Hitachi trains AI with veteran workers' maintenance expertise
Hitachi's AI system, based on veteran maintenance protocols, reduces response times by 30%
Hitachi observed and interviewed veteran employees to learn more about how they handle maintenance requests. (Hitachi)
TOKYO -- Hitachi is harnessing generative artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate the tacit knowledge of its most experienced maintenance technicians. This innovative approach underscores a strategic opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to leverage decades of industrial expertise in the AI race.
Key Highlights:
- 30% Faster Response Times: The AI system, trained on veteran workers' protocols, has already cut maintenance response times by 30%.
- Decades of Expertise Codified: Hitachi Power Solutions executive Norihiko Moriwaki emphasized the value of capturing 30-year veterans' "tricks of the trade" in AI-digestible formats.
- Industrial Applications: The technology supports critical infrastructure maintenance for power plants, factories, and transportation systems.
Methodology:
Hitachi's development process involved:
- Extensive observation of veteran technicians' workflows
- Structured interviews to extract undocumented knowledge
- AI model training using this curated dataset
This initiative represents a growing trend of AI integration in industrial maintenance, particularly in Japan's manufacturing sector where experienced workers' retirement threatens institutional knowledge loss.
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About the Author
Dr. Emily Wang
AI Product Strategy Expert
Former Google AI Product Manager with 10 years of experience in AI product development and strategy formulation. Led multiple successful AI products from 0 to 1 development process, now provides product strategy consulting for AI startups while writing AI product analysis articles for various tech media outlets.