The author suggests a seven-stage approach to ensure smooth adoption of smart manufacturing technologies. This includes generating awareness about the technology, alleviating concerns about its safety, aligning interests of workers and technology providers, providing education and training, creating partnerships with workers, demonstrating the value of the technology, and gaining the trust of the workers. The author emphasizes that when workers see the value in these technologies, they can become advocates and champions, accelerating technology adoption and improving their own job performance.
Key takeaways:
- Smart manufacturing technologies are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by improving operational performance, reducing health risks for workers, and minimizing waste and energy consumption.
- Despite concerns about job loss, human expertise remains crucial in deploying and optimizing smart manufacturing technologies. The nature of work is changing, requiring a workforce that can team with AI-powered machines.
- Engaging workers at all stages of technology development, selection, deployment and utilization is essential for successful adoption of smart manufacturing technologies. Workers need to understand and trust the technology, and see how it can help them progress in their careers.
- A seven-stage approach is proposed to create smart manufacturing technology advocates and champions among workers. This includes generating awareness, alleviating concerns, aligning interests, providing education, creating partnerships, demonstrating value, and gaining trust.