AI is beginning to generate real business value
William Smedberg, Portfolio Manager for AI and Automation at Sandvik, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the mining, rock processing and manufacturing industries. The world has shifted from merely wanting AI to expecting tangible results.
From AI hype to real business impact
William Smedberg is focusing on enabling efficient AI usage, ensuring that AI projects at Sandvik deliver real business value.
“Last year, everyone just wanted some kind of AI; they got a sense of what it was and what it could mean for them,” Smedberg says. “This year, everyone wants to get a return on investment from the money they have put into AI.”
He shares some of the opportunities Sandvik sees for AI, spanning predictive maintenance for mining and rock processing equipment, improving manufacturing efficiency and onboarding, as well as optimizing logistics.
"In predictive maintenance, we can see from the data that something is about to happen with this machine. We don’t have to wait for a failure; we can proactively call the customer and suggest a fix before it happens."
What’s next for AI in business?
Beyond operational efficiency, AI is reshaping customer interactions. Smedberg explains how AI can help operators troubleshoot complex machinery without relying on manuals or support calls.
He envisions a future where AI continues to integrate into daily business processes and shares his views on AI development the coming year.
“I think people want to know what's next on the technology radar. What if everything comes together in one beautiful symphony, completely replacing something that we thought was human.”
Meet Sandvik Podcast
In each episode of the podcast Meet Sandvik you will meet different persons that give their perspective on Sandvik. Sometimes it´s an employee telling his or her story. Sometimes you will meet experts discussing how a hot topic can affect Sandvik.