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Nokia has announced the launch of MX Workmate, a suite of operational technology (OT)-compliant tools, that makes it easier for industrial workers to interact with industrial machines.

MX Workmate leverages Generative AI (GenAI) and large language module (LLM) technologies to generate contextual, human-like language content based on real-time OT data, enabling workers to understand complex machines, get real time status information and industries to achieve greater flexibility, productivity, sustainability, as well as improve worker safety.

Organisations worldwide already face a skilled labour shortage. A survey by global organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry predicts a deficit of 85 million skilled tech workers globally by 2030—totalling USD $8.5 trillion of potential lost revenue. The effective use of AI tools can alleviate some of the HR crunch while boosting current employee capabilities. However, current GenAI LLM solutions are not compliant with stringent OT requirements, including reliability, availability, security and data sovereignty.

MX Workmate: Addressing a Compliance Problem

Nokia MX Workmate addresses this challenge by adapting GenAI LLM technology to OT environments by onboarding all enablers to the Nokia OT-compliant on-premise edge compute solution MX Industrial Edge (MXIE).

MX Workmate integrates innovations such as AI hallucination elimination while running parallel LLMs and provides APIs to communicate with applications that will provide OT data needed. Using Nokia Team Comms, workers will be able to query the assistant and it will send real-time contextual information to connected workers packaged into messages that are easy-to-understand using natural human language.

In addition, the solution will integrate AI auditing capabilities ensuring strict adherence to OT standards using real-time insights and automated, supported analytics capabilities to streamline workflows and avoid costly errors.

This new man-to/from-machine communication utilising natural language processing can assist workers on factory-floors to receive real-time information about production status, volume and quality and recommendation on how to improve these KPIs.

Real-time data evaluation based early warnings can serve preventive maintenance needs to avoid major machine failures, thus minimising downtime. Continuous risk evaluation also ensures that relevant safety instructions are promptly delivered to workers in case of emergency.

Reece Hayden, Senior Analyst at ABI Research, said: “Since 2023, the enterprise market has shown continued interest in generative AI adoption. Manufacturers are no different; many are looking to invest in solutions that reduce costs or unlock new revenue opportunities. However, strict operational technology (OT) requirements have, so far, slowed deployments on the production floor.”

Hayden further said: “Nokia MX Workmate is the first Gen AI solution designed for production floors that effectively addresses many of these challenges. It provides contextually relevant and real time information exchange between connected workers and complicated OT-systems in a secure and reliable way using natural human language. ABI Research expects that this will offer tangible time savings for employees presenting deployers with significant cost optimisation and safety opportunities.”

Stephan Litjens, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Nokia, added: “AI is a key element of industrial transformation. MX Workmate leverages the combined benefits of our One platform for business-critical wireless connectivity with OT compliant on-prem compute edge for I4.0 applications and worker devices. MX Workmate Generative AI LLM capabilities will change the OT environment, enabling industries to enhance their teams’ skills to improve efficiency, increase productivity and fully integrate IT/OT operations. It is a great opportunity for enterprises eager to advance their digitalization strategy but face challenges due to the gap in workforce expertise”

Nokia MX Workmate will be showcased for the first time on Nokia’s booth 3A20 at MWC2024.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, Nokia is pioneering networks that sense, think, and act by leveraging its work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, the company creates value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

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