Siemens and Microsoft have joined forces to promote the cross-industry adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), officially announcing their partnership at CES 2024 during Siemens CEO Roland Busch’s keynote address. This collaboration highlights the launch of the Siemens Industrial Copilot, a generative AI-powered assistant designed to enhance human-machine collaboration and productivity across various sectors.
Acknowledging the transformative potential of AI technology, Siemens Industrial Copilot specifically targets the manufacturing sector. This innovative tool combines Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service with Siemens’ Xcelerator digital business platform, promising to revolutionize industrial processes.
During the keynote, Busch illustrated the immersive engineering collaboration between Sony and Siemens, showcasing the use of XR headsets to visualize engineering designs. He emphasized, “Technology is hidden but it’s everywhere. The industrial metaverse will redefine reality and transform everyday experiences for everyone.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the opportunity presented by this new generation of AI, stating, “We’re building on our longstanding collaboration with Siemens to accelerate innovation across the industrial sector. By integrating AI advancements from Microsoft Cloud with Siemens’ industrial expertise, we empower both frontline and knowledge workers with new, AI-powered tools, starting with Siemens Industrial Copilot.”
Busch further noted, “Together with Microsoft, our shared vision is to empower customers through the adoption of generative AI. This technology has the potential to transform how companies design, develop, manufacture, and operate. Enhancing human-machine collaboration enables engineers to speed up code development, improve innovation, and address skilled labor shortages.”
He compared the traditional ten-year timeline for airplane manufacturers to produce a new generation of aircraft, highlighting how AI-enhanced simulations will significantly streamline that process. Siemens Industrial Copilot aims to reduce complex automation code generation, optimization, and debugging times from weeks to mere minutes.
Beyond code generation, the copilot supports staff with detailed maintenance instructions and immediate access to simulation tools via natural language interactions, boosting productivity in industrial operations. This collaboration extends beyond manufacturing; both companies anticipate AI copilots supporting professionals across infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare sectors. Early adopters like Schaeffler AG are leveraging generative AI to improve engineering phases and minimize downtime.
Additionally, Siemens is collaborating with AWS and endorsing the OpenUSD alliance promoted by Nvidia, originally created and open-sourced by Pixar. This initiative aligns with their belief that the industrial metaverse can enhance real-world applications.
Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler Group, stated, “Siemens Industrial Copilot will enhance our efficiency, reduce repetitive tasks, and unlock creativity—an exciting collaboration with Siemens and Microsoft.”
Furthermore, the Siemens Teamcenter app for Microsoft Teams will facilitate virtual collaboration, connecting product design and manufacturing lifecycle functions. This integration aims to make data more accessible to factory and field service workers, ensuring their seamless contributions to design and manufacturing processes.
Siemens plans to reveal more about the Siemens Industrial Copilot at the SPS Expo in Nuremberg, Germany, in November 2023.
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