The influence of artificial intelligence on the manufacturing industry in South Africa

Abstract

Background: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing has the potential to considerably improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Artificial intelligence aids with tasks such as data processing and process monitoring, process modelling and optimisation, live fault detection, and process quality assessment in manufacturing processes.

Aim: This study sought to obtain a full understanding of the influence of AI on the South African manufacturing industry by exploring how AI technology is impacting productivity, reshaping the workforce, affecting quality control practices and optimising supply chain management among other issues.

Setting: Data in this study were obtained from 23 qualitative research publications that address the influence of AI on the manufacturing industry in South Africa published on ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springer, Web of Science and Google Scholar.

Method: Multiple correspondence analysis was utilised to analyse associations among quality, productivity, supply chain and workforce transformation in the presence of AI in the South African manufacturing industry.

Results: The findings demonstrate a substantial association between the usage of AI and a range of performance measures, suggesting that those organisations embracing AI technology can benefit from greater productivity, quality control and supply chain management. Additionally, findings emphasised the necessity of workforce transformation because of AI adoption.

Conclusion: The adoption of AI technology positively influenced the South African manufacturing industry, contributing to increased productivity and quality, and optimising the supply chain.

Contribution: This study makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge as AI adoption in the manufacturing industry in developing countries is only emerging.