The Road to AI
Written by: Cameron Bolt – Product Specialist Process Optimisation, Novotek Benelux
Why AI?
AI in manufacturing may seem like a brand-new offering; however, the more recent excitement about its evolution has its roots in longstanding best practices, trends and outcomes for manufacturing.
Progress is happening constantly, but AI still stands out – why is that? In this article, we’ll cut through the noise and explain why AI and the capabilities that unlock its true power are so important for manufacturing.
So, where do we begin? A wise man once shared his thoughts on such matters…
Luckily, we don’t have to go that far. The history of manufacturing begins with the first industrial revolution when steam power replaced raw elbow grease, which enabled an explosion in productivity powered by machines.
Understanding the evolution of manufacturing helps us see why AI isn’t just a trend—it’s the natural next step.
The First Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in human history—replacing muscle with machine. Steam power and mechanisation transformed how we built, produced, and moved – unlocking a scale of productivity the world had never seen.
Today, we’re at a similar tipping point—Just as steam turns human effort into mechanical force, AI turns raw data into intelligent decisions.
Where engines once amplified our strength, AI now amplifies our ability to process data and discover insights—making manufacturing smarter, faster, and more resilient than ever before.
The Second Industrial Revolution ushered in standardisation, scale, and the rise of the production line—factories powered by electricity shifted the focus from skilled craft to repeatable, controlled processes.
Operators became system overseers, and the pace of production surged.
Today, that legacy continues. The move to automation started here—AI now takes it further by making automated systems intelligent.
We’re no longer just programming machines—we’re teaching them to learn, adapt, and optimise on their own.
The Digital Revolution brought electronics, PLCs, and early automation onto the factory floor. For the first time, production became programmable, and data began to flow from machines and processes.
But while we could collect it, insight was limited to what we could see and interpret ourselves.
Now, AI changes the game.
It makes sense of the data we’ve been gathering for decades—uncovering patterns, reducing waste, and predicting problems before they happen.
It’s the difference between watching your process—and truly understanding it.
Industry 4.0 connects machines, systems, and people through IoT, cloud computing, and real-time data flows. The factory is no longer isolated—it’s part of a digital ecosystem.
But connectivity is just the foundation. The real power lies in what we do with that data.
That’s where AI steps in.
AI gives manufacturing systems awareness—turning real-time data into real-time decisions.
From predictive maintenance to dynamic scheduling, AI enables factories to think, adapt, and optimise—not just faster, but smarter.
Why now?
We’re reaching the turning point where all of our efforts to build intelligent manufacturing operations are reaching fruition. AI is the brain in the Industry 4.0 body, helping to:
, providing:
- Supply Chain Management – AI improves forecasting, demand planning, and logistics optimisation across complex networks.
- Quality Control – Machine learning and computer vision detect defects in real time, enhancing consistency and reducing scrap.
- Predictive Maintenance – Algorithms forecast when machines are likely to fail, reducing unplanned downtime and maintenance costs.
- Energy Consumption Optimisation – AI analyses usage patterns, flags abnormal consumption, and forecasts demand—supporting energy efficiency and helping integrate renewable sources into operations.
Discover exact what your operation needs
Continue the conversation with our friendly team! We’re ready to provide a simple, quick assessment of your current operation and provide a roadmap that will give you the key capabilities required to unlock powerful AI insights.
Zero obligation, zero pressure – we’re passionate about providing the knowledge required for manufacturers to evaluate their next steps with as much information as possible.
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