UN, Huawei launch global alliance on AI for industry and manufacturing

China-based technology company Huawei announced the launch of the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing (AIM Global) along with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and other partners. To be led by UNIDO, Global AIM will be a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing for the industry.

Launched at the sixth World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Global AIM will integrate private and public partners for responsible AI innovation in the industry and manufacturing sector. Several founding partners, including Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Shanghai, have committed support to the initiative.

“It is our shared responsibility to ensure that advancements in the field of AI are made in a manner that is safe, ethical, sustainable, and inclusive. AIM Global recognizes the importance of bridging the digital divide between nations and industries, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the AI revolution,” said Gerd Müller, UNIDO director general.

AIM Global will focus on four areas – facilitating research and development of industry-specific AI solutions; developing ethical guidelines for the use of AI in the industry; drafting policy recommendations to governments and international organisations; adoption of best practices.

Huawei, one of the partners in the alliance will provide case studies on industrial AI implementation, insights from its intensive research and development and offer its global network of experts available.

A PwC report released last month, titled – Reimagining digital factories of tomorrow - the Indian perspective – found that 54% of the surveyed Indian manufacturing firms said that they are implementing AI and analytics for business implementation. The Indian manufacturing industry is following the global trend of implementing advanced technology solutions like additive manufacturing, AI, augmented reality, virtual reality, and smart devices.