Matthew Boyle
Nokia is pioneering the integration of generative AI into the industrial sector with its latest innovation, the MX Workmate, tailored for Industry 4.0 environments. This tool represents the first OT-compliant generative AI solution designed to support connected workers, addressing the critical skilled labor shortage projected to impact the tech industry significantly by 2030. By leveraging large language model technology for operational technology environments, Nokia aims to enhance workforce capabilities and streamline operational workflows. The MX Workmate is set to undergo testing with select industrial customers, with the goal of achieving commercial use by the end of the year and full availability in 2025. This solution embodies Nokia’s commitment to bridging the gap between humans and machines, offering a platform that can interpret and communicate complex OT data in human-like language, thereby improving productivity, efficiency, and safety on the manufacturing floor. Nokia’s approach also includes stringent AI auditing and real-time data analysis to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance with industry standards, paving the way for a new era of digital transformation in the industrial sector.
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Along with its secret 5G and business edge products, Nokia is preparing a new generative AI tool for environments requiring Industry4.0. The Finnish vendor refers to the product, MX Workmate, as the” first OT-compliant gen AI solution for connected workers.” However, it is still far from being a commercially available product in mission-critical ( MX) environments, and it will probably only be tested with close industrial customers in the second half of the year with the intention of” first commercial use” toward the end of it and possibly full commercial availability during 2025. According to Nokia, AI is bridging the gap between humans and machines.
Nokia Strategy : Industry 4.0 digital transformation and Operational technology AI integration
Next week, a thorough interview with Nokia will take place. However, the company stated in a statement that the MX Workmate initiative aims to address the skilled labor shortage in the Industry 4.0 market by modifying large language model ( LLM) technology, as found in contemporary consumer generative AI platforms, for edge-based operational technology ( OT ) environments. According to a survey by the consulting firm Korn Ferry, there will be an 85 million skilled tech worker shortage worldwide by 2030, which could result in$ 8.5 trillion in lost revenue.  ,
According to Nokia,” the efficient use of Artificial tools can lessen some of the HR crunch while improving current employee capabilities.” However, the reliability, availability, security, and data sovereignty requirements of the latest conceptual AI LLM solutions are never met. In order to run the core network for its Digital Automation Cloud ( DAC ) private 5G system and host the software and data for various Industry 4.0 applications, Nokia “onboarded all enablers” to its on-premise MX Industrial Edge ( MXIE ) platform. Nokia is referring to its entire business-edge offering as” Nokia One.”
It integrates innovations like AI hallucination elimination while running opposite LLMs and offers APIs to communicate with applications that will provide the required OT data, according to a statement. It should be noted that the term” Artificial hallucination” describes the phenomenon in which LLM processes pick up on patterns that are either nonexistent or invisible to human observers. If AI is to be taken seriously by the OT crowd in production environments, for hallucinatory administrative errors must be eliminated in mission-critical Industry 4.0 systems, according to logic.
Skilled labor shortage solutions and Real-time OT data analysis : Nokia Outlook for AI capacities.
Based on real-time OT data, the MX Workmate prototype creates cultural “human-like- language” material that can be interacted with via the team communications application to receive life updates and guides about machine performance, maintenance, and fixes. According to Nokia,” Workers will be able to query the assistant and it will send real-time cultural information to connected workers packaged into messages that are simple to understand using normal human language.”
The solution will also incorporate AI auditing capabilities, ensuring strict adherence to Twisted standards using real-time insights and automated, supported analytics capabilities to streamline workflows and prevent expensive errors. First warnings can serve preventive maintenance needs to avoid major machine failures, thereby reducing time. This new man-to-machine communication can help factory floor workers receive real-time information about production status, volume, and quality, as well as recommendations on how to improve these KPIs. Ongoing risk assessment also makes sure that workers receive the necessary safety instructions in an emergency.
AI is a crucial component of commercial transformation, according to Stephan Litjens, vice president of enterprise solutions at Nokia. With OT cooperative on-prem compute edge for I4.0 applications and worker devices, MX Workmate makes use of the combined advantages of our One platform for business-critical mobile connectivity. The OT environment will change as a result of MX Workmate Generative AI LLM capabilities, allowing businesses to improve the skills of their teams to boost productivity, increase efficiency, and entirely integrate IT/OT operations. It’s a fantastic chance for businesses looking to advance their digitalization strategy but running into difficulties because of the lack of workforce expertise.
Manufacturers are no unique; many are looking to make investments in cost-cutting initiatives or open up new business opportunities. Deployments on the production floor have thus far been slowed by stringent OT requirements. The second Gen AI solution for production floors, Nokia MX Workmate, successfully resolves some of these issues. It uses natural human language to securely and firmly exchange socially pertinent and real-time information between linked workers and complex OT-systems.
