MADISON, Wis. – Call it an example of “old cogs, new tricks.” Some manufacturers in Wisconsin are learning how artificial intelligence can boost productivity and efficiency, but others have yet to embrace it. Learn more about AI and manufacturing during a mid-day panel discussion at the 11th annual Wisconsin Tech Summit, which will take place March 18 in-person at Lambeau Field.
This plenary panel is sponsored by Microsoft.
Panelists include Buckley Brinkman, president of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity and two Wisconsin-based manufacturers who are currently using AI in their everyday work: Brandon Beard, president of Green Bay-based DuxxBak Composite Decking and Trey Taylor, director of digital innovation for Beloit-based Fairbanks Morse.
General admission registration is open.
The WCMP recently polled 415 executives on AI and other issues, with slightly more than half predicting AI won’t affect businesses like their own. Nearly three-quarters said they’ve never used AI – and have no plans to use AI – in their businesses.
“We think some manufacturers are under-estimating AI’s benefits. Whether it’s backlogged orders, data analysis or ways to save resources, AI can be a valuable tool for manufacturers,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “We hope this panel to highlight some practical examples.”
The Tech Summit is anchored by scores of pre-scheduled “speed dates” between major firms and emerging companies to determine if there are potential matches for research, supply chain and other strategic partnerships. It is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council.
Major firms attending the 2024 Tech Summit are: AT&T, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Deloitte, Exact Sciences, Faith Technologies Inc. (FTI), Findorff, Fleet Farm, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, gener8tor, Google, Johnson Controls, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Oshkosh Corp., Promega, Rockwell Automation, Schreiber Foods and TitletownTech.
The March 18 “speed date” meetings are 15 minutes each with five minutes between. Other features of the event are:
- Educational “Office Hours” seminars, which will be available to all participants during those times in which they are not scheduled for individual meetings;
- An event overview and opening discussion to help set the stage for emerging companies and major firms;
- A continental breakfast, lunch and a closing reception, and;
- A free tour of Lambeau Field for all registrants.
Sponsors are: Apple, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, AVI Systems, Baird Capital, BDO, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Deloitte, Findorff, Flad Architects, Google, Greater Green Bay Chamber, Involta, Johnson Controls, Lost Boys Interactive, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Microsoft, New North, Raven Software, Ruder Ware, Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction, SARA Investment Real Estate, Shive-Hattery, SmartVent, Summerfest Tech, Turo, UMOS, UW Extended Campus, University Research Park, UW-Madison Center for Dairy Research, UW-Madison Data Science Institute, UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement, UWM Research Foundation, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, Virent, von Briesen & Roper, Whitewater University Innovation Center/ Fiscal Economical Research Center, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp, WHEFA, Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
Visit wistechsummit.com for more information on the event and registration.
