As we gear up for the upcoming Smart Manufacturing Now 2025 event, I have had the privilege of moderating a special podcast with MESA members who have been at the forefront of applying AI in manufacturing.This isn’t just about the hype — it’s about real stories from the plant floor:Successes that show AI’s true impact on productivity and qualityChallenges that reveal what it really takes to deploy AI in operationsSurprising lessons about workforce adoption and cultureA look ahead at where the next breakthroughs may come fromThis podcast is your sneak peek into the kinds of insights, stories, and forward-looking discussions you can expect at Smart Manufacturing Now.Give us a listen and don’t miss the event — join the conversation shaping the future of manufacturing.#SmartManufacturingNow #MESA #SmartManufacturing #AI
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Smart Manufacturing Now Preview
A special MESA Knows podcast episode previewing what’s coming at Smart Manufacturing Now! Our third year conducting this important virtual event, Hear what to expect from the event, who’s speaking, and why this is the gathering for manufacturing leaders driving digital transformation. Don’t miss the insights, energy, and opportunities coming your way. https://mesa.org/smart-manufacturing-now/
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Data Integrity by Design
In this episode, we dive into the critical role of data integrity by design in enabling the future of smart manufacturing in the life sciences industry. As Pharma 4.0 initiatives gain traction, leading organizations are shifting from reactive compliance to proactive data governance strategies that embed quality, traceability, and trust directly into their digital systems.Our expert guests will explore how companies are operationalizing ALCOA+ principles—ensuring data is Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, and more—and aligning with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to future-proof their digital infrastructure. We'll discuss real-world strategiesfor building data integrity into system design, enabling seamless regulatory readiness and supporting the ethical, effective deployment of AI in regulated environments.Whether you're a digital transformation leader, a quality professional, or an AI innovator in life sciences, this episode will offer insights into how your organization can design for trust—right from the start.
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Manufacturing Addresses the Challenge of Tariffs
In this episode, we sit down with manufacturers and supply chain experts to explore how today’svolatile trade environment is forcing a strategic rethink across the industry. From shifting sourcing decisions and rising costs to accelerating reshoring and digital investments, we unpack how tariffs and uncertainty are no longer just a policy issue — they’re an operational reality. I am joined by several members of our Knowledge Committee as well as special guest Robert Cohen, Senior Fellow at the Economic Strategy Institute. Our guests share real-world stories of how they’re adapting:Rethinking just-in-time vs. just-in-case inventoryUsing digital twins and simulation to plan around disruptionAdjusting capital investment to favor agility and automationNavigating compliance across borders while lobbying for clarity at homeWe also dig into the role of predictive analytics, supply chain visibility, and policy advocacy —and what forward-looking manufacturers are doing now to prepare for what’s next. Whether you're navigating sourcing headaches, retooling your production strategy, or trying to future-proof your business model, this episode delivers insight you won’t want to miss.
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Making Manufacturing Analytics and AI Matter - The Survey
What’s really driving success with analytics and AI in manufacturing? In this episode, we dive into the latest industry survey results with Julie Fraser of Tech-Clarity to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and what leading manufacturers are doing differently. Don’t miss this data-driven conversation that puts real-world insight behind the buzz. This full survey report is available from MESA. It represents the next installment in the biennial survey that MESA has been creating for 2 decades now. There is a wealth to learn from our history of these surveys, from both current state as well as the trends that we can observe through the 21st century.
"MESA Knows" is a semi-regular discussion lead by the MESA International Knowledge Committee Working Group. Group chair, Chris Monchinski, leads a panel of regular experts from the working group and invited guests to discuss topics that are relevant to the application of Analytics and Data Science to Industrial Digital Transformation.
South Africa