Foxconn launches AI training initiative
IAI Institute will train people through lectures, course packages
The Foxconn Technology Group is getting in the online education game.
On Friday Foxconn launched the iAI Institute “an initiative focused on training the workforce of tomorrow and sharing Industrial AI knowledge across industries.”
The iAI Institute plans to help train people in industrial artificial intelligence. Individuals can watch online lectures or companies can purchase course packages using “points” although it is unclear as to how someone can collect points.
It also allows people to access different data sets for
“fault detection” on machines like wind turbines, train bogeys, gearboxes and other data sets. A competition has also been started by Foxconn on the iAI Institute website to find the best way to estimate the remaining useful life (RUL) of the cutting tools.
The institute will be lead by Keyi Sun who ran the Lighthouse Academy for Foxconn World Economic Forum's Lighthouse smart manufacturing training activities.
“The iAI Institute's vision is to transform skill sets that will share the workplace and redefine the skills required in the global competition for jobs,” Sun said.
The announcement came as part of a virtual smart manufacturing conference. In 2019, Foxconn announced it was planning to create a industrial artificial intelligence institute.
In a statement, Foxconn vice chairman and board member Jay Lee said the company partnered with experts from World Economic Forum, National Institute of Science and Technology, GE, PARC, University of Cincinnati and PHM Society.
“With Foxconn's Industrial AI investment in Wisconsin, we look forward to engaging businesses and industries by sharing how industrial AI, supported by technologies such as high-performance computing, big data, and 5G networks-can strengthen productivity and business performance that helps companies transform with new opportunities,” Lee said.
Lee said the coronavirus pandemic highlighted numerous issues for businesses around the world and having workers trained in AI is “a new must” for employers.
“By harnessing the power of Industrial AI, decisionmakers, engineers, data scientists and assembly line operators can optimize value within their organizations across a broad spectrum of subject matter from manufacturing efficiency, quality of product output, and energy management,” Lee said.