The SME AI Experience Center: Overcoming AI Adoption Barriers for SMEs in Industrial Production

Abstract The development of tools based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides significant potential to enhance industrial production, but many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in more rural areas, such as the study area Upper Franconia in Germany, encounter difficulties in implementing them due to limited resources and expertise. The SME AI Experience Center at the Cleantech Innovation Park offers practical support for AI integration through interactive workshops and a production plant simulating manufacturing processes. It showcases possibilities for the digital transformation by using different types of sensors and the potential of applying machine learning for tasks such as intelligent supply chains, predictive maintenance and quality control. The particular focus is on AI for sustainability. Furthermore, SME managers and workers will be aware that most AI technologies do not result in fully autonomous systems that replace the human workforce but that AI tools often rely on human-AI collaboration.