A3 appoints new technology group focused on artificial intelligence

A new strategy board of artificial intelligence (AI) experts appointed by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) will help guide the adoption of AI applications in industrial automation.

The AI Technology Strategy Board places AI leadership at the same level as A3’s existing technology groups: robotics, vision and imaging, and motion control and motors. It’s also the first new technology group at A3 since motion control was added in 2006.

Artificial intelligence is layering atop robotics, vision, motion control and other automation technologies to create new solutions, flexibility, and expanding opportunities.

“Artificial intelligence—in many shapes and forms—will be the stitching that weaves together a new age of industry,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “As the global trade group of the automation industry, we need to help prepare our members to seize this potential.”

The creation of the technology strategy board is the culmination of a three-year effort to educate and inform automation leaders about the growing importance of artificial intelligence.

The board’s chair is John Lizzi, executive leader in robotics at GE Research, who has chaired and played a role in the A3’s AI efforts to date. Companies such as Amazon, GE, Google, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Siemens and others have helped guide A3’s initiatives. Robert Huschka, A3’s vice-president of education strategies, will serve as the association’s liaison to the new board.

A3, which represents 1,100 companies from across the automation industry, is also set to begin work on new industry-recognized certification programs on AI and autonomous systems.

AI technologies will play a central role at A3’s two major trade shows in 2022, The Automate Show & Conference, June 6-9, in Detroit, Mich., and The Vision Show, October 11-13, in Boston, Mass.