Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing Asia Week: Michelle’s key takeaways

On September 3rd and 4th, Horizontal Talent Malaysia Country Director Michelle Teoh attended the Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Asia Week event in Penang, Malaysia. 

AIM Asia Week is a conference centered around how industries like med tech, green tech, electronics and more can move towards Industry 5.0., the next fundamental paradigm shift after Industry 4.0’s focus on AI. Industry 5.0 prioritizes sustainability, human centricity and the collaboration of humans and machines. Therefore, AIM Asia Week drew attention to leveraging technologies like AI, robotics and IOT to create a more sustainable environment and drive innovation in manufacturing. 

Here are Michelle’s top 6 takeaways from AIM:

1. Industry 5.0 adds elements of social value and human force into the new phase of advanced technology and AI driven industrialization. It’s about creating an environment where humans, technology and the environment can work together to improve productivity and build a future that is more effective and sustainable. 

2. In 2024, a survey by Mckinsey showed that the adoption of AI in organizations has jumped 72% this year from a mere 20% 7 years ago, with the top 3 industries investing in Gen AI and analytical AI being technology, energy & materials and financial services. In Mckinsey’s report, “The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value”, they mention that companies are already seeing the benefits of AI (like cost decreases), but they’re also facing challenges to overcome, such as managing inaccuracy.

3. Machine learning and deep learning are highly valuable skills and tools for companies. Machine learning is AI that can automatically adapt with minimal human interference, and deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to mimic the learning process of the human brain.

4.   Artificial Intelligence is divided into three types:

• ANI – Narrow Artificial Intelligence or Weak AI, is specialized in limited area and performs specific tasks. 
• AGI – Artificial General Intelligence or Strong AI, is the second stage of AI which is comparable to human work and can learn tasks.
• ASI – Artificial Super Intelligence is the third stage of AI, which is a more advanced version of AI, and some consider it more intelligent than humans. 

5. Sustainable AI for humanity refers to the usage of AI in such a way that focuses on social equity and ethical considerations. 

6. Low Carbon Operating System (LCOS) is a cloud-based management platform developed by Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) to help organizations measure and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Banks like CIMB & OCBC are onboard as part of their ESG goals.

Final takeaways:

AIM Asia Week highlighted key trends in the industry, from emerging technologies and the ways to use them to improving efficiency, productivity and maintaining a sustainable environment in the manufacturing industry. Overall, the event provided a strong emphasis on sustainability, showcased the commitment of companies to greener practices and underscored commercialization strategies and rich investment landscapes. 

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