The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched an open competition for a new Manufacturing USA institute focused on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the resilience of U.S. manufacturing, Control reported.
With an expected $70 million federal investment over five years, matched by private and nonfederal funding, the initiative aims to harness AI's potential to bolster productivity, strengthen supply chains and make American manufacturing more competitive globally. This opportunity presents a platform to innovate and integrate AI technologies into manufacturing processes, such as predictive maintenance, process optimization and risk mitigation strategies against supply chain disruptions.
The AI-focused institute will join the Manufacturing USA network, known for its collaborative approach to tackling advanced manufacturing challenges through public-private partnerships. NIST emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaborations involving industry, academia, federal agencies and local governments.
NIST's planned two-stage application process and forthcoming funding opportunities in early spring 2024 signal a proactive approach to supporting AI-driven innovation in manufacturing. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to advancing U.S. manufacturing resilience through cutting-edge technologies, offering automation engineers a platform to drive transformative change in the industry.
