Although expectations of artificial intelligence (AI) are high in industrial companies, it is still rarely used in production - especially in SMEs. There is a lack of clarity when it comes to assessing the economic benefits, applicability in their own production environment and data collection and use. This is the result of an online survey conducted by the AI innovation project IIP-Ecosphere with the support of project partner VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association).
The Federal Ministry of Economics is funding IIP-Ecosphere as part of the AI innovation competition to accelerate the use of AI in production. The aim of the survey was to determine the current status and practical challenges of companies with regard to the use of AI and related topics such as data acquisition, cloud use, selection and framework conditions of AI solutions and Industry 4.0 platforms. "With the survey, we wanted to identify necessary, real fields of action in which IIP-Ecosphere can now actively act as an accelerator for the utilization of AI methods," explains Dr. Claudia Niederée from the L3S research center, project manager of IIP-Ecosphere. 75 companies took part in the survey, two thirds of which were from the machine tool industry.
What is striking is the high participation of larger and very large companies at 70 percent. This could be due to a greater preoccupation with AI topics compared to medium-sized companies. Compared to other surveys, a relatively high proportion of over 37% of respondents stated that their company was already involved in AI-based solutions. However, this contrasts with over half of respondents who find the topic of AI exciting but have not yet had the time or opportunity to deal with it.
Overall, the responses show a high expectation of AI and its benefits for products and services. 60 percent of respondents expressed this view. Only 7 percent state that AI is overestimated. The majority of respondents agree that AI should be used to support and not replace humans in production.
Assessment of practical benefits difficult
The number of providers and solutions for the implementation of AI projects in production is constantly growing; the market is becoming increasingly confusing for users. What makes the choice even more difficult is that several AI solutions often have to be integrated into hardware components, such as machine control systems. This complexity is reflected in the classification of solutions: 65% of respondents cited problems in assessing the economic benefit of an AI solution for their own application context as the most common obstacle in identifying suitable AI solutions. At 64 percent, the question of whether the respective AI solution can even be used in their own context came a close second. "In order to provide companies with a quicker overview of available AI solutions and their applications, IIP-Ecosphere is developing an AI solution catalog that addresses the problems of the respondents and includes aspects of benefit and applicability," explains Niederée.
Legal uncertainty when it comes to data sharing
The survey results show that over 90 percent of companies already collect production data. However, almost half of those surveyed stated that collecting the data required for AI solutions poses problems for their company. There is therefore a clear need to catch up when it comes to the needs-based collection of AI-relevant data.
When it comes to data sharing, the picture is ambivalent: on the one hand, 57% of respondents think that they could benefit from other companies' data, but only 16% would acquire data from outside the company. 59 percent still see a need for clarification on legal issues. "The answers of the respondents also illustrate how necessary it is to prepare the legal regulations in a comprehensible manner in order to clarify the framework conditions for the use of external data," states Hans-Dieter Schmees, Project Manager for Technology and Standardization at the VDW.
Half of companies use cloud solutions
Almost half of those surveyed stated that they use cloud solutions for handling internal company data. Interestingly, however, around two thirds of companies also agree with the statement that production data must not leave the company. Only just under 10 percent of respondents who commented on cloud solutions primarily rely on an onsite solution and would not use a cloud solution.
IIoT platform mainly used by larger companies
IIoT platforms that support the coordinated control of machines and the centralized collection of data are increasingly being used in industrial production. Almost a third of the companies surveyed already use this type of software solution, while almost 45% have no plans to use it. Just under 7 percent of companies that use a platform use a proprietary development. According to the survey results, however, it is primarily larger companies that are already making active use of IIoT platforms. However, Dr. Holger Eichelberger from the Software Systems Engineering working group at the University of Hildesheim estimates a trend towards the increased use of IIoT platforms, which is also confirmed by the survey: "In the medium term, it can be expected that around half of the companies surveyed, from large companies to SMEs, will soon be using such software."
IIP-Ecosphere breaks down barriers to the use of AI
One obstacle to the use of AI that was particularly mentioned in the open comments is the age of the company's own production machines, which cannot be used to collect the necessary data or only at great expense. SMEs in particular are therefore concerned that they could miss out on Industry 4.0 and AI. There is also a fear among some companies that research and business support will lose sight of them or that they will have no (co-)design options for relevant developments. "Collaborative partnerships across disciplinary boundaries are therefore essential for future effectiveness and securing a competitive advantage, at least in the classic economically strong disciplines," explains Dr. Alexander Broos, Head of Research and Technology at the VDW. The open ecosystem approach of IIP-Ecosphere with its many participation options and offerings provides companies with the opportunities and possibilities they need to tackle challenges together and develop technological alternatives that make AI accessible to as many companies as possible.
