underscored the critical role of innovation and technology in national security and highlighted Georgia Tech's significant contributions to this effort.
“Our Navy-Marine Corps Team remains at the center of global and national security — maintaining freedom of the seas, international security, and global stability,” he explained in his remarks at the John Lewis Student Center. “To win the fight of the future, we must embrace and implement emerging technologies.”
The Secretary provided an update on science and technology research to the Atlanta Region Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit, comprised of midshipmen from Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University. Del Toro has worked to establish a new Naval Science and Technology Strategy to address current and future challenges faced by the Navy and Marine Corps. The strategy serves as a global call to service and innovation for stakeholders in academia, industry, and government.
“The Georgia Tech Research Institute has answered this call,” he said.
A key pillar of the new strategy, says Del Toro, was the establishment of the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology Board in 2023, “with the intent that the board provide independent advice and counsel to the department on matters and policies relating to scientific, technical, manufacturing, acquisition, logistics, medicine, and business management functions.”
The board, which includes Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) Executive Director Thomas Kurfess, has conducted six studies in its inaugural year to identify new technologies for rapid adoption and provide near-term, practical recommendations for quick implementation by the Navy.
“I recently led the team for developing a strategy for integrating additive manufacturing into the Navy’s overall shipbuilding and repair strategy,” says Kurfess. “We just had final approval of our recommendations — we are making a significant impact on the Navy with respect to additive manufacturing.”
Del Toro's visit to Georgia Tech reaffirms the Institute's role as a leader in research and innovation, particularly in areas critical to national security. The collaboration between Georgia Tech and the Department of the Navy continues to drive advancements that ensure the safety and effectiveness of the nation's naval forces.
“Innovation is at the heart of our efforts at Georgia Tech and GTMI,” says Kurfess. “It is an honor to put that effort toward ensuring our country’s safety and national security in partnership with the U.S. Navy.”
“As our department continues to reimagine and refocus our innovation efforts,” said Del Toro, “I encourage all of you — our nation’s scientists, engineers, researchers, and inventors — to join us.”
The MNCP is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded collaboration between the Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS), Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) and Pennsylvania State University’s Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization.
The spring 2025 cohort was comprised of three individuals with non-technical backgrounds. For 12 weeks, they split time between online lectures and hands-on training in the Georgia Tech Fabrication Cleanroom where they immersed themselves in advanced microelectronic fabrication techniques. Their training included thin film deposition, photolithography, etching, metrology, laser micro-machining, and additive manufacturing. They gained hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, even creating their own custom designs on 4-inch silicon wafers.
“The program really helps people get their head start, especially for those who don’t really have the educational background,” said Lauren Walker, one student from the cohort. Walker applied for the program after hearing about it from a colleague and was able to get a job as a laboratory technician with help from the program resources.
“[The program] gave me everything I needed to know for new skills and things like that for the industry,” said Walker. “It helped me eventually get another job. I say it helped because of the workshops they had.”
Under the direction of Seung-Joon Paik, IMS teaching lab coordinator, the cohort spent two days a week in the IMS cleanroom working on research projects with IMS staff. Michelle Wu, a research scientist in IMS, served as lab instructor throughout the program and oversaw the training on cleanroom tools.
“As their lab instructor, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with their passion, patience, and unwavering dedication to this program,” said Wu.
The program is supported by the Advanced Technological Education program at the National Science Foundation and is free for all participants.
Learn more about the Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing Certificate Program
]]>Between revitalized investments in America’s manufacturing infrastructure and an increased focus on AI and automation, the U.S. is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance. A key focus of this resurgence lies in improving the resiliency of supply chains in the U.S., particularly in crucial sectors like defense.
“If we were to suddenly have a seismic shift in defense manufacturing needs,” asks Aaron Stebner, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, “do we have the supply chain and manufacturers who could meet that sudden increase in demand? How do we do that in a way that’s sustainable for long periods of time as a nation if that need arises?”
The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) officially launched the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium in 2023 to address that need. Designed to form a network of engaged manufacturers from across the country, the Consortium serves as a key connection point between Georgia Tech and industry partners — and as fertile ground for collaborative innovation.
“By bringing us all together,” says Stebner, who serves on the board of the Consortium, “we can do bigger, more meaningful things and find unique ways and opportunities to get money flowing back to the companies and Georgia Tech.”
With over 25 founding company members, the Consortium celebrated its first official year of operation in August.
The Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium originally grew out of an 18-month pilot project funded by the Department of Defense Office of Local Community Cooperation aiming to increase defense supply chain resilience, assist Georgia manufacturers in adopting new technologies, and foster collaboration by connecting manufacturers across Georgia.
Those goals and more are tackled by the Consortium’s focus on “networking, engagement, and collaboration,” says Stebner. “It's not just a consortium for Georgia Tech to take money from industry and do stuff with their money — the goal is to create new resources that enable us to collaborate in bigger ways than we could otherwise.”
To join the Consortium, industry members pay up to $10,000 annually to access its network, intellectual property, and facilities. With a 10% membership discount for Georgia businesses and a 75% discount for small businesses, the Consortium especially aims to promote growth for small Georgia manufacturers.
“Memberships come with time at the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, which we’re expanding to be this test bed for autonomous maturation of research and development,” says Stebner. “The fact that we have what’s going to be an almost $60 million facility behind us as a mechanism and a playground for all these companies is unique.”
“Having a shared use facility that is fully equipped to solve manufacturing’s most interesting challenges is not only a perk of Consortium memberships,” said Executive Director Steven Ferguson, “but it also serves as a hub for innovation in manufacturing.”
Many consortiums founded by academic institutions are primarily focused on academic research.
“The Manufacturing 4.0 consortium has an industry focus,” said Branden Kappes, founder and president of Consortium member company Contextualize LLC. “It's more about how we take this capability that, at the moment, is trapped in a lab and transition from a wonderful concept into a wonderful product.”
The Consortium achieves that translation through shared intellectual property agreements, collaborative research initiatives, and an emphasis on creating an engaged and open network of members.
“I see camaraderie inside the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium,” says Kappes. “I see companies that overlap and compete in some areas, are complementary in others, and are willing to build a bridge to advance the capabilities of both sides and the community as a whole. That type of mentality is very exciting.”
“This is one of the most highly engaged groups I have interacted with in a professional setting,” said John Flynn, vice president of Sales at Consortium member company Endeavor 3D. “It is an incredibly dynamic melting pot of all the different facets of industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, bringing everyone together from that part of the supply chain to create what I know will be important and value-added projects, ultimately resulting in intellectual property.”
“We are able to connect Consortium members with subject matter experts at Georgia Tech and within the Consortium who have ‘been there and done that,’” said Ferguson. “At the same time, we are working with manufacturers to create novel solutions to complex problems through research engagements. Blending all of those activities into one organization is part of the magic that is the Consortium.”
]]>In the rapidly evolving world of manufacturing, embracing digital connectivity and artificial intelligence is crucial for optimizing operations, improving efficiency, and driving innovation. Internet of Things (IoT) is a key pillar of that process, enabling seamless communication and data exchange across the manufacturing process by connecting sensors, equipment, and applications through internet protocols.
The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) recently hosted the 10th annual Internet of Things for Manufacturing (IoTfM) Symposium, a flagship event that continues to set the standard for innovation and collaboration in the manufacturing sector. Held on Nov. 13, the symposium brought together industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners to explore the latest advancements and applications of IoT in manufacturing.
"The purpose is to bring the voice of manufacturers directly to the university community," explained Andrew Dugenske, a principal research engineer and director of the Factory Information Systems Center at GTMI. "It's about learning from industry to guide our research, education, and knowledge base, which is inherent to Georgia Tech."
Initiated over a decade ago, the IoTfM Symposium has grown into a premier event that highlights Georgia Tech's commitment to advancing manufacturing technologies.
"This symposium provides a unique platform to share and learn from cutting-edge advancements in IoT and now AI for manufacturing,” said Dago Mata, regional director of business development at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and one of the event’s speakers. “The opportunity to engage with industry leaders and showcase practical, real-world implementations was highly motivating."
This year’s symposium welcomed over 100 attendees from across the country. Speakers from TCS, Amazon Web Services, Southwire, and more shared insights on the latest advancements, use cases, current challenges, and future directions for IoT in manufacturing processes.
“My favorite aspect was the case studies presented by major manufacturers, highlighting successful IoT and AI implementations," said Mata, who has attended the symposium since 2018. "These provided actionable takeaways and inspiration for driving similar innovation in my projects — the blend of exclusive learning from real-world applications and the presence of diverse experts made it a truly practical and inspiring event."
A distinctive feature of the IoTfM Symposium is its commitment to providing a platform for industry partners to voice their perspectives on powerful manufacturing research, says Dugenske. "We ask our industry partners to tell us about their experiences, challenges, and future predictions. This way, we can guide our research with the real-world needs of the manufacturing sector to form stronger collaborations and better prepare our students."
This unique format not only enhances the relevance of the symposium but also fosters a collaborative environment where industry leaders can learn from each other and from Georgia Tech's academic community.
As GTMI looks to the future, the symposium will continue to evolve, incorporating new elements and expanding its reach. Dugenske envisions even greater integration with other GTMI initiatives and broader industry engagement.
"Our goal is to create an event that highlights our capabilities and builds deeper connections within the manufacturing community.”
In a significant step towards fostering international collaboration and advancing cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing, Georgia Tech recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) and the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH). Facilitated by the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI), this landmark event underscores Georgia Tech’s commitment to global partnerships and innovation in manufacturing and automotive technologies.
“This is a great fit for the institute, the state of Georgia, and the United States, enhancing international cooperation,” said Thomas Kurfess, GTMI executive director and Regents’ Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering (ME). “An MoU like this really gives us an opportunity to bring together a larger team to tackle international problems.”
“An MoU signing between Georgia Tech and entities like KITECH and KATECH signifies a formal agreement to pursue shared goals and explore collaborative opportunities, including joint research projects, academic exchanges, and technological advancements,” said Seung-Kyum Choi, an associate professor in ME and a major contributor in facilitating both partnerships. “Partnering with these influential institutions positions Georgia Tech to expand its global footprint and enhance its impact, particularly in areas like AI-driven manufacturing and automotive technologies.”
The state of Georgia has seen significant growth in investments from Korean companies. Over the past decade, approximately 140 Korean companies have committed around $23 billion to various projects in Georgia, creating over 12,000 new jobs in 2023 alone. This influx of investment underscores the strong economic ties between Georgia and South Korea, further bolstered by partnerships like those with KITECH and KATECH.
“These partnerships not only provide access to new resources and advanced technologies,” says Choi, “but create opportunities for joint innovation, furthering GTMI’s mission to drive transformative breakthroughs in manufacturing on a global scale.”
The MoUs with KITECH and KATECH are expected to facilitate a wide range of collaborative activities, including joint research projects that leverage the strengths of both institutions, academic exchanges that enrich the educational experiences of students and faculty, and technological advancements that push the boundaries of current manufacturing and automotive technologies.
“My hopes for the future of Georgia Tech’s partnerships with KITECH and KATECH are centered on fostering long-term, impactful collaborations that drive innovation in manufacturing and automotive technologies,” Choi noted. “These partnerships do not just expand our reach; they solidify our leadership in shaping the future of manufacturing, keeping Georgia Tech at the forefront of industry breakthroughs worldwide.”
Georgia Tech has a history of successful collaborations with Korean companies, including a multidecade partnership with Hyundai. Recently, the Institute joined forces with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) to establish the KIAT-Georgia Tech Semiconductor Electronics Center to advance semiconductor research, fostering sustainable partnerships between Korean companies and Georgia Tech researchers.
“Partnering with KATECH and KITECH goes beyond just technological innovation,” said Kurfess, “it really enhances international cooperation, strengthens local industry, drives job creation, and boosts Georgia’s economy.”
“We didn't have any training for advanced manufacturing in our area,” said Miller, vice president of Academic Affairs at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC), which offers education and training programs in technical and manufacturing fields. “Companies had to go out and recruit people from Michigan to run their machines. That's when we said, ‘We don’t want that to happen — we need to be doing that right here.’”
That’s where the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) stepped in. Working with partner program Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), GTMI helped connect SRTC with the resources and expertise needed to develop a robust training program tailored to the needs of local manufacturers.
Miller said at first, he was skeptical. “When GTMI said they wanted to be partners, I thought, ‘OK, this is another situation where we're going to talk for a minute, everybody says things and then goes away — and that’s it,’” said Miller. “That's not how it's been at all.”
Rather, it’s been a true partnership driven by SRTC, with curriculum focused on automation and robotics developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and GTMI. The curriculum is also shaped by local industry input to directly address workforce gaps in the region’s manufacturing sector.
“As a state institution, we're here to serve you,” said Steven Sheffield, senior assistant director of Research Operations at GTMI and a point person of the partnership. “Tell us the problem, and we will work hard to try to solve it with you.”
Miller was committed to giving SRTC students the advanced manufacturing skills needed to stand out in the workforce. Yet the evolving manufacturing landscape and the needs of local manufacturers revealed gaps in SRTC’s curriculum, particularly in AI, automation, and robotics.
With GTMI and Georgia AIM researchers contributing key expertise to the expanded smart manufacturing curriculum, Miller noted the partnership is “opening our eyes to what we can do with AI. We're going to start integrating that into our programs.”
Beyond AI and robotics, SRTC leadership identified a crucial gap in their program: training in precision machining, a skill that local manufacturers like Check-Mate Industries sorely needed.
“If we want to attract new business and industry to Georgia, we need to be able to show them we can provide a skilled workforce,” said Miller.
To address this missing piece, GTMI and Georgia AIM helped procure funding to acquire and refurbish precision-machining equipment from longtime partner Makino. Georgia AIM also supported the renovation and outfitting of two SRTC lab spaces with additional updated equipment.
Last fall, SRTC launched its new Precision Manufacturing & Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering Technology programs, with instructors trained by GTMI faculty in precision manufacturing. The new program at SRTC is one example of the ways GTMI experts are working with communities across the state to expand access to training and new technology.
“Not a lot of technical colleges have this type of machinery,” said Marvin Bannister, SRTC precision machining and manufacturing program chair. Instructors like Bannister received specialized training at GTMI’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility to ensure they felt confident teaching students how to operate the machinery. “Not only is it something else to add to my skill set, but the most important thing is that I'll be able to train other students who desire to learn on a machine like this.”
Because of SRTC’s expanded offerings, the technical college has strengthened partnerships and developed new internship programs with local manufacturers. “We all want the same thing,” said Miller, “which is to grow industry partnerships and to create a talent pipeline for our state.”
GTMI and Georgia AIM also support STEM programs with Thomasville area schools and internship programs for K-12 teachers with local manufacturers such as Check-Mate. These efforts deepen the connections between students and manufacturers, opening doors to future careers in the sector.
“We’re here to connect the dots and enable these types of partnerships,” says Steven Ferguson, a principal research scientist with GTMI and co-director of Georgia AIM. “When teams and their networks come together to solve a challenge for just one manufacturer, the impact can reach across an entire region.”
]]>“At Georgia Tech, innovation isn’t just about discovery — it’s about solving real-world challenges,” said Executive Vice President for Research Tim Lieuwen. “Georgia Quick Start ensures that cutting-edge research in advanced manufacturing translates into practical training solutions. Together, we are equipping Georgia’s workforce with the skills needed to drive economic growth and industry advancement.”
As manufacturing technologies and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, U.S. manufacturers increasingly require skilled workers experienced in advanced manufacturing. For decades, Georgia Quick Start, administered by the Technical College System of Georgia, has been addressing this need and has been recognized as the country’s top workforce training program for 15 years.
Now, researchers at Georgia Tech will collaborate with Georgia Quick Start to enhance these efforts by developing Extended Reality (XR) training programs, providing a scalable and experiential solution to meet the growing demand for training.
“We have been so successful for so many years because we stay focused on relevance, flexibility, and responsiveness,” said Scott McMurray, deputy commissioner for Georgia Quick Start. “This partnership is an example of how Quick Start is able to develop and deliver effective training even for companies working on the leading edge of advanced manufacturing technologies.”
XR technologies use a combination of virtual and augmented reality to create immersive, interactive experiences. By simulating real-world manufacturing environments and processes, XR has the potential to allow trainees to practice and refine their skills in a controlled, risk-free setting through standardized training experiences. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures consistency in training quality across a large workforce.
“Virtual reality scales training by gamifying complex tasks and removing the need for costly or hazardous physical equipment. Augmented reality scales on-the-job training by providing adaptive, context-aware guidance exactly when and where it’s needed, reducing the need for expert supervision,” said manufacturing XR researcher Mohsen Moghaddam, Gary C. Butler Family associate professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “Together, they make training more consistent, up-to-date, accessible, and safe, especially for workers who may hesitate to ask for assistance from peers or supervisors out of fear of judgment.”
The collaboration will leverage Moghaddam’s research and the AR/VR training space within the expanded Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, providing a state-of-the-art environment for developing and deploying XR training technologies. Researchers from the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and Georgia AIM(Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing) will also play pivotal roles in the development of these training programs.
“Partnerships like these highlight the power of the integrated University of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia’s workforce development ecosystem,” said Thomas Kurfess, Regents’ Professor and GTMI executive director. “Our country not only needs the creation of new jobs but also the skilled workforce to fill them. At Georgia Tech and GTMI, we are serving as an enabler of innovation in that workforce development.”
]]>The U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports face a critical deadline on Jan. 15, as a potential coast-wide strike threatens to halt billions in trade, disrupt supply chains, and escalate inflationary pressures. The strike could compound existing challenges for industries still recovering from earlier shocks.
Consumer Impact and Broader Issues
When asked about the impact on consumers, Chris Gaffney, an Edenfield Executive-in-Residence and a professor of the practice in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, explains, “Short term, the consumer impact may be more about product availability, as a material portion of fruit and vegetables are imported during the U.S. winter. That said, the large majority of U.S. consumables are domestically produced. Our economy is fundamentally global, and it is in no one’s interest for this conflict to linger for more than a few weeks.” Gaffney is a distinguished expert in supply chain management and logistics with extensive experience analyzing complex supply chain issues.
There are broader challenges beyond the immediate negotiations. While economic issues were addressed in the fall to avert prolonged disruptions, Gaffney identifies a pressing concern: the competitiveness of U.S. ports compared to global leaders. “U.S. carriers and port operators see physical automation as crucial for maintaining supply chain efficiency,” he explains. However, union leaders remain skeptical, citing long-term job security concerns and arguing that automation alone isn’t a definitive solution. They advocate for exploring alternative methods to boost throughput, capacity, and efficiency in U.S. ports.
Economic Implications
If a strike occurs, the immediate effects will be felt most acutely by industries dependent on “just-in-time” inventory models, such as retail, electronics, and automotive. Coastal regions hosting major ports, particularly on the West Coast, will experience the worst disruptions, with consequences rippling across the country. Long-term, these negotiations reveal recurring challenges, as “each coast faces similar cycles during contract renewals.” Gaffney points out that ocean carriers are often seen as the party conceding financially while maintaining a strategy toward increased automation, which remains a contentious but critical element for future competitiveness.
Impact of a New Administration
Gaffney notes that the incoming presidential administration’s support for the longshoremen and its focus on labor relations and supply chain resilience could shape the negotiations. “This shift in priorities means Jan. 20 is not the milestone it might have been,” he explains, adding that the administration may informally intervene before the inauguration to ensure economic stability and prevent prolonged disruptions.
Convenient Timing for Negotiations
Highlighting the strategic timing of the negotiations, Gaffney emphasizes the pressures faced by shippers and port operators during this critical period: “Post-holiday shipping provides a brief window to manage inventories, but the lead-up to Chinese New Year (Jan. 25, 2025) triggers an annual pre-holiday surge as factories ramp up production and ports become congested.” Shippers must act quickly, choosing East or West Coast ports and loading vessels by mid-January to avoid disruptions caused by factory closures and port slowdowns. “This tight timeline demands precise scheduling, leaving little room for error,” Gaffney adds, noting that experienced shippers anticipated these challenges and used the fall pause to plan for accelerated shipments ahead of Chinese New Year.
Proactive Measures by Shippers
Despite the potential for significant disruption, experienced shippers have taken proactive steps to mitigate risks. “Shippers are diversifying port usage, increasing warehouse inventory, and leveraging inland distribution networks,” Gaffney shares. “Some have expedited shipments or rerouted cargo through West Coast and Gulf Coast ports. These measures offer temporary buffers but are not foolproof. Success hinges on timing, available capacity, and adaptability during prolonged disruptions, which could strain resources and add costs across the supply chain.” Ultimately, the resilience of the supply chain will be tested, but careful planning can help in navigating these uncertain times.
As Managing Director of the Supply Chain and Logistics at Georgia Tech, I’ve seen firsthand how development planning can elevate individual careers, strengthen teams, and improve organizational resilience. However, the key to making it work lies in balancing the demands of day-to-day operations with actionable, targeted development efforts.
The structure of the working calendar doesn’t make development planning easy. Between the end-of-year holiday season and summer vacation months, supply chain professionals face two primary windows for development:
For supply chain professionals, these windows represent critical periods to upskill and prepare for the evolving demands of the industry. The spring window is upon us, making now the perfect time to act with urgency and purpose.
In supply chain, the "why" behind development planning is straightforward: the industry is changing faster than ever. New technologies, shifting global trade patterns, and the increasing complexity of operations demand professionals who are both technically skilled and strategically agile.
The supply chain leaders of tomorrow must excel in areas like:
Development can be broken into two primary areas:
1. Core Competencies (In-House):
Here is a link to one of the best competency guides out there: FYI Resource Center
2. Technical and Operational Skills:
Beyond these newer technical areas, there remain significant gaps in the application of many core supply chain processes—gaps that cannot be overlooked:
For supply chain professionals with limited time and access to leading practices, the 70/20/10 model offers a practical framework for development:
Please see attached figure 1 for Development Plan Example to improve Warehouse Operations Capability
Here is a link to a free Individual development GPT in Chat GPT: Individual Development Plan Builder
For busy professionals, the biggest hurdle to development planning is often finding the time. But a well-crafted development plan doesn’t have to take hours. Here's how you can get started in just 30 minutes:
The pace of change in supply chain operations is relentless, but professionals who make development a priority can turn that challenge into a competitive advantage. By leveraging the 70/20/10 model and focusing on intentional, actionable planning, you can position yourself—and your team—for success.
Don’t let this spring window pass without taking steps toward growth. Whether it’s mastering a new technology, improving core processes, or navigating tradeoff decisions, the time to act is now. If your growth plan includes professional education, consider how the Supply Chain and Logistics Institute and Georgia Tech Professional Education might benefit you!
]]>Both Python and R have strong footholds in the analytics space, each with unique advantages. However, industry trends suggest a growing shift toward Python as the dominant tool for data science, machine learning, and enterprise applications. While R remains valuable in specific statistical and academic contexts, businesses must carefully assess which language aligns best with their analytics goals and workforce development strategies.
This article explores the strengths of each language and provides guidance for industry professionals looking to make informed decisions about which to prioritize for their teams.
Python has evolved into a comprehensive tool that extends beyond traditional analytics into automation, optimization, artificial intelligence, and supply chain modeling. Its key advantages include:
From a talent perspective, Python is becoming the preferred programming language for data science and analytics roles. Surveys indicate that Python is used in 67% to 90% of analytics-related jobs, making it a crucial skill for professionals. Employers benefit from:
Python is widely adopted in logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain optimization due to its ability to handle:
Despite Python’s widespread adoption, R remains a valuable tool in certain business contexts, particularly in statistical modeling and research applications. R’s strengths include:
For most organizations, Python represents the future of analytics, offering the broadest capabilities, strongest industry adoption, and easiest integration into enterprise systems. However, R remains useful in specialized statistical applications and legacy environments.
A balanced approach might involve training teams in Python as the primary analytics language while maintaining an awareness of R for niche use cases. The key takeaway for business leaders is not just about choosing a programming language but ensuring their teams develop strong analytical problem-solving skills that transcend specific tools.
By strategically aligning analytics capabilities with business goals, organizations can build a more data-driven, adaptable, and future-ready workforce.
]]>As automation and AI continue to transform the manufacturing industry, the need for seamless integration across all production stages has reached an all-time high. By digitally designing products, controlling the machinery that builds them, and collecting precise data at each step, digital integration streamlines the entire manufacturing process — cutting down on waste materials, cost, and production time.
Recently, the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) teamed up with OPEN MIND Technologies to host an immersive, weeklong training session on hyperMILL, an advanced manufacturing software enabling this digital integration.
OPEN MIND, the developer of hyperMILL, has been a longtime supporter of research operations in Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AMPF). “Our adoption of their software solutions has allowed us to explore the full potential of machines and to make sure we keep forging new paths,” said Steven Ferguson, a principal research scientist at GTMI.
Software like hyperMILL helps plan the most efficient and accurate way to cut, shape, or 3D print materials on different machines, making the process faster and easier. Hosted at the AMPF, the immersive training offered 10 staff members and students a hands-on platform to use the software while practicing machining and additive manufacturing techniques.
“The number of new features and tricks that the software has every year makes it advantageous to stay current and get a refresher course,” said Alan Burl, a Ph.D. student in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering who attended the training session. “More advanced users can learn new tips and tricks while simultaneously exposing new users to the power of a fully featured, computer-aided manufacturing software.”
OPEN MIND Technologies has partnered with Georgia Tech for over five years to support digital manufacturing research, offering biannual training in their latest software to faculty and students.
“Meeting the new graduate students each fall is something that I look forward to,” said Brad Rooks, an application engineer at OPEN MIND and one of the co-leaders of the training session. “This particular group posed questions that were intuitive and challenging to me as a trainer — their inquisitive nature drove me to look at our software from fresh perspectives.”
The company is also a member of GTMI’s Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium, a membership-based group that unites industry, academia, and government to develop and implement advanced manufacturing technologies and train the workforce for the market.
“The strong reputation of GTMI in the manufacturing industry, and more importantly, the reputation of the students, faculty, and researchers who support research within our facilities, enables us to forge strategic partnerships with companies like OPEN MIND,” says Ferguson, who also serves as executive director of the consortium. “These relationships are what makes working with and within GTMI so special.”
The Milton C. Shaw Manufacturing Research Medal, established in 2009, recognizes significant fundamental contributions to the science and technology of manufacturing processes.
"I am honored to receive this prestigious award. Milton C. Shaw was a giant in the manufacturing field, and to be recognized by an award named after him is very humbling," said Melkote, who also serves as the associate director for the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute.
The Warner T. Koiter Medal was established in 1996 and recognizes distinguished contributions to the field of solid mechanics with special emphasis on the effective blending of theoretical and applied elements of the discipline, as well as leadership in the international solid mechanics community.
Qi expressed his appreciation for his team upon learning of the award. “This award is really for my current and former students and postdoctoral scholars. It recognizes their work and innovations in a very special way," he said.
Qi's research is focused on the mechanics and 3D printing of soft active materials to enable 4D printing methods and the recycling of thermosetting polymers. He has developed several material models to describe the multiphysics and chemomechanical behaviors of soft active materials. He also pioneered several multimaterial 3D printing approaches that allow the integration of different polymers and functional materials into one system.
Melkote's primary area of research is manufacturing, and his secondary area of research is tribology, specifically in the science of precision material removal processes, new manufacturing process development including novel surface modification methods, the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to solve complex problems in manufacturing, and advanced industrial robotics for precision manufacturing.
Melkote also credited the efforts and support of his students and colleagues. "This recognition would not have been possible without the high level of creativity and outstanding efforts of my graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, the support of my colleagues and mentors at Georgia Tech and beyond, and the opportunities and resources provided to me by the Woodruff School. I am truly grateful to all of them."
Both will be presented with their awards at upcoming ASME events. Melkote will receive his award at the ASME Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, June 17-21, in Knoxville, TN, and Qi will receive his at the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 17-21, in Portland, OR.
]]>Kinaxis, a global leader in supply chain orchestration, and the NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT) at Georgia Tech today announced a new co-innovation partnership. This partnership will focus on developing scalable artificial intelligence (AI) and optimization solutions to address the growing complexity of global supply chains. AI4OPT operates under Tech AI, Georgia Tech’s AI hub, bringing together interdisciplinary expertise to advance real-world AI applications.
This particular collaboration builds on a multi-year relationship between Kinaxis and Georgia Tech, strengthening their shared commitment to turn academic innovation into real-world supply chain impact. The collaboration will span joint research, real-world applications, thought leadership, guest lectures, and student internships.
“In collaboration with AI4OPT, Kinaxis is exploring how the fusion of machine learning and optimization may bring a step change in capabilities for the next generation of supply chain management systems,” said Pascal Van Hentenryck, the A. Russell Chandler III Chair and professor at Georgia Tech, and director of AI4OPT and Tech AI at Georgia Tech.
Kinaxis’ AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro™, combines proprietary technologies and techniques to deliver real-time transparency, agility, and decision-making across the entire supply chain — from multi-year strategic orchestration to last-mile delivery. As global supply chains face increasing disruptions from tariffs, pandemics, extreme weather, and geopolitical events, the Kinaxis–AI4OPT partnership will focus on developing AI-driven strategies to enhance companies’ responsiveness and resilience.
“At Kinaxis, we recognize the vital role that academic research plays in shaping the future of supply chain orchestration,” said Chief Technology Officer Gelu Ticala. “By partnering with world-class institutions like Georgia Tech, we’re closing the gap between AI innovation and implementation, bringing cutting-edge ideas into practice to solve the industry’s most pressing challenges.”
With more than 40 years of supply chain leadership, Kinaxis supports some of the world’s most complex industries, including high-tech, life sciences, industrial, mobility, consumer products, chemical, and oil and gas. Its customers include Unilever, P&G, Ford, Subaru, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Ipsen, and Santen.
About Kinaxis
Kinaxis is a global leader in modern supply chain orchestration, powering complex global supply chains and supporting the people who manage them, in service of humanity. Our powerful, AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro™, combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain — from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. We are trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate today’s volatility and disruption. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About AI4OPT
The NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT) is one of the 27 National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes set up by the National Science Foundation to conduct use-inspired research and realize the potential of AI. The AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT) is focused on AI for Engineering and is conducting cutting-edge research at the intersection of learning, optimization, and generative AI to transform decision making at massive scales, driven by applications in supply chains, energy systems, chip design and manufacturing, and sustainable food systems. AI4OPT brings together over 80 faculty and students from Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley, University of Southern California, UC San Diego, Clark Atlanta University, and the University of Texas at Arlington, working together with industrial partners that include Intel, Google, UPS, Ryder, Keysight, Southern Company, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. To learn more, visit ai4opt.org.
About Tech AI
Tech AI is Georgia Tech's hub for artificial intelligence research, education, and responsible deployment. With over $120 million in active AI research funding, including more than $60 million in NSF support for five AI Research Institutes, Tech AI drives innovation through cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and real-world applications. With over 370 papers published at top AI conferences and workshops, Tech AI is a leader in advancing AI-driven engineering, mobility, and enterprise solutions. Through strategic collaborations, Tech AI bridges the gap between AI research and industry, optimizing supply chains, enhancing cybersecurity, advancing autonomous systems, and transforming healthcare and manufacturing. Committed to workforce development, Tech AI provides AI education across all levels, from K-12 outreach to undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as specialized certifications. These initiatives equip students with hands-on experience, industry exposure, and the technical expertise needed to lead in AI-driven industries. Bringing AI to the world through innovation, collaboration, and partnerships. Visit tech.ai.gatech.edu.
This collaboration between Kinaxis NSF AI4OPT at Georgia Tech builds on a multi-year relationship between Kinaxis and Georgia Tech, strengthening their shared commitment to turn academic innovation into real-world supply chain impact. The collaboration will span joint research, real-world applications, thought leadership, guest lectures, and student internships.
]]>Tracing between the lines of code, Salinas made a discovery: A character was missing.
The lesson was an important, real-world example of the problem-solving skills required when working in robotics. Salinas is one of a half-dozen students enrolled in the new AI Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing program at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center, which is setting a new standard for technology-focused careers.
The set-up of the lab was intentional, said Stoops, who designed the course modules and worked with local industry to determine their manufacturing needs. Then, with funding from the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute's (GTMI) Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) project, Stoops worked with administrators at Central Georgia Technical College to purchase robotics and other cutting-edge manufacturing tools.
As a result, the VECTR Center’s AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing Studio trains veterans in industry-standard robotics, manufacturing modules, cameras, and network systems. This equipment gives students experience in a variety of robotics-based manufacturing applications. Graduates can also finish the 17-credit course with two certifications that carry some weight in the manufacturing world.
“After getting the Georgia AIM grant, we pulled together a roundtable with industry. And then we did site visits to see how they pulled AI and robotics into the space,” said Stoops. “All the equipment in here is the direct result of industry feedback.”
Funded by a $65 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration, Georgia AIM is a network of projects across the state born out of GTMI and led by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. These projects work to connect the manufacturing community with smart technologies and a ready workforce. Central Georgia received around $4 million as part of the initiative to advance innovation, workforce development and STEM education in support of local manufacturing and Robins Air Force Base.
Georgia AIM pulls together a host of regional partners all working toward a common goal of increasing STEM education, access to technology and enhancing AI among local manufacturers. This partnership includes Fort Valley State University, the Middle Georgia Innovation Project led by the Development Authority of Houston County, Central Georgia Technical College, which administers the VECTR Center, and the 21st Century Partnership.
“This grant will help us turn our vision for both the Middle Georgia Innovation Project and the Middle Georgia STEM Alliance, along with our partners, into reality, advancing this region and supporting the future of Robins AFB,” said Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, USAF (ret.), president and chief executive officer of the 21st Century Partnership.
Georgia AIM funding for Central Georgia Technical College and Fort Valley State focused on enhancing technology and purchasing new components to assist in education. At Fort Valley State, a mobile lab will launch later this year to take AI-enhanced technologies to underserved parts of the state, while Central Georgia Tech invested in an AI-enhanced robotics manufacturing lab at the VECTR Center.
“This funding will help bring emerging technology throughout our service area and beyond, to our students, economy, and Robins Air Force Base,” said Dr. Ivan Allen, president of Central Georgia Technical College. “Thanks to the power of this partnership, our faculty and students will have the opportunity to work directly with modern manufacturing technology, giving our students the experience and education needed to transition from the classroom to the workforce in an in-demand industry.”
The VECTR Center’s AI-Enhanced Robotics Manufacturing Studio includes FANUC robotic systems, Rockwell Automation programmable logic controllers, Cognex AI-enabled machine vision systems, smart sensor networks, and a MiR autonomous mobile robot.
The studio graduated its first cohort of students in February and celebrated its ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 17 with a host of local officials and dignitaries. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the students, who are transitioning from a military career to civilian life.
The new technologies at the VECTR Center lab are opening new doors to a growing, cutting-edge field.
“From being in this class, you really start to see how the world is going toward AI. Not just Chat GPT, but everything — the world is going toward AI for sure now,” said Jordan Leonard, who worked in logistics and as a vehicle mechanic in the U.S. Army. Now, he’s upskilling into robotics and looking forward to using his new skills in maintenance. “What I want to do is go to school for instrumentation and electrical technician. But since a lot of industrial plants are trying to get more robots, for me this will be a step up from my coworkers by knowing these things.”
]]>The multi-state tour was designed to showcase ways the Biden-Harris administration has built economic opportunity, supported communities, and is investing in traditionally underserved areas. Georgia AIM is an example of this, as it helps to expand technology training, job opportunities and advances for manufacturing across the state. Along with Georgia AIM, the Georgia Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (Georgia MBC), and Southeast Business Hub, programs of Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, also attended the event at the Georgia International Convention Center, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“This event was a great opportunity to introduce the vice president to the work of Georgia AIM,” said Donna Ennis, co-director of Georgia AIM, which works to drive adoption of AI in U.S. manufacturing. “We were founded as part of the federal government’s Build Back Better plan. It’s important for her to see how we are putting the grant to work to deliver equity in artificial intelligence for manufacturing in Georgia.”
Prior to the arrival of Vice President Harris, attendees could visit tables set up in the entry hall and learn about a number of organizations, from banks to nonprofits to governmental agencies, that are working to level the playing field for underserved Georgians. Attendees included representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Rise, and Brunswick Job Corps Center.
The Georgia AIM table, staffed by Ryan Scott, the community engagement manager, and Kyle Saleeby, research engineer with Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI), was a popular stop, thanks to the tabletop “cobot” showing how robotics can be used in manufacturing and an array of 3-D printed industrial materials.
The program featured a conversation with Harris and financial literacy and business advice podcasters Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, from Earn Your Leisure. The podcast has an audience of about 2 million people, a majority of whom are Black. Harris spoke to the crowd of approximately 400 people about the administration’s focus on access to capital for minority small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“One of the compelling reasons for me to start this tour now,” Harris said, “is to ask all the leaders here for help in getting the word out about what is available to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Because we are in the process of putting a lot of money in the streets of America.”
Some of those funds have gone to Enterprise Innovation Institute programs, including $65 million for Georgia AIM.
Georgia senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and Rep. Nikema Williams also spoke at the event. Prior to the event, they joined Harris at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs(RICE), a partner project with Georgia AIM. RICE is developing a mobile lab with researchers at the University of Georgia College of Engineering that will showcase AI-based technologies to communities across the state.
“It was exciting to hear first-hand about the administration’s commitment to equity in small businesses and entrepreneurship,” Ennis said. “It dovetails perfectly with the commitment of the programs of the Enterprise Innovation Institute.”
]]>GTRI is leading the development of an integrated artificial intelligence response hub for Southwest Georgia to help communities streamline disaster management and logistics. The hub aims to enhance resilience and response efficiency of these communities, potentially saving lives and reducing economic losses. GTRI is collaborating in this effort with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC), a regional planning agency that serves 14 counties and 44 cities in Southwest Georgia. The SWGRC focuses on ecosystem building in the areas of manufacturing in food production, manufacturing start-ups, supply chain logistics and workforce development.
“This will be a centralized platform that key stakeholders in Southwest Georgia can use to manage various disruption scenarios,” said GTRI Senior Research Engineer Francisco Valdes, who is leading this project.
This project is one of several initiatives undertaken by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), a $65 million federal grant awarded to Georgia Tech and a coalition of partners across the state, including the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute.
She wanted to connect her experience in manufacturing with her burgeoning interest in data science but wasn’t sure which way to turn. Then, she stumbled upon a job opportunity that brought both into one path forward: A fellowship focused on artificial intelligence in manufacturing through the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, or PIN.
“I happened upon this fellowship and the vertical I landed on was AI in manufacturing, which was a good marriage of the two disciplines,” said Cook, who began the one-year paid position over the summer. The PIN fellowship, part of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, places early career professionals into public and private opportunities.
The fellowship is made possible through support from Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, or Georgia AIM. Georgia AIM supports several PIN fellows each year through the AI in Manufacturing vertical. Participants spend six months working on a research project through the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and then six months with a partner company where they focus on a project that enhances the use of smart technologies.
Cook recently completed her first six-month rotation as a researcher with the Melkote Advanced Manufacturing Research Group at Georgia Tech, working with GTMI Associate Director Shreyes Melkote. She is now in her next role at Carbice, an Atlanta semiconductor manufacturer.
That’s the interesting part of the PIN fellowship: those accepted into the program gain experience in both the public and private sectors. Upon completing the program, fellows enter the workforce with a unique, innovative skillset that contributes to the emerging roles AI is creating in manufacturing.
The PIN program also helps address a gap in the workforce. There is a growing need for professionals who understand AI and smart technologies, and the program’s public/private partnership provides useful training and experience to early career professionals who are eager to solve these challenges.
In Cook’s case, her first job after college was with a small manufacturer doing engineering design and CAD work. Her role expanded a bit to accommodate her data analytics background while working on her master’s degree practicum project. But due to the size of the company, her work returned to strictly engineering after she graduated. In contrast, through the PIN fellowship, Cook is working on developing machine learning models that can be used to search for parts in a database of CAD designs. This would allow manufacturers looking for CAD drawings or 3D models to find similar parts with designs already created, saving time by giving engineers a starting point. This research allows her to leverage both her analytics and engineering knowledge.
"I feel like I am learning a lot,” said Cook. The research position allows her to apply theoretical knowledge from her master’s degree in a research environment. “That’s been very interesting and eye-opening. I’m still early in my career and my only experience is fairly traditional corporate jobs, so working in the realm of the unknown is a different situation. With research, you’re just exploring and have no assurances that what you’re doing is going to work. ”
Moving to Carbice for the second half of her fellowship adds another layer of learning, she added, because it’s one thing to test out a theory in a lab; it’s different when you are working for a company that needs to see results.
“Working in the private sector allows you to identify and reality-check the needs of actual workplaces,” she added. “Because sometimes you have a compelling idea and interesting research, but in a corporate setting, first, is it useful, and second, if it is useful, is it even something the industry wants or is willing to adopt?”
This is a paradox Cook will face not only during the second half of her fellowship, but also going forward in her career. The foundational experiences attained through the PIN fellowship will give Cook an edge as she moves into her next role. Many manufacturers are interested in adopting AI and smart technologies, but the challenge is in identifying problems to solve.
Cook said she is confident the fellowship will give her new insights that can be beneficial to future employers. The program also offers networking opportunities and connections with respected professionals that will be beneficial in years to come, she added.
“It’s really good to have both the public and private perspectives. And because I’ve worked in a couple different manufacturing environments, I’m interested in how different my manufacturing rotation will be and if I can identify patterns, similar issues, or inefficiencies. And all that is useful knowledge to have,” she said. “For me specifically, the content of this work is going to be very helpful in tying my whole resume together.”
For more details on the AI and Manufacturing-focused PIN fellowship supported by Georgia AIM, visit the PIN website.
]]>“An individual faculty’s lab focuses on showing the innovation or the new science that they discovered,” said Aaron Stebner, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “At that point, the business case hasn't been made for the technology yet — there's no testing on an industrial system to know if it breaks or if it scales up. A lot of innovation and scientific discovery dies there.”
The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) launched the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AMPF) in 2017 to help bridge that gap.
Now, GTMI is breaking ground on an extensive expansion to bring new capabilities in automation, artificial intelligence, and data management to the facility.
“This will be the first facility of this size that's being intentionally designed to enable AI to perform research and development in materials and manufacturing at the same time,” said Stebner, “setting up GTMI as not just a leader in Georgia, but a leader in automation and AI in manufacturing across the country.”
Located just north of Georgia Tech’s main campus, APMF is a 20,000-square-foot facility serving as a teaching laboratory, technology test bed, and workforce development space for manufacturing innovations.
“The pilot facility,” says Stebner, “is meant to be a place where stakeholders in academic research, government, industry, and workforce development can come together and develop both the workforce that is needed for future technologies, as well as mature, de-risk, and develop business cases for new technologies — proving them out to the point where it makes sense for industry to pick them up.”
In addition to serving as the flagship facility for GTMI research and the state’s Georgia AIM (Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing) project, the AMPF is a user facility accessible to Georgia Tech’s industry partners as well as the Institute’s faculty, staff, and students.
“We have all kinds of great capabilities and technologies, plus staff that can train students, postdocs, and faculty on how to use them,” said Stebner, who also serves as co-director of the GTMI-affiliated Georgia AIM project. “It creates a unique asset for Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students.”
The renovation of APMF is a key component of the $65 million grant, awarded to Georgia Tech by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration in 2022, which gave rise to the Georgia AIM project. With over $23 million in support from Georgia AIM, the improved facility will feature new workforce training programs, personnel, and equipment.
Set to complete in Spring 2026, the Institute’s investment of $16 million supports construction that will roughly triple the size of the facility — and work to address a major roadblock for incorporating AI and automation into manufacturing practices: data.
“There’s a lot of work going on across the world in using machine learning in engineering problems, including manufacturing, but it's limited in scale-up and commercial adoption,” explained Stebner.
Machine learning algorithms have the potential to make manufacturing more efficient, but they need a lot of reliable, repeatable data about the processes and materials involved to be effective. Collecting that data manually is monotonous, costly, and time-consuming.
“The idea is to automate those functions that we need to enable AI and machine learning” in manufacturing, says Stebner. “Let it be a facility where you can imagine new things and push new boundaries and not just be stuck in demonstrating concepts over and over again.”
To make that possible, the expanded facility will couple AI and data management with robotic automation.
“We're going to be able to demonstrate automation from the very beginning of our process all the way through the entire ecosystem of manufacturing,” said Steven Sheffield, GTMI’s senior assistant director of research operations.
“This expansion — no one else has done anything like it,” added Steven Ferguson, principal research scientist with GTMI and managing director of Georgia AIM. “We will have the leading facility for demonstrating what a hyperconnected and AI-driven manufacturing enterprise looks like. We’re setting the stage for Georgia Tech to continue to lead in the manufacturing space for the next decade and beyond.”
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The flat, wheeled robot gingerly moved across the floor, aiming for a taped square in the far corner.
Suddenly, someone stepped into its path. The robot stopped, blinked its lights, then carefully turned to a slightly different path. Its goal remained the same, but it adjusted the route on the fly.
“This is an autonomous mobile robot,” explained Sean Madhavaraman, project manager specializing in industry 4.0 strategy and leadership development for the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2). “No programming experience is necessary, and it can map a room by itself. It’s also very safe — you can step in front of it, and it will reroute.”
That demonstration was one of several on display at a recent event hosted by EI2’s Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) and the Georgia MBDA Business Center. The program of speakers, a tour and a panel discussion took place at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility and served as an introduction into the world of artificial intelligence.
With about 50 manufacturers and engineers in attendance, the goal of the event was twofold, said Donna Ennis, Georgia AIM co-director. First, it served as an introduction to the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, which conducts research on new manufacturing technologies through its public-private partnerships. But also, it was an opportunity for manufacturers of all sizes to learn about the roles AI can play in their processes.
“Artificial intelligence has the power to bring transformative change to our manufacturers and our workforce, but it can seem overwhelming — where do you start?” Ennis said. “We wanted to create an opportunity to show manufacturers that you don’t need a large investment or a large time commitment to begin to implement AI. Think about your process, explore your options, and use the resources we have available to you.”
A Statewide Initiative
Georgia AIM was created through a $65 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant funds 17 projects/ subprojects throughout the state that work in education, manufacturing, workforce development and new technologies. At its core, Ennis said, Georgia AIM is working to reach all Georgia residents — specifically residents in communities underrepresented in manufacturing spaces, including veterans; women; Black, indigenous and people of color; rural residents; and older workers — and empower them to fully participate in a diverse AI manufacturing workforce.
In the area of workforce development, the grant supports programs that upskill adults in the workforce, as well as programs that reach K-12 students, technical college students and those attending four-year universities. For example, Georgia AIM is supporting the construction of a new lab at South Georgia Regional Technical College that will train students and area residents on new technologies in food processing—a key industry in that region.
Another project partner, Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC) is developing curricula and educational materials for K-12 students and hosts regional STEM-based competitions to promote science and technology.
Other projects are connecting with communities to help train the workforce on AI technologies. A partnership between the University of Georgia and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is developing a mobile lab stocked with technology “vignettes” — self-contained examples of real-world AI applications.
This mobile lab, as well as two others developed by Middle Georgia’s 21st Century Partnership, will travel across the state to work with schools and community organizations. The goal is to introduce underserved communities to AI technologies and open new doors to employees—and employers.
“We recognize that not every community across the state has had equal access to these new technologies. We want to break down those barriers,” added Ennis. “By taking these smart technologies to traditionally underserved communities, we aim to inspire and encourage Georgia’s workforce. This technology has the power to be transformative for our manufacturing community.”
Other programs offered by Georgia AIM focus on manufacturers and adoption of new technologies. And that was part of the presentation offered by Ennis and project co-director Aaron Stebner, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science engineering at Georgia Tech. In addition to workforce development and deployment, Georgia AIM also offers cybersecurity assessments and assistance with technology development and deployment for manufacturers.
For example, the GaMEP project provides a range of assistance, including cyber assessments, gap assessments and automation training. Another partner, EI2’s Advanced Technology Development Center, assists new tech startups and can help connect them with manufacturers that could use the technology. And Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility provides a space for companies to try new technologies without losing time on their own manufacturing line.
“We’re really a proving ground for new technology adoption,” Stebner said. The Georgia AIM grant is funding an expansion of the facility, which will allow for more smart technologies in the space.
“Our plan is to integrate autonomous robots and build out the manufacturing units to provide even more examples of manufacturing integrating with smart technologies.”
The facility’s new Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium is a member-based group that connects industry with academic and government research resources. Consortium members gain access to facility equipment, workforce training programs, new manufacturing systems and networking opportunities with other members. (For details, visit ampf.research.gatech. edu/how-engage.)
AI: More than ‘the spice’
But first, Ennis and Stebner told the manufacturers and business owners gathered at the manufacturing pilot facility, it was important to take stock of their current processes and think of where automation might occur. Start small and identify repetitive motions or places where human-machine collaborations might occur. Perhaps adding some sensors could help predict a mechanical failure, or a small automation might make a process more streamlined.
During a tour of the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, attendees met graduate students who specialize in metals, 3-D printing technologies and other areas and got first-hand looks at new innovations in action. Some stations at the facility represented old practices merged with updated technology — such as a welder merged with a computer numerical control (CNC) device to automate its movements. In other places, entirely new technologies, such as large-format 3-D scanners, helped attendees think about new production methods that might incorporate smart technology.
Madhavaraman and other GaMEP representatives demonstrated the use of sensors, collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots in the manufacturing process. Attendees were intrigued, especially as Madhavaraman explained how the robots could be integrated into a manufacturing process to work alongside a person.
“That’s why we call them ‘co-bots,’ not robots,” he said. “Collaborative robots are great for packaging and palleting products. No programming experience is necessary — you can use a tablet to tell the robot what to do or point the robot in the direction you want it to go.”
Before the event closed, a panel of three experts fielded questions from Madhavaraman on AI adoption and making the leap into smart technologies. The panel included Mitchell Tartar, project engineer with CJB Industries; Sentil Ramamurthy, senior engineer with Novelis; and Subbu Vishnubhatia, director of project management for Hexagon Management Intelligence.
In addition to addressing workforce needs, the panel stressed that manufacturers walk — not run — toward embracing smart technologies. Find the pinch points, start collecting data and think about small, holistic changes, they said.
“AI is not the spice in the dish that makes it very tasty,” said Vishnubhatia. He and the other panel members agreed it is best to start small. Incorporating smart technologies doesn’t need to be overly expensive or time-consuming — but it does require managers and employees to think outside the box.
And, getting buy-in from those who work with manufacturing. Not only is training imperative, added Tartar, but it’s important to have everyone on board with adopting new technology. Change is hard, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
“Involve your people—they are going to know when the data is wrong,” she said. “You don’t need to do it all at once; if you want to get involved with AI, you can really break those costs down and do it a little piece at a time.”
For more information on Georgia AIM and the opportunities provided through its partner projects, visit: georgiaaim.org
This article was originally published by Georgia Pathways Magazine, Feb. 2024, a publication of the Technology Association of Georgia.
]]>“OPEN MIND’s commitment to the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium and support of manufacturing education enables students to leverage top-tier CAD/CAM software for collaborative development of Hybrid AM/CNC technologies. Together, we look forward to pushing the boundaries of precision manufacturing,” said Kyle Saleeby, Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium’s research program director and research engineer at Georgia Tech.
Consortium research projects cover an extensive range of topics that seek cost effectiveness, piloting new manufacturing systems, accelerating product development cycles, and adopting Industry 4.0 technologies. In addition to technology development focused on additive manufacturing, participating Georgia Tech graduate students have continued to push forth research positions within the U.S. National laboratory system, such as Sandia, NIST, Oak Ridge, and Los Alamos National Labs, or have taken industrial roles in top engineering and manufacturing companies including Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Caterpillar, Ford, Delta TechOps, and Georgia Pacific.
Alan Levine, managing director of OPEN MIND Technologies USA, notes that, “We are very pleased to join the Georgia Tech Consortium which provides a great opportunity to participate in leading research and connect with other members focused on advancing manufacturing. The Consortium offers a unique opportunity to expand OPEN MIND’s collaboration with Georgia Tech to the full membership and their specialized projects."
About OPEN MIND Technologies
OPEN MIND is one of the world’s most sought-after developers of powerful and innovative CAD/CAM solutions for machine and controller-independent NC programming. The company designs technologically optimized CAD/CAM solutions that include a large number of unique features to deliver significantly higher performance in both programming and cutting machining processes. With its CAM software hyperMILL®, OPEN MIND offers a wide range of outstanding 2.5D, 3D, 5‑axis milling and turning strategies, as well as special applications. OPEN MIND is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in cutting-edge 5‑axis CAD/CAM technologies.
To learn more visit: www.openmind-tech.com
About the Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its more than 45,000 undergraduate and graduate students, representing 50 states and more than 148 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.
Hosted by the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AMPF) is a 20,000 square foot reconfigurable research and development high bay manufacturing facility in Midtown Atlanta supporting industrial, academic, and government stakeholders that also serves as a teaching laboratory. Recently, Georgia Tech and the AMPF facility are supporting a statewide initiative that combines artificial intelligence and manufacturing innovations with transformational workforce and outreach programs. AMPF is where industry works alongside researchers and students to take early-stage concepts from idea to reality.
]]>(Left to Right) Kyle Saleeby - Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium Research Program Director, Alan Levine – OPEN MIND Managing Director for North America, Prof. Aaron Stebner – GA-AIM and Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium Executive Director.
]]>Melkote was nominated for his contributions to building and growing industry partnerships through the Georgia Tech-Boeing University Innovation Program and the Novelis Innovation Hub at Georgia Tech.
“Shreyes has invested considerable time and effort to build enduring professional relationships with these industry partners which has ensured that the partnerships deliver long-term benefits to Georgia Tech faculty and students in their research and educational endeavors while enabling external partners to achieve their current and future technology and workforce development objectives,” said Devesh Ranjan, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair.
More than 169 graduate students and 81 undergraduate students along with several post-doctoral students, visiting scholars, and research engineers have benefited from industry support in programs led and fostered by Melkote.
Melkote also serves as the associate director for the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI). GTMI is Georgia Tech's interdisciplinary research institute tackling the challenges facing manufacturers and helping to insure future global competitiveness. Recently, Georgia Tech’s advanced manufacturing pilot facility managed by GTMI is supporting a statewide initiative that combines artificial intelligence and manufacturing innovations with transformational workforce and outreach programs called Georgia AIM.
“Shreyes has a passion for initiating collaborative industry and student partnerships that address strategic challenges faced by industry,” said Thomas Kurfess, chief manufacturing officer of the Georgia Institute of Technology and the executive director of GTMI. “He is an important part of Georgia Tech’s advanced manufacturing leadership helping to make the U.S. more globally competitive by engaging our best students and offering them valuable industry insight with world-class companies.”
]]>Steven Ferguson, who begins March 16 as a principal research scientist with the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, comes to Georgia AIM from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). In his previous role, Ferguson served as chief information officer, where he led information technology, research, innovation, and data enterprises across Georgia’s technical colleges.
Now, Ferguson will leverage his experience working in technical education and workforce development to connect with Georgia companies. In this new role, he will also be the executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium. This new collaborative within Georgia AIM gives manufacturers exclusive access to emerging technologies at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility.
“I’m excited to join the team at Georgia Tech as I will get to work extremely close with both manufacturers and the research community,” said Ferguson. “For years, I’ve helped translate knowledge gained through research into hands-on training for the workforce. Now, I get to dedicate my time to that — I’m committed to working hand-in-hand to bridge the knowledge gap and get cutting-edge technology to Georgia’s manufacturers.”
Ferguson said one of his passions is serving the incumbent workforce — specifically, employees who have significant on-the-job experience. This will be key in his new role with the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium, Ferguson said, as he can work closely with manufacturers to better understand their current and future workforce needs.
Addressing gaps in the workforce is also a main goal for Georgia AIM, which is working to connect artificial intelligence to manufacturers across the state. Automation, collaborative robots, sensors, and data collection are all part of smart technologies revolutionizing manufacturing. But a trained workforce is essential in order to implement these changes.
After a long and successful career with TCSG, Ferguson said he is eager to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with Georgia AIM.
“To truly integrate AI technology into manufacturing, we need to ensure that the incumbent workforce is not just familiar but comfortable with these advancements,” he said. “While manufacturing inherently focuses on production, our aim is to make technology a fundamental aspect of this sector’s growth and evolution.”
View the story on Georgia AIM's website >>
]]>“This IAC is a great example of the ways in which Georgia Tech is serving all of Georgia and the Southeast,” said Tim Lieuwen, executive director of Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and Regents’ Professor and holder of the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering.
“We support numerous small and medium-sized enterprises in rural, suburban, and urban areas, bringing the technical expertise of Georgia Tech to bear in solving real-world problems faced by our small businesses.”
Georgia Tech’s IAC, which serves Georgia, South Carolina, and North Florida, is administered jointly by the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), part of the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2). The organization has performed thousands of assessments since its inception in the 1980s – usually at the rate of 15 to 20 per year – and typically identifies upwards of 10% in energy savings for clients.
The assessment team, overseen by IAC associate director Kelly Grissom, comprises faculty and student engineers from Georgia Tech and the Florida A&M University/Florida State University College of Engineering.
In addition, Georgia Tech leads the Southeastern IACs Center of Excellence, which partners the institution with fellow University System of Georgia (USG) entity Kennesaw State University, local HBCU Clark Atlanta University, and neighboring state capital HBCU Florida A&M University.
Although mechanical engineering has historically been the chief area of concentration for IAC’s interns, the program currently accepts students across a range of disciplines. “Increased diversity from that standpoint enriches the potential of the recommendations we can make,” said Grissom.
Students are integral to the program, as is Grissom’s role in facilitating their experiences with client engagement and technical recommendations.
“Kelly is the reason our program has been recognized,” said Randy Green, energy and sustainability services group manager at GaMEP. “He works tirelessly to ensure that assessments are accomplished with success for our manufacturers and students.”
“We also recognize our partnership with the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and with IAC program lead Comas Haynes, Ph.D., who works diligently to keep us on track and connected with our sponsors at the U.S. Department of Energy,” Green added.
The DoE accolade represents “a ‘one Georgia Tech’ win,” symbolic of the synergistic relationships forged across the Institute, said Haynes, who also serves as the Hydrogen Initiative Lead at Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and Energy branch head in the Intelligent Sustainable Technologies Division at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Haynes specifically cited Green’s “technical prowess and managerial oversight” as another key to the IAC program’s success.
Said Devesh Ranjan, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, “It is truly an honor for Georgia Tech to be named the Department of Energy Industrial (Training and) Assessment Center of the Year. Clean energy and manufacturing have been a focus for the Institute and the Woodruff School for a long time, and GTRI, EI2, and SEI have collaboratively done phenomenal work in helping manufacturers save energy, improve productivity, and reduce waste.”
To check eligibility and apply for assistance from Georgia Tech’s IAC, click here.
]]>eve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu
]]>Predicting the future of supply chains has always been a challenging endeavor. As someone who has spent more than 25 years in the beverage industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand how even the most well thought out predictions can miss the mark. Yet, understanding where we went wrong in the past can equip us with the tools to better anticipate and adapt to future challenges.
In this article, I want to explore the complexities of forecasting in the supply chain realm, reflect on some past predictions that didn’t quite hit the target, and suggest actionable strategies that can help us navigate the uncertainties ahead.
The supply chain, particularly in the beverage industry, is a complex web of interdependencies. As we push for innovation—from new ingredients to advanced packaging—our supply chains often struggle to keep pace. Historically, the challenges of maintaining quality, managing costs, and ensuring timely delivery have been compounded by global disruptions, technological advancements, and evolving consumer expectations.
In the 1990s, for example, the advent of RFID technology was hailed as a gamechanger, promising unparalleled visibility and efficiency. While RFID has undoubtedly transformed many aspects of supply chain management, its adoption has been slower and less impactful than originally anticipated. Similarly, the introduction of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems was expected to revolutionize the way businesses managed their operations. Yet, the promised seamless integration and real time data accuracy have often fallen short, leading to frustrations and costly implementations.
These examples highlight a critical lesson: while technological advancements hold great promise, their real-world application can be fraught with challenges that delay or dilute their impact.
One of the most striking examples of a prediction that didn’t pan out as expected is the Just in Time (JIT) manufacturing model. Initially, JIT was celebrated for its potential to minimize waste and reduce inventory costs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of this approach. As supply chains were disrupted worldwide, many companies found themselves unable to meet demand due to the lack of buffer stock. This has led to a reevaluation of the JIT model, with many businesses now looking to build more resilience into their supply chains by maintaining higher levels of inventory.
Another lesson comes from the early 2000s, when global sourcing was predicted to be the ultimate cost saving strategy. While it did lead to significant cost reductions, it also introduced new risks—ranging from quality control issues to geopolitical tensions—that have since prompted companies to reconsider the balance between cost savings and supply chain security.
One of the inherent risks in predicting supply chain trends is that it often leads to an overreliance on certain strategies or technologies. For instance, the push towards automation and robotics, while offering substantial benefits in terms of efficiency and cost savings, has also led to significant challenges. The initial costs, integration difficulties, and the need for upskilling workers have often been underestimated, leading to delays and unfulfilled promises.
Moreover, as we’ve seen with technologies like blockchain and AI, the hype often outpaces the reality. While these technologies have immense potential to transform supply chain management, their implementation has been slower and more complex than initially expected. This lag can create a false sense of security, leading companies to delay the adoption of alternative strategies or to underinvest in more immediately impactful areas.
Given the inherent challenges of predicting the future, how can companies better prepare for what lies ahead? Here are a few strategies that can help:
Predicting the future of supply chains is a daunting task, but it’s one that we must continually strive to master. By learning from past mistakes and adopting a proactive, flexible approach, we can better navigate the challenges ahead and turn potential disruptions into opportunities for growth and innovation. As we look to the future, let’s remember that while predictions can guide us, it’s our ability to adapt and respond to the unexpected that will ultimately determine our success.
The biggest challenges include the complexity of global supply chains, the rapid pace of technological change, and the unpredictable nature of global disruptions. These factors make it difficult to accurately forecast future trends and adapt to new developments.
Companies can build more resilient supply chains by diversifying their suppliers, maintaining higher inventory levels, investing in flexible production systems, and fostering strong relationships with partners. Additionally, leveraging predictive analytics can help companies anticipate disruptions and respond more effectively.
Technology plays a critical role in modern supply chains, offering tools for real-time tracking, predictive analytics, and automation. However, the implementation of new technologies often comes with challenges, such as high costs and integration difficulties, which must be carefully managed.
Sustainability is increasingly important as consumers demand more environmentally friendly products. Companies that prioritize sustainability in their supply chains can reduce waste, improve efficiency, and better meet the expectations of consumers and regulators.
To stay ahead, companies should embrace flexibility, invest in new technologies, foster strong partnerships, prioritize sustainability, and continually adapt to new developments. Staying informed about industry trends and best practices is also crucial.
Past disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the importance of resilience, flexibility, and strong partnerships. Companies that learn from these events and adapt their strategies accordingly will be better positioned to navigate future challenges.
Chris Gaffney, SCL Managing Director
Trigger’s interest in artificial intelligence (AI) led him to a manufacturing course at the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center in Warner Robins, Georgia. With support from the Georgia Tech-led Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing program (Georgia AIM), the center trains veterans in robotics using cutting-edge AI manufacturing technologies.
Read Michael's story at Georgia Tech Research.
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