Once a theoretical idea, artificial intelligence is becoming a critical tool for manufacturers across the globe.
Some manufacturers are slow to embed the evolving technology into their factories, with concerns around operational costs, trust, transparency and workforce readiness. Industry leaders, students and faculty gathered at the inaugural Apple Manufacturing Academy Spring Forum, in partnership with Michigan State University, April 30–May 1 to explore how overcoming these barriers could unlock AI’s long-term potential.
Apple engineers and MSU experts work with small- and medium-sized businesses through the free Apple Manufacturing Academy program, helping them adopt AI and smart manufacturing techniques and tools. The Spring Forum hosted at MSU was the academy’s largest event, bringing more than 260 participants from 16 states across industries ranging from automotive and transportation, to medical sciences and agriculture.
On May 1, participants traveled to local manufacturers and facilities to see how AI is being applied in manufacturing processes. Those tours included Block Imaging, the MSU Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Peckham and the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility.
“Our biggest responsibility right now is to be sure that we are thinking about AI machine learning in a responsible way and that we’re teaching it in a responsible way,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “It’s not just about bringing computer scientists and data analysts and faculty that can write code, it’s about bringing faculty from the humanities and social sciences to the table for these conversations so that we can be sure that we’re teaching it in a responsible way, teaching students how to use it and apply it in a responsible way.”
MSU and the Apple Manufacturing Academy play a critical role in bridging education, research and industry practice as AI reshapes manufacturing.
“What an incredible time to be part of the world of manufacturing,” said Priya Balasubramaniam, vice president of product operations at Apple and an MSU alumna. “AI has such important use cases for manufacturing. The improvement that we will see in productivity and efficiency is going to be monumental as we go forward.”
Educating the next generation of workers in AI
Industry leaders and student poster presentations focused on AI as a tool that enables smarter and more connected manufacturing systems, while also posing real challenges in implementation.
Joshua Siegel, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at MSU and a presenter at the Spring Forum, challenged why some manufacturers are hesitant to adopt AI as they are driven more by perfect predictions than by broad coverage.
Siegel emphasized the opposite, arguing that effective AI in manufacturing is driven more by broad coverage across complex systems, ultimately enabling better decisions and more efficiency at scale. For example, a company that rejects a 2% improvement in favor of a 5% gain at 10 times the cost may be limiting its overall performance, he said.
“I think it’s wonderful that we have the Apple Manufacturing Academy,” Siegel said. “It’s a great collaboration that speaks to MSU’s ability to lead in terms of educating the next generation of workers, helping companies think through the sort of structure and governance that they need in running their AI and tech initiatives, and in ensuring that we actually get to apply the good research that we do.”
MSU’s role is to ensure students are prepared to work with AI in the manufacturing field but also prepare them for the changing needs of industry and society, Guskiewicz said. Breadth, depth and practice are key pieces of AI education.
“Our Spartan community is driven by curiosity and innovation — and it is also grounded in a commitment to be responsive to the dynamic and ever-changing needs of the day,” said Laura Lee McIntyre, MSU provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Today’s forum provides meaningful and valuable opportunities for the MSU community to extend their expertise, collaborate with Apple engineers, and contribute to the development of advanced manufacturing talent across Michigan and beyond.”
Students in varying degree fields have already begun conducting manufacturing AI research that could impact the way this technology is thought about and applied. A poster presentation during the forum allowed students to share their work with industry leaders.
Ikenna Iyioke, a sophomore studying environmental engineering, evaluated plantain peels as a midsole material in shoes, rather than ethylene vinyl acetate, or EVA, and other synthetic plastic materials made for shoes. Iyioke’s research explored plant-based bioplastics as a greener alternative.
His research has real applications in AI manufacturing, as the technology could be used to optimize and personalize designs and refine ingredient ratios to ensure performance.
“I’m really excited about the personalization aspect — you can make any product your own if you have the necessary data and information,” Iyioke said. “Just using AI to make the process way more efficient and see which areas are wasting time and how to eliminate or at least minimize that.”
Additional presentations at the forum included driving impacts from implementing AI in manufacturing, using AI to make smart manufacturing possible, and a panel of manufacturing leaders on the challenges and benefits of adding AI to manufacturing processes.
Collaboration drives innovation
Through education and research, MSU and the Apple Manufacturing Academy champion students, researchers and leaders, providing targeted support and skill development to manufacturers across Michigan and the country.
“MSU has a longstanding history of collaboratively working with a broad range of partners to help drive innovation and discovery to address the world’s most pressing challenges and advance the greater good, both locally and globally,” McIntyre said. “Industry partnerships, like the one between MSU and Apple, benefit our students across diverse departments and disciplines — contributing to students’ academic journeys and their professional development as they prepare for a broad range of career opportunities.”
The MSU Apple Manufacturing Academy has already helped more than 150 American businesses since its 2025 launch. The academy, in partnership with the MSU Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation, also offers the Teaching Innovation Grant, allowing faculty, graduate students and researchers to translate research into practical, industry-facing learning experiences.
The academy is just a piece of MSU’s broader AI-driven initiatives. In April, the university launched AI-Ready Spartans, an initiative of the Green and White Council that aims to empower faculty to lead the integration of AI across the undergraduate experience and ensure students learn how to use AI effectively and safely. Additionally, the MSU AI website brings together tools, guidance and real-world examples of how AI is being used across the university community.
Learn more about the MSU Apple Manufacturing Academy.
