Transforming component manufacturing with AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping component manufacturing, bringing significant productivity improvements and new ways of working. In the latest Meet Sandvik podcast, Magnus Malmström, Chief Technology Officer at Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions, discusses how AI is evolving within the industry and how Sandvik is leveraging its capabilities to drive efficiency and innovation.
Malmström emphasizes that AI in manufacturing is not entirely new, but recent advancements—particularly in generative AI—have made it more accessible and cost-effective.
"It used to be very costly to train the models, but since generative AI evolved, it's much easier. The training cost is 90 percent lower compared to three or four years ago," he says. "This has enabled faster adoption and greater integration of AI tools into daily operations."
Enhancing productivity with AI-Driven solutions
AI is already delivering tangible benefits in areas such as predictive maintenance, logistics, and code development.
"For instance, our developers using GitHub Copilot have already seen a 30 percent productivity increase in generating and documenting code," Malmström notes.
AI also plays a crucial role in improving manufacturing efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing manual tasks, and optimizing workflows.
Overcoming challenges in AI adoption
Despite the clear advantages, AI adoption requires a shift in mindset. Malmström points out that younger professionals tend to adapt more easily, as they are already familiar with AI-driven interfaces. However, for those who have been working in traditional manufacturing for years, change management is essential.
"The more we improve our AI solutions and simplify manufacturing processes, the easier it will be for users to adopt them," he says.
Looking ahead, Malmström believes AI’s impact will only grow. He envisions a future where AI-powered tools handle tasks with even greater precision, allowing workers to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their jobs. While AI won’t replace human workers anytime soon, it will continue to enhance productivity and efficiency across the industry.
“Technology should help people live better lives. It’s about reducing manual work so that people can focus on creativity instead.”