>> Karen Parker, editor-in-chief

The Transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in the Chemical Industry 

Unless you have been taking an extended news break over the last six months, you have probably read about the latest technology predicted to change the way we receive and communicate information, ChatGPT. It is a natural language processing tool that answers questions, and writes things such as emails, essays, and code.

Until I wrote this column, my own personal experience with this particular iteration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology involved watching the delight of an eight-year-old I know as he read a story created by ChatGPT that starred said eight-year-old and involved Pokeman, his current favorite obsession. His reaction both charmed and frightened me. I felt concerned for future children who might spend too much of their time reading stories created especially for them and miss reading about the benefits of trying something new from characters such as Sam I Am, who advocates so persistently about the benefits of green eggs and ham. The experience did make me think about how scientists might utilize ChatGPT technology and the wider technology surrounding artificial intelligence.

AI has emerged as a revolutionary technology, reshaping various sectors with its remarkable capabilities. The chemical industry, with its complex processes and vast data sets, is no exception. From improving efficiency and productivity to enabling innovative discoveries, AI is driving significant transformations and unlocking new opportunities in the chemical industry.

One of the primary areas where AI is making a profound impact in the chemical industry is process optimization. By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI systems can analyze enormous amounts of data from sensors, instruments, and historical records to identify patterns and optimize complex chemical processes. This enables more precise control over parameters, reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, and enhancing overall productivity. AI-powered process optimization not only improves the quality of chemical products but also minimizes costs and environmental impact.

In the current market, chemical companies need to respond to the ever-changing demands for product performance and societal needs as quickly as possible. They must innovate with unprecedented speed. AI plays an important role in helping companies design new, innovative materials by using large databases and AI algorithms to create, analyze, and predict the complex series of chemical reactions needed to develop new advanced materials. With this technology, the time it takes to develop new formulations decreases significantly. For example, Dow Inc. has begun to implement a system in which digitalization is being embedded into each aspect of product development.

As the chemical industry increases the use of AI in its manufacturing and product development processes, challenges will occur. Among those challenges are under-developed technologies that don’t meet requirements, a shortage of workers with the skilled needed to implement AI within the workplace, a lack of quality data, and uncertainty on the part of industry executives regarding the return on investment for such initiatives. As more and more companies begin to incorporate AI into their business practices, the benefits will begin to outweigh the challenges presented with its implementation.

Now is the time for me to confess that half of this column was not written by me, but by ChatGPT. I would like you to guess which paragraphs I wrote and which ones were written by a computer. Additionally, I would like to start a conversation about how technology can change our industry. Visit ASI’s website in June to read more about the opportunities and challenges of using artificial intelligence, and check our LinkedIn page or Twitter or Facebook accounts to learn which paragraphs I wrote and which ones ChatGPT composed.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this edition of ASI. We have many interesting articles – all written by real humans – for you to read. Articles include a case study outlining how Covestro and H.B. Fuller cooperated in developing adhesives using the mass balance approach, an article about the use of edge sealants in photovoltaic module development, an Avery Dennison article outlining how to select the correct PSA tape, and a white paper by Scheugenpflug that gives tips to consider when designing electronic assemblies and components to optimize potting application.