Tom Hechtman, founder of Sepasoft and creator of Ignition MES modules, brings decades of manufacturing expertise. He delves into the real-world applications of AI on the plant floor, discussing the challenges of quality improvement, predictive maintenance, and the significance of reliable data. He explains the distinction between language-focused models and traditional machine learning, highlighting the importance of well-trained data for effective AI deployment. Tom also addresses the limited ROI of AI initiatives and shares insights on the future of AI in manufacturing, emphasizing continuous learning.