Is AI Another Tool in the Lean Toolbox? (Podcast)
The intersection of AI and lean. If it’s not here, it’s coming fast, and the question is: Where does AI fit into a continuous improvement culture, particularly one underpinned by lean thinking?
Eric Lussier has several thoughts on the topic. The longtime lean practitioner recently sat down with IndustryWeek’s Jill Jusko to discuss how artificial intelligence can augment an organization’s lean journey, as well as what manufacturers can do to better make use of this new tool.
This conversation adds to several IndustryWeek articles Lussier has written about AI and lean. The links to those articles are listed below.
In this podcast episode, Lussier, an assistant professor of practice at the University of Tennessee and senior operating advisor at Next Level Partners, describes AI as a thought partner. He highlights its ability to assist in problem-solving, data synthesis and predictive maintenance.
Leadership is critical to driving out AI fear, helping the workforce through the change curve, Lussier says. “… and reassuring them, continuing to teach, coach and mentor, and then see AI as a tool and an enabler, not as a replacement for humans.”
The lean practitioner discusses the variety of use cases he has observed (“Everybody is trying to do something.”) and encourages pilot experiments. He touches on:
- the continuing need for an overall operating system
- the role of AI as coach
- the collaboration of kaizen and AI to solve problems
“[AI is] not going anywhere,” Lussier says. "There's either you’ve got to be with it or not, so I'm on the side of experiment with it. I think it is a thought partner, but I'm the driver—it’s the co-pilot.”
About the Author
Jill Jusko
Bio: Jill Jusko is executive editor for IndustryWeek. She has been writing about manufacturing operations leadership for more than 20 years. Her coverage spotlights companies that are in pursuit of world-class results in quality, productivity, cost and other benchmarks by implementing the latest continuous improvement and lean/Six-Sigma strategies. Jill also coordinates IndustryWeek’s Best Plants Awards Program, which annually salutes the leading manufacturing facilities in North America.
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