205: How to Leverage GenAI to Get Out of "Pilot Purgatory" and Address Your Workforce Challenges with Rockwell Automation's Andrew Hastert
Andrew Hastert, Director of Digital Strategy and Portfolio at Rockwell Automation, explains how generative AI and causal inference can help manufacturers escape "pilot purgatory" by simplifying complex tasks like programming and troubleshooting. He highlights that AI addresses the industry's talent crisis by capturing tribal knowledge and empowering new workers, while also noting that Software as a Service (SaaS) remains a primary source of ROI. Hastert advises manufacturers to focus on specific business challenges, partner with established technology providers like Microsoft and NVIDIA, and adopt off-the-shelf solutions such as Guardian AI to drive autonomous decision-making.