Trumpf's AI training offensive
Dr. Jens Ottnad was jointly responsible for Trumpf's AI projects in the development department for many years. A few months ago, he switched roles and is now training the new generation of Trumpf employees together with his team. AI plays an important role in this.
22 Oct 2024Share
After more than ten years in the development department, he took over responsibility for vocational training. This includes training apprentices and dual students in the basics of AI and data science. Ottnad emphasizes that the high quality of data is crucial for the success of AI projects. It is particularly important to familiarize young talents with the basic principles of data analysis at an early stage. “We pursue a data-centric approach and want employees to internalize this and actively contribute to it,” explains Ottnad. “When we think about it: What will our products look like in 2030, then we also have to consider what will the people who design and build these products look like? We want to be leaders in the field of AI in five years' time, so we need to develop the talent now. And it's incredibly important to focus on this ourselves.”
A pilot project with the University of Stuttgart, in which 70 hours of training were offered both online and on site, has already shown positive results. The focus was not on programming, but on understanding basic concepts of AI, such as predicting sales figures for ice cream. These practical examples helped young talents to discuss and apply AI in their departments.
Trumpf relies on comprehensive training for the entire workforce. To this end, internal experts from the mechanical engineering department were involved in presentations that provided practical insights into topics such as data quality. These experts showed what challenges arise when working with data and how these can be overcome.
Another important element is cultural change within the company. Ottnad emphasizes that employees need to develop not only technical skills, but also an open attitude towards digital change. To this end, a new format called “Innocation” was launched, in which five trainees and students work in a cross-functional team on real, data-driven projects. This format promotes both practical learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
To prepare employees for future challenges, Trumpf is planning to introduce training courses on “Prompt Engineering” with ChatGPT, which will teach the basics of using AI. This training program will first be tested with young talents and later expanded to the entire workforce.
Jens Ottnad reveals how he intends to do this in the Industrial AI Podcast.
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