Ryan Frederick, principal at Transform Labs, addressed manufacturing professionals at the trade conference and made the case that AI isn’t simply a tool for boosting productivity; it’s becoming a core driver of economic vitality across sectors, reports Design News. He emphasized that firms risk being left behind if they treat AI as an optional extra. “If you’re not going to get on the train, you’ll be standing at the station,” he said.
His argument is multi-layered. On the macro-economic front, he stressed that AI underpins future growth and workforce productivity, so industries that fail to adopt it may lose share of a changing economy. At the organizational level, he urged manufacturers to begin small: pilot meaningful AI experiments rather than wait years for full-scale transformation. “Start nibbling the apple, not trying to eat the whole apple,” he advised.
For design and engineering teams, he pointed out tangible opportunities: AI doesn’t just automate emails or meeting agendas; it can examine product designs, detect weaknesses, bridge gaps in systems, and accelerate innovation. He also framed organizational culture as part of the challenge: leaders must confront fear and uncertainty about AI, cultivate learning and iteration, and build workflows that integrate AI tools into manufacturing systems.
Frederick’s message: The window to adopt AI in manufacturing is narrowing. Delay means competitive disadvantage. So manufacturers, especially those in engineering-intensive factories, should view AI not as optional, but as necessary to future viability and growth.