Once a topic for technology futurists, machine learning and AI are now being used daily in discrete and process automation applications. Running ML algorithms on a standard machine controller offers a way to automate continuous improvement in process optimizations with faster reactions and far less data transmitted than purely cloud-based approaches. On the programming side, AI tools such as ChatGPT are now being used to assist in control-system programming to suggest entire code segments, complete code and debug it. In this episode, we connect with Daymon Thompson, automation product manager—North America, with Beckhoff Automation, to explore how you can take advantage of these trends.

We're all enamored with AI and tools like ChatGPT, which are proving to be hugely successful in the modern manufacturing facility. But cyber-attackers are using these technologies, too, to empower their methods of accessing your industrial facilities. In this episode, we chat with Daniel dos Santos, head of security research with Forescout Technologies, to learn how bad actors are using smart tools to cause big trouble.

In this episode we connect with Tom Burke, global strategic advisor for the CC-Link Partner Association, to explore the current state of time-sensitive networking in manufacturing and focus on a case study of a Polish Toyota plant using this approach to increase availability of production lines, improve transparency of data, and integrate multiple devices from different vendors.