Apple and Michigan State University hold inaugural AI manufacturing forum
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · May 5
Apple and Michigan State University hold inaugural AI manufacturing forum
4 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · May 5
The two-day event at Michigan State brought together small and medium-sized businesses, with speakers from McKinsey, Magna, LightGuide and Medtronic, plus site visits including Block Imaging.
Apple said participants examined practical AI deployment in production, while Block Imaging showed how academy lessons helped modernise operations and improve factory-floor efficiency.
The forum is part of Apple's $600 billion Advanced Manufacturing Program, with further free academy sessions on data in May, quality in June and another event in July.
Is the intense focus on AI for manufacturing masking deeper issues like stagnant wages and chronic underinvestment?
Beyond free training, what are the hidden long-term costs for small businesses to successfully maintain AI systems?
As AI boosts factory efficiency, what guarantees will protect the jobs and skills of the existing American workforce?