Building Intelligent Digital Twins with Generative AI : Pieter Van Schalkwyk - CEO, XMPRO

In my latest AI in Manufacturing podcast episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Peter, CEO of XMPRO where we discussed How to Build Intelligent Digital Twins with Generative AI.

Here are five key takeaways:

1. Digital Twins Are Evolving: What was once just a static data model has now become anticipatory. Digital twins are now being embedded with AI, moving from being reactive (responding to issues) to proactive (predicting issues before they occur).

2. Generative AI is Revolutionizing Business Processes: Generative AI models are not just helping manufacturers with personal productivity tasks like drafting emails—they’re driving large-scale process improvements. For example, EV manufacturers have used AI to reduce human involvement in generating specifications by 90%.

3. The ‘Utility’ of AI is Like Electricity: Much like the railroads and electricity in the past, generative AI is creating a new utility that industries can tap into without needing to build their own models from scratch, unlocking countless business opportunities.

4. The Rise of Multi-Agent Generative Systems: We’re now seeing the development of multi-agent systems where digital twins act as virtual employees. These agents can observe, reflect, and even recommend or take action based on real-time data, enhancing operational efficiency.

5. Start Small and Scale: Peter emphasized not trying to "boil the ocean" when implementing new technologies. Begin with small, incremental changes that can demonstrate value and build out from there.