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NEENAH – Using generative AI — a form of artificial intelligence — is being embraced by two Neenah-area companies as they seek to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Plexus Corp., of Neenah, and SECURA Insurance, of Fox Crossing, are using the tools to address issues like workforce training, corporation AI policy and data management, according to employees who spoke on behalf of the company earlier this week.
The talk was part of a New Digital Alliance Summit — one of many sessions held during the Tech Summit at Neenah, on Tuesday. The event, part of Wisconsin Tech Month, highlighted innovations and the impact of generative AI in the northeast Wisconsin tech industry.
It brought community policymakers, manufacturers, AI service providers and technologists together, featuring the use of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot to create content, like text, images, music, audio and videos for business operations, while participants also addressed ethical concerns and debunked myths of using the technical application.
Here are four key takeaways from the half-day event.
Neenah-area companies aiming to use AI access to drive innovation
At least two Neenah-area companies are adopting generative AI into their business operations.Â
Plexus Corp., an electronic manufacturing service company, started using generative AI a year ago.
Ryan Veleke, vice president of artificial intelligence and decision technologies at Plexus, said the company established a team of data scientists and AI software developers and is also utilizing customized AI chatbots, which function as subject experts available 24/7, to help employees with various tasks.
“We’re trying to give everybody access to AI to really support that culture of innovation,” Veleke said.
SECURA Insurance has implemented a generative AI tool for underwriters, who approve insurance coverage and determine the terms of the approvals, according to Tom Hardwick, who leads the IT department of Business & Application Services.
By using the tool, underwriters can locate underwriting manuals in a matter of seconds, whereas they previously needed to spend up to 20 to 25 minutes to find their answers, Hardwick said.
However, not all businesses in Northeast Wisconsin share the same enthusiasm for adopting AI. According to a Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance study published in June, 67% of respondents expect to increase investments in generative AI, but many manufacturing industry leaders still express uncertainty about its value and implementation of technologies, including AI.
Companies discuss need for ‘guardrails’ to make sure technology is used correctly
Generative AI also makes it easier to create misinformation, or deep fakes, which might include images, videos, or audio recordings altered to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something they didn’t do or say.
In response to the challenges posed by generative AI, Matt Adamczyk, principal technical program manager at Microsoft, suggested people continue to be skeptical and thoughtful when consuming information online.
Carl Deal, managing vice president of Gartner Executive Programs, emphasized that the real challenge lies not with the technology. Deal said critical thinking skills are essential in using AI when writing prompts, analyzing AI-generated data, or validating its accuracy — a skill society is less focused on.
For business owners, AI is a powerful tool for both decision-making and support, but Hardwick said companies need to set up “guardrails” to operate safely and ethically.
He said that the real value lies in supporting decision-making and human creativity, rather than relying on the tool, alone.
Wisconsin industrial leaders see AI as a tool to reshape jobs, not replace them
As with any new technology in the workplace, people are concerned about the potential job loss due to generative AI, or AI in general. Policymakers and industrial leaders say it probably won’t steal anyone’s job, but it will reshape some professions.
Jennifer Sereno, assistant deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), said that some hands-on jobs, such as plumbers, are unlikely to be replaced by AI, and that these jobs become more valuable due to the continued demand for human expertise. Â
There are some jobs, however, according to Sereno, that will face significant disruption due to AI, including administrative support, architecture, legal and health care.
Many U.S. workers who are industries more exposed to AI replacement or assistance do not feel their jobs are at risk — 32% of workers in information and technology say AI will help more than hurt them personally, compared with 11% who say it will hurt more than it helps, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.
But the survey also found that workers with the greatest level of exposure to AI are typically in higher-paying fields, which tend to require a greater degree of education — workers with at least a bachelor’s degree are more than twice as likely to experience the highest level of exposure compared to those with a high school diploma.
Industrial leaders say companies need to work proactively to build a thriving workforce as a response to the disruption.
Veleke, for example, said some jobs could go away, but employers need to be creative in helping upskill those individuals and retain them in the industry.
“I definitely don’t think it’s stealing anyone’s job in my industry,” he added.
Wisconsin offers incentives to train employees in AI technology
The Wisconsin Fast Forward grant is available to help businesses upskill employees to mitigate the negative impacts of the AI technology transformation.
It is a government-subsidized program for workforce training, grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $400,000 per grantee, and the application is closed Oct. 28.
For more information, on the eligibility, how to apply, and the application process, visit Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants.
Zhen Wang is a business reporter for The Post-Crescent. Reach her at zwang@gannett.com or 920-993-7117.