IEN Europe: Could you please introduce yourself and your role at Intel?
I am the Sr. Director of Product Management for Edge Computing Platforms in the Industrial Solutions Division within Intel. My organization is responsible for driving Industrial needs into Intel’s Edge Products from Silicon to Software assets that enables an ecosystem of Edge Products.
Why are security and AI important nowadays and what do industrial solutions providers need to consider?
Mission critical Industrial infrastructures in manufacturing and utilities are ready for digital transformation with AI and Wireless Connectivity being the center of gravity. Intelligent Edge Computing is at the center of these transformations where data value is extracted, analyzed and actions applied real time. AI learning technologies are applied to extract the value of data and then AI inference technologies are applied to drive intelligent actions. Given the mission critical nature of Industrial infrastructures, cybercrimes can shut down the entire plant if security is not designed into the systems. Many governments are updating policies address cybersecurity for their critical infrastructures. Solution providers need to deliver products that have built-in security protocols and comply with Automation System standards such as IEC-62443.
How to drive sustainability in business with AI and security?
Manufacturing is a high impact industry that accounts for 21% of direct carbon emission1 and 54% of the global electricity consumption2, while consumers are becoming increasingly selective about sustainably made products. In addition to Intel's 2030 RISE strategy, Intel Industrial Solutions Division, and its partners leverage AI to create industrial solutions that reduces carbon emissions by modernization of the grids, increasing manufacturing operational efficiency, reducing waste, improving carbon capture, and improving security to reduce unscheduled down time and improve worker safety.
How can customers consistently maintain their security posture on an ongoing basis?
Customers must require solution providers to deliver products that have built-in security protocols and comply with Automation System standards such as IEC-62443.
What value are you bringing to customers?
Intel’s value and role as a Technology leader is to accelerate and enable the digital transformations. We have been accelerating transformation in the Industrial segments by:
1) Fostering a vibrant ecosystem of infrastructure, application, device, and solution providers enabled with Intel Silicon and Software products that have advanced AI and Security features. Intel has variety of Silicon products ranging from CPUs, GPUs, specialized AI accelerators, to FPGAs that can accelerate a wide variety of AI workloads with software development tools such as Open Vino.
2) Driving standards that are critical to drive Industrial 4.0 transformation. We are actively leading or participating in key standards bodies and consortiums from Open Process Automation Forum, Distributed Management Task Force, ANVU, 5G, etc. to drive open and interoperable systems.
3) Engaging with our end customers such as utility companies and factory owners to understand their challenges and helping them with their digital transformation initiatives along with our ecosystem of partner solutions
Could you tell us more about existing and further collaborations between Intel and their customers on AI and security?
We are working with several customers and ecosystem partners in deploying AI based solutions to address use cases such as Defect detection, Predictive analytics to prevent unplanned downtime. For example, working closely with Audi engineers and technicians, Intel created a scalable, flexible machine learning platform for Audi’s automated factory.
You can read more about AI based solutions on:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/manufacturing/manufacturing-industrial-overview.html
On security, Intel’s Silicon products have built-in security technologies, and we are enabling our ecosystem solutions to leverage the security features on our products to harden their solutions.
Among you, what further developments will shape the future of security through AI?
Governments around the world are passing the Cybersecurity policies that require Automation systems to have built-in security postures. This space is still evolving and one to watch for future updates.
1. 21% of direct carbon emission
https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/innovation-climate/2018/12/13/decarbonizing-the-industrial-sector-a-long-road-for-low-carbon-manufacturing/
https://www.industrialtransformationnetwork.com/article/articles/how-industry-40-is-helping-manufacturers-reduce-carbon-emissions
2. 54% of electricity consumption
https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/pdf/industrial.pdf
You can review the webinar on how to succeed business and security goals with AI at this link.
Anis Zenadji
