Question: Siemens sells control systems, but can Siemens also sell generative AI?

Rainer Brehm: Yes, we continue to sell control systems and many edge devices, but generative AI is becoming increasingly important, also in automation technology. At the moment, we are not yet fully monetizing this, but we have products that can be used in practice. Our customers can use them.

Question: What does Siemens' journey with generative AI look like?

Brehm: We started looking into the technologies early on, even before ChatGPT became so popular. We presented the first results at HANNOVER MESSE back in April 2023. Showing a product is one thing, but testing it, industrializing it and adapting it for commercial use is a major challenge.

Question: What makes it so difficult to use these systems in an industrialized way?

Brehm: The biggest challenge is to ensure the consistency of the results. Our customers expect reliable and consistent outputs, but AI models are constantly changing, which makes the testing processes more complicated. We had to develop new system tests to take into account the dynamic nature of AI.

Question: Siemens works with Microsoft. Why do so many companies rely on Microsoft?

Brehm: Microsoft offers powerful models that work well for our use cases. We also need to evaluate other options in the interests of our customers in order to offer the best cost-benefit ratio. The use of the current models is not yet economically viable, which is why we are also considering the use of alternatives.

Question: There are many start-ups that are now developing co-pilots and chatbots for industry. What distinguishes the Siemens product from these?

Brehm: Siemens takes a holistic approach. We don't just offer one-off solutions, but are working on developing co-pilots for the entire product life cycle - from product development to production and service. Customers want more, and we are trying to meet these broader requirements.

Question: How many co-pilots is Siemens planning?

Brehm: There is currently an engineering co-pilot for automation technology. We are currently working on the Operations Co-Pilot, which acts as an assistant for machine operators. The co-pilot for predictive maintenance is already helping in the service area of machines.

In the Industrial AI Podcast , Rainer Brehm explains how Siemens sees AI agents, what role they should play, how they can be monetized, whether new standards are needed and why good old-fashioned AI is still very much justified.