About
Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers practical methods to support manufacturing and enhances understanding of future technological tools. When manufacturing professionals learn to leverage AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement, efficiency and operational insight improve. This introductory workshop builds a foundational understanding of applied AI in industrial environments
Course Details
- Format: Live, in-person at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, TN
- Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
- Time: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (CT)
- Instructors: Danny Norman, Dr. Enrique Macias de Anda, and Tim Waldo
- Cost: $300 per person
- Meals: Lunch and light snacks provided by the UTSI Cafeteria
To Register
Please contact:
Meghan Morris
Outreach Coordinator
Email: mmorris@utsi.edu
Phone: 931-393-7213
Deadline
The deadline to register is Monday, September 14, 2026.
Course Description
This workshop introduces the purpose and application of artificial intelligence in industrial settings, making the subject matter accessible and immediately useful. Participants will learn prompting basics and interaction techniques alongside real-world use cases in manufacturing. The course covers the integration of AI with existing problem-solving frameworks to streamline daily plant operations and decision-making.
Key Learning Objectives & Highlights:
Participants will explore the fundamental components of industrial AI and learn how to apply these concepts to improve organizational performance. You will learn how to:
- Understand AI Capabilities: Explain AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement.
- Master Interaction Basics: Learn prompting basics and interaction techniques.
- Discover Real-World Applications: Analyze practical use cases across the manufacturing sector.
- Integrate Problem-Solving Frameworks: Combine AI technologies with structured problem-solving methodologies.
About the Instructors
Danny Norman serves as an Advanced Manufacturing Consultant for the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS), functioning as the organization’s key technology specialist supporting state manufacturers with Industry 4.0, automation assessments, and advanced technology adoption like robotics and digital manufacturing.
Dr. Enrique Macias de Anda is a Manufacturing Consultant with UT CIS who holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from UT Knoxville, bringing deep expertise in how organizational culture and human motivation intersect with industrial technologies. He strongly advocates for developing work systems that incorporate the complexities of processes, technology, and people, focusing on continuous improvement and employee engagement to support advanced technological tools like artificial intelligence.
Tim Waldo serves as a Workforce Development Specialist and Consultant for the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS), leveraging his extensive background in both the manufacturing and service sectors to help Tennessee manufacturers navigate complex labor challenges. He partners directly with industrial organizations to design and implement customized workplace development strategies, comprehensive leadership training programs, and targeted continuous improvement initiatives aimed at maximizing human capital and operational performance.