Cutting-edge technologies, including robot Dawgs and a new AI-equipped mobile studio, took center stage at the University of Georgia’s National Manufacturing Day celebration on October 4, 2024.
National Manufacturing Day, observed annually on the first Friday in October, highlights modern advancements in manufacturing across the country. This year, UGA’s Innovation Factory opened its doors and the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (AIM) unveiled its brand-new mobile studio at the Interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (I-STEM) Research Complex.
The event marked the end of Georgia AIM Week, a series of events highlighting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing and how it can transform communities and jobs. Throughout the week, participants explored how AI-driven innovations are poised to reshape industries and communities across Georgia and beyond.
Georgia AIM, launched in September 2022, is funded by a $65 million federal Economic Development Administration grant. The project 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 to connect economic development with AI in manufacturing to foster advancements in innovation and workforce development.
Speakers at the October 4th event included College of Engineering associate professor Beshoy Morkos and interim dean Stephan Durham, and Georgia AIM co-director Donna Ennis. Special guests from King’s Hawaiian and Boehringer Ingelheim shared insights into their manufacturing operations during a “Spotlight on Manufacturing” speaker session.
Writer: Lillian Ballance