GE is shifting its focus towards high-tech businesses, and AI is playing a crucial role throughout its operations.

The company’s machine-learning lab is working to inject artificial intelligence into its machines and industrial processes. Earlier GE’s machine operators and technicians used to monitor the aircraft engines, locomotives, and gas turbines by manually checking the gauges and listening to sounds produced. Today, AI has come to rescue. With the new advancements, GE hopes to become one of the world’s top software providers by 2020. The company also plans to create smarter models via AI, to take its competitors like Siemens and even IBM (now expanding into industrial analytics) head-on.

To handle this mammoth task of training the employees on AI, GE Global Research is setting up online programs that teach machine learning. Many of these scientists help make cloud-hosted software models of GE’s machines using information gathered from sensors on the machines. There also are 3-D computer-aided design drawings comprising of interactive charts, diagrams, and data points that enable GE to track wear and tear on its aircraft engines and other devices. Using sensor data instead of assumptions or estimates makes maintenance prediction easy. This not only helps save money but also improves safety for customers.

The technology depends on artificial intelligence to continually update itself.  Using deep learning, the machines at GE can optimize operations, such as enable cameras to find minute cracks on metal turbine blades even when they are dirty and dusty.