Ford Motor Company has rehired more than 300 veteran quality inspectors after discovering that artificial intelligence (AI) systems deployed across its manufacturing operations were unable to match the expertise of experienced human workers.
According to a Bloomberg report, the American automaker introduced AI into parts of its production process, including about 900 AI-powered cameras designed to detect vehicle defects and identify supply chain issues.
Speaking to reporters, Ford’s Vice President of Vehicle Hardware Engineering, Charles Poon, admitted the company had overestimated what the technology could achieve on its own.
“Artificial intelligence is a fantastic tool, but it’s only as good as the information you use to train it.”
Poon said Ford had not placed enough value on the knowledge of long-serving engineers whose experience spans multiple vehicle development cycles. He explained that while AI can assist with inspections, it cannot replicate the judgement and instincts built through decades of hands-on work.
The rehired inspectors have now been tasked with helping retrain Ford’s AI systems while mentoring younger employees, as the company works to combine human expertise with automation to improve manufacturing quality.
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