Executive Summary: Future of the Technician Workforce Study

Summary of Key Findings: Technology Impacts

Employers across the Rochester and Finger Lakes region identified which i4.0 technologies will have the most transformative impact on key industry sectors over the next 10 years. The following table presents a summary of the key i4.0 technology impacts for each target industry sector.

Table 2

KEY TECHNOLOGIES: TIMEFRAME OF IMPACT

NOW

NEXT 3 YEARS

NEXT 4-10 YEARS

Manufacturing & Automation

 Networked sensors for

 Closed loop machine monitoring.  AI/ML for process optimization and decision-making.  Paperless data exchange,

 Equipment with integrated access controls for certified operator verification.  Agile automation techniques for batch, low-volume, and cellular manufacturing.  Adaptive/reactive autonomous operations planning.  AR/VR for remote operations and training.  AR/VR for remote network analytics and diagnostics.  Self-configured, self-optimized, self-healing computing infrastructures informed by predictive analytics.  Advanced AI for design of systems, products, facilities.

predictive overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) technology.

 Cybersecurity systems and cloud platforms for connected manufacturing environments.  Collaborative robotics.

QA assessments, and part manufacturing/ordering.

Information Technology

 Cloud platforms, serverless architectures, and DevOps cybersecurity.  AI/ML-driven performance analytics.  Containerization of code

 Behavioral heuristics and predictive analytics for health and monitoring systems.  Human-machine teaming and interfaces for systems man- agement, process compliance, and decision-making.  Big data tools and storage methods including “data lakes”.

aligned to distributed cloud technologies.

Health Care

 Secure electronic medical records (EMR) feeding neural networks and other AI-based diagnostic techniques.  Telehealth services enabling remote consultations with patients.  Patient-centric mobile health/web-based platforms with personal dashboards and patient access portals. *Rochester and Finger Lakes regional stakeholders concluded that pace of innovation for the health care industry warrants a slightly modified timeline to depict the future adoption of i4.0 technologies. The technologies in the first health care column are expected to have the most significant impact in the next 1-2 years.

 AR-based apps/devices for 3D imaging for training and surgical preparation.  End-to-end cybersecurity platforms with adaptability

to future HIPAA- and SAMSHA-compliant regulatory frameworks.

Human Resources & Professional Services

 Platforms to facilitate communication and information sharing.  Cybersecurity tools and

 AI-based tools and interfaces for screening candidates and for self-service HR information Talent acquisition tools.  VR for learning, recruiting, onboarding, virtual tours, and remote collaboration.  AR for onboarding, realistic training, and remote access to manuals and guidance information.

 AI-based natural speech processing to help reduce language barriers.  Fully autonomous delivery drones for business-to-con- sumer (B2C) operations.  Autonomous“cobot” robotic helpers for personal assistance.  Sensors for industrial internet of things (IIoT).

platforms to protect privacy and personal information.

| 2 MCC Economic and Workforce Development Center