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In this episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations, published in partnership with MYOB, we consider the practical adoption of modern-day artificial intelligence.  Valantis Vais, General Manager - Product and Product Marketing at MYOB, discusses the current uptake by manufacturers, a concept borrowed from SAE's Levels of Driving Automation, the implications of agentic AI, and more.

Episode guide

0:53 – An introduction to our guest. 

1:50 – What do we mean when we talk about AI in business.

2:58 – Traditional AI or machine learning e.g. vision systems. 

3:32 – Generative AI or LLMs. The current wave.

4:14 – Agentic AI. The future. Also leverages LLMs, but able to complete end-to-end automation.

5:10 – Examples of agentic AI experiences in the office. 

6:05 – Where is AI making a difference to productivity.

6:52 – Mapping autonomy in business onto the different levels of autonomy for cars and how it could play out over time.

8:16 – Where AI is providing benefits currently, such as in consistent and accurate documentation and improved administration.

9:20 – How companies can make use of the huge amounts of data that they currently collect or could be collecting.

10:15 – Profitability challenges and how AI might come up with answers.

10:50 – Leading applications from those surveyed include in payroll, inventory and supply chain optimisation and reducing administration tasks.

12:05 – The starting point is a foundation of digital data, stored in the cloud, and going business-first rather than technology-first.

13:20 – You should also consider the emotional aspect and how people understand their use of AI.

14:40 – Instead of waiting for shopfloor reports, line-level reports can be summarised and updated regularly.

16:05 – Top challenges for adopting cloud. The top answers were lack of inhouse expertise, high and unpredictable migration costs, and ongoing operational costs. The answer might be starting with pilots.

17:40 – Work with partners who understand your business’s “from” and “to”.

19:35 – What 2026 could deliver for businesses' AI adoption.

21:46 – MYOB’s Acumatica’s three pillars.

22:38 – A message to those on the fence: there are no shortcuts and here’s why.