121 Textron Aviation has streamlined operations with a new AI assistant built on Microsoft for Manufacturing and Azure OpenAI Service INDUSTRIALS & MANUFACTURING Ladha adds that Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity by integrating natural language interactions with work data and web resources, is another digital tool that can be transformative for manufacturers: “It offers a unified system of engagement tailored to the needs of frontline workers. Agents in Copilot Chat can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up workers to focus on higher-value activities, encouraging growth and professional development.” Real-world examples continue to show how generative AI and digital tools are reshaping frontline roles. A February 2025 white paper, Putting Talent at the Centre, from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company highlights how Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) revolutionised its frontline operations. Through industrial internet of things, AI-driven predictive maintenance and touchless process control, the data storage firm boosted frontline worker productivity by 21 per cent and cut diagnostic time from two hours to just 10 seconds – with over 90 per cent accuracy. Nearly half of job roles were redefined, with 37 per cent of employees being upskilled into higher-level positions. Textron Aviation, a major player in the general aviation industry, has deployed TAMI (Textron Aviation Maintenance Intelligence), an AI assistant built with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft for Manufacturing. The tool has streamlined access to its 60,000 pages Photo: Textron Aviation “ Frontline workers are the heartbeat of operations across industries ”
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