How to make AI a driving force in product development

At this year’s Scanautomatic, Maria Stranne, Head of Digital Technology and Innovation at SKF, will talk about AI and its potential to improve the different phases of product development. As one of the keynote speakers in the AI Arena on 9 October, Stranne will delve into how AI can streamline processes, shorten development times, and lead to better end-products.

With a background in technology development and responsibility for the SKF AI Centre of Excellence, Stranne has extensive experience of working strategically on how new technologies can empower the company by using AI to improve every phase of a product’s lifecycle.

Stranne believes that AI offers huge opportunities in product development, especially for making smarter decisions, automating time-consuming tasks and making better use of the data that already exists in companies. One of her key points is that the implementation of AI should be done more gradually, reducing the threshold for employees to adopt new ways of working.
– It’s about taking small steps and making changes that are easy to understand. By breaking down processes and focusing on simple tasks, such as automating manual processes, it becomes easier to introduce AI in a way that engages employees, Maria Stranne explains.

Take full advantage of new technologies

Finding the right balance between different areas of expertise is also important, Stranne says. Companies need to combine AI expertise with technical knowledge and understanding of their own business processes. This combination of different areas of expertise is crucial for AI to have the desired impact in the product development cycle. By analysing where AI can make the biggest difference, she wants to show how companies can make the most of new technologies.

One area where AI can be most useful is in reducing the need for physical testing and instead simulating different scenarios using data. This can not only save time, but also contribute to more sustainable solutions by minimising resource use in product development.

– For example, in manufacturing processes, AI can optimise energy use and help us find products with a lower carbon footprint, as well as supporting customers in choosing more sustainable alternatives.

Stranne is careful to point out that it is not always the technology that poses the biggest challenge when companies introduce AI solutions, but rather the human and organisational aspects. Many companies find that changes in work processes and employee attitudes can be the biggest stumbling block.

– For many companies, such a change is a major transition, and it is rarely the technology itself that is the problem, but rather the difficulty of getting people to use it and adapting processes accordingly.

Encouraging further exploration of the technology

With her lecture in the AI Arena, Maria Stranne wants to inspire companies to take their first or further steps towards implementing AI in their business processes. By sharing concrete examples from her own organisation, she hopes to provide a better understanding of how AI can contribute to increased efficiency, reduced costs and more sustainable product development processes.

She emphasises that the companies that are most successful with AI are those that take the time to understand their own business and how AI can fit into their overall strategy.

– After the lecture, I hope that more companies will feel motivated to take the plunge and see what gains they can make by using AI. Hopefully, I can also help to remove some of the fear and uncertainty surrounding the technology, Maria Stranne concludes.

Don’t miss Maria Stranne’s lecture and all the other exciting things that will be going on at Scanautomatic – Get your free admission ticket here!