Generative AI in Asset-Heavy Industries: An End User Perspective

Generative AI in Asset-Heavy Industries: An End User Perspective

Karen Czachorowski, Digital/Data Product Manager, Aker BP, and Bill Hendricks, VP of Manufacturing, Cognite share their insights during the ARC Forum 2024 on the topic of Generative AI in Asset-Heavy Industries, in this case, in the process industry, focusing on transitioning from hype to tangible value. The conversation delves into how AI, specifically large language models (LLMs) like GPT, can revolutionize asset-heavy industries by simplifying access to complex industrial data. This simplification not only makes data more accessible but also accelerates the extraction of value from it, transitioning from code-intensive tasks to more intuitive, AI-driven interactions.

One of the key insights shared by Karen is the internal development of chatbots by Aker BP to leverage their data securely, without compromising confidentiality. This approach highlights the importance of data privacy and the potential for AI to enhance internal processes. Aker BP’s proactive stance in creating a public AI strategy reflects its commitment to leading AI applications within the industry.

The discussion also touches on the democratization of AI tools within the oil and gas industry, illustrating that these tools are not just for data scientists but can benefit a wide range of professionals, including engineers and supply chain managers. This broad applicability underscores the versatility of AI in improving operational efficiency and decision-making across different sectors of the industry.

A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to the challenges of data quality and integration. Both speakers emphasize the necessity of high-quality data as the foundation for effective AI implementation. They discuss strategies for improving data accessibility and quality, such as flagging inconsistent or poor quality. This highlights the ongoing struggle with legacy systems and the need for contextualization of data to derive actionable insights.

Safety concerns related to AI use in process industries are also addressed, with a focus on the importance of cybersecurity, data confidentiality, and ensuring AI is used ethically and responsibly. The speakers note that while AI brings new capabilities, the fundamental challenges of technology adoption, such as safety and ethical use, remain consistent across different innovations.

The conversation concludes with a call to action for industry leaders to embrace AI cautiously, recognizing both its potential and its challenges. The insights from Karen Czachorowski and Bill Hendricks provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future possibilities of AI in the process industry, emphasizing the transition from theoretical hype to practical value and the critical role of data quality and safety in this journey.

This blog post was created based on the script of the video with the assistance of https://chat.openai.com/.