Recently, GlobalSpec began a series about how ChatGPT — the natural language processing tool that is driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and developed by the AI research firm OpenAI — is affecting specific industries, with a look at its impact on the healthcare and oil and gas sectors so far. This follow-up feature will examine the impact ChatGPT is expected to have on the manufacturing industry.

Like the oil and gas and healthcare sectors previously covered, ChatGPT is already proving itself a useful tool in the manufacturing sector, where it is largely being used to take on repetitive tasks. While the use cases for AI-chatbots in manufacturing are potentially endless, they will at least for now be mostly limited to customer relations and equipment monitoring. But as the technology becomes more capable and more sophisticated iterations of it are introduced, there is no telling what impact it will have on the manufacturing sector in the very near future.

Follow along with GlobalSpec as we look at how ChatGPT is already impacting the manufacturing industry.

Worker safety

It is no secret that the manufacturing space can be a dangerous one with workers experiencing a host of potential hazards — from lifting, pushing, pulling, slipping, tripping and falling to encountering dangerous equipment and machinery, as well as noise and hazardous chemicals.

Because ChatGPT can be used to sort through and analyze significant amounts of safety-related data that points to potential workplace hazards in almost no time at all, the chatbot could potentially prove to keep employees and workers safe while on the manufacturing floor.

Training

Those working in the manufacturing space are expected to be trained on a seemingly endless list of manufacturing topics — U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance, safety, policies and procedures, job skills, ladder and forklift safety, slip and fall protocols, fire safety, hazard communication and machine operations, to name just a few.

To potentially ease the burden on administrators, experts suggest that ChatGPT can be used to create interactive training materials as well as assist in onboarding new employees. The chatbot can potentially be used to provide information and guidance on manufacturing processes and safety procedures, for instance. Likewise, ChatGPT could possibly be used to produce manufacturing simulations to enable workers to experience realistic manufacturing scenarios.

Predictive maintenance

A major obstacle to productivity in manufacturing is oftentimes the equipment. Consequently, AI models similar to ChatGPT can be used to predict when machinery and equipment are likely to fail according to data — such as equipment usage, maintenance history, and production schedules, for instance — culled from sensors and maintenance logs associated with the machines in question. This data can reportedly help to schedule preventive maintenance, thereby reducing costly downtime and disruptions.

Further, when problems or defects arise during the manufacturing process, ChatGPT can reportedly help to identify causes by analyzing data and historical records.

Quality control

A quality product is what most manufacturers strive for and using ChatGPT could help reach that goal by analyzing sensor data and historical records to identify patterns and anomalies in manufacturing processes. This will help to ensure product quality while also potentially reducing the incidence of product defects.

Design, R&D and data analytics

Product design is another possible use case for ChatGPT, which can potentially generate product design ideas. Further, the chatbot could possibly be used to perform simulations and offer insights and feedback during product development and prototyping.

Additionally, ChatGPT can also gather and analyze large datasets of market research, customer feedback and industry trends to shape product development as well as marketing strategies. Experts also suggest that the technology could be used to make improvements to existing products.

Inventory and supply chain management

To ensure that a manufacturer has enough product on hand to meet demand, ChatGPT can potentially be used to optimize inventory levels. According to experts, the chatbot could accomplish this by analyzing market trends, demand forecasts and historical data, subsequently helping manufacturers to both reduce excess stock and avoid stock shortages.

In that same vein, ChatGPT could also be used to provide insight into supply chain operations by analyzing data about supplier performance and transportation routes, in addition to inventory management, in a bid to optimize the flow of goods and subsequently prevent bottlenecks.

Customer service

As discussed in both features about the use of ChatGPT in the oil and gas and healthcare sectors, the manufacturing sector can also use the technology to provide automated customer service. The chatbot could possibly answer frequently asked questions, and assist customers with queries associated with products, orders and warranties.

Compliance and standards

Because manufacturers are governed by countless rules and regulations, ChatGPT could potentially be used to produce compliance documents, safety manuals and other critical documentation. This would ensure that manufacturers follow industry regulations.

Further, the technology could also monitor for frequent regulatory changes, thereby ensuring up-to-date compliance and procedures.

Miscellaneous

This is by no means an exhaustive list. ChatGPT could take on any number of repetitive tasks in the manufacturing space including data entry and even communication across manufacturing departments, which is only briefly mentioned here.
Check back with GlobalSpec as we explore the ongoing impact ChatGPT will have on various industries.

To contact the author of this article, email mdonlon@globalspec.com