Wayne State gives engineers hands-on manufacturing training

Wayne State University is preparing engineering students for AI-driven manufacturing through IntelliMake, a research hub and pilot-scale factory being developed with Kyndryl. Students experiment with robots, conveyor systems, machine vision, generative AI and AI agents to explore how automated equipment can respond to changing conditions rather than follow rigid instructions.

The initiative addresses a significant workforce challenge in Michigan. The state’s AI and Workforce Plan estimates that 75% of manufacturing jobs will require some form of upskilling. Michigan also estimates that responsible AI adoption could generate up to $70 billion in economic impact and support 130,000 jobs.

IntelliMake co-director Raj Sohmshetty redesigned the Digital Automation course to combine classroom instruction with lab experiments. Recent AI master’s graduate Gokula Kumaran Kiruthiga Gopal credited the experience with helping secure an AI engineering role at Panasonic, which showed particular interest in a factory-monitoring system developed by the student’s team. In a recent class, approximately 70% of students were already working engineers or other professionals.

The controlled environment allows participants to test ideas without disrupting production. Operations manager Sushant Lingras applied his learning to an AI agent that helps employees access plant information and reduces administrative work. Wayne State plans to extend the approach into quality control, production control, facilities design and operational optimization.