AI Is Transforming Manufacturing in Quebec's Industrial Landscape

A session at the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Expo in Montréal offers an expert look at the power of AI in industrial settings.

Rob Spiegel

November 6, 2024

3 Min Read
AI helping manufacturing in Quebec's industrial sector
Streetoncamara for iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

At a Glance

  • AI-driven innovations are fundamentally reshaping Quebec’s traditional manufacturing sector.
  • Quebec manufacturers are using AI to meet productivity objectives while maintaining their competitive edge.
  • AI enhances productivity by allowing companies to streamline operations and make data-driven decisions.

Quebec's manufacturing sector stands at the brink of a technological revolution. The integration of Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to redefine the industry’s landscape. This topic will be covered at the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Expo in Montréal on Nov. 13 and 14. One session in particular will offer a detailed look at the ways artificial intelligence is changing the nature of manufacturing: How AI Is Transforming Quebec’s Manufacturing Sector on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 1:25 PM - 2:05 PM.

This panel discussion will explore the profound impact of AI on Quebec’s industrial ecosystem, addressing how AI-driven innovations are transforming traditional manufacturing processes, enhancing productivity, and fostering sustainable growth. The panelists come from leading AI research institutions, innovative startups, and established manufacturing firms:

Moderator: Julien Billot, CEO of Scale AI

Panelist: Yannick Bessette, founder and CEO of Beslogic

Panelist: Hugues Mailhot, partner and VP of ExplorAI

Panelist: Kevin Moore, CEO and founder of Vooban

These experts will share insights into the latest advancements in AI technologies, such as predictive maintenance, smart automation, and real-time data analytics. They will discuss the AI challenges and opportunities, including workforce implications, ethical considerations, and the role of government policies in supporting this digital transformation.

Related:Technology Advances in Quebec’s Supply Chain Bolster Its Manufacturing Base

Attendees will gain an understanding of how AI can be leveraged to drive efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience in Quebec's manufacturing industry, positioning the region as a leader in the global market. This session will also explore the collaborative efforts needed between industry, academia, and government to ensure that Quebec harnesses the full potential of AI.

We caught up with Charlotte Blouin-Arbour, marketing director at ScaleAI to get greater detail of the session’s content.

How are AI-driven innovations transforming traditional manufacturing in Quebec?

Charlotte Blouin-Arbour: AI-driven innovations are fundamentally reshaping Quebec’s traditional manufacturing sector by introducing advanced automation, predictive analytics, and smart decision-making. These technologies allow our manufacturers to optimize all their processes and create cost savings, like reducing downtime through effective predictive maintenance, and ensure product quality by identifying potential issues before they arise. Scale AI supports manufacturers by helping de-risk their AI investments, accelerating their adoption and enabling companies to make confident strides into digital transformation. Through our investments, we see firsthand how AI enables Quebec manufacturers to meet their productivity objectives while maintaining their competitive edge.

Related:Automation & Sustainability Take the Stage in Montreal

How is AI enhancing productivity and fostering sustainable growth?

Blouin-Arbour: AI enhances productivity by allowing companies to streamline operations, make data-driven decisions, and efficiently allocate resources. Scale AI works closely with Canadian companies from all industries to implement AI systems that predict production needs, optimize supply chains, and manage energy consumption, leading to more sustainable operations with reduced waste. Scale AI's support helps de-risk AI investments, facilitating faster adoption that drives long-term growth while aligning with the broader environmental goal of supporting a more sustainable economy.

What collaborative efforts are needed between industry, academia, and government to ensure an innovative future?

Blouin-Arbour: Collaboration between industry, academia, and government, as well as with startups and investors, has always been essential for Scale AI and is part of the Canadian AI recipe for success. This collaboration is fostering a robust AI ecosystem in Canada. Scale AI plays a pivotal role by connecting businesses with leading researchers and supporting joint initiatives to drive innovative projects with SMEs. We connect startups with their first customers and help to de-risk these efforts while encouraging wider adoption. Together, these sectors can accelerate AI research, ensure workforce readiness, and help develop AI applications with real-world impact. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to cultivate an innovative future where Quebec remains at the forefront of AI-driven advancements in manufacturing and beyond.

Related:Manufacturing Rules at Advanced Design & Manufacturing Expo Montreal

About the Author

Rob Spiegel

Rob Spiegel serves as a senior editor for Design News. He started with Design News in 2002 as a freelancer covering sustainability issues, including the transistion in electronic components to RoHS compliance. Rob was hired by Design News as senior editor in 2011 to cover automation, manufacturing, 3D printing, robotics, AI, and more.

Prior to his work with Design News, Rob worked as a senior editor for Electronic News and Ecommerce Business. He served as contributing editolr to Automation World for eight years, and he has contributed to Supply Chain Management Review, Logistics Management, Ecommerce Times, and many other trade publications. He is the author of six books on small business and internet commerce, inclluding Net Strategy: Charting the Digital Course for Your Company's Growth.

He has been published in magazines that range from Rolling Stone to True Confessions.

Rob has won a number of awards for his technolloghy coverage, including a Maggy Award for a Design News article on the Jeep Cherokee hacking, and a Launch Team award for Ecommerce Business. Rob has also won awards for his leadership postions in the American Marketing Association and SouthWest Writers.

Before covering technology, Rob spent 10 years as publisher and owner of Chile Pepper Magazine, a national consumer food publication. He has published hundreds of poems and scores of short stories in national publications.

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