Artificial Intelligence is transforming manufacturing, but its impact on engineering depends on connecting AI to the dynamic behavior of physical systems. The presentation begins with a concise overview of how modern AI and large language models work, providing the foundation for understanding both their capabilities and their limitations in engineering applications. It then examines how digital twins bridge AI to the physical world by integrating engineering simulation, operational data, and predictive models to enable trustworthy, context-aware decision making. Drawing on examples from semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, and additive manufacturing, the talk explores the convergence of AI, digital twins, simulation, and multi-agent AI systems to accelerate innovation, improve manufacturing operations, and enable more autonomous engineering workflows. It concludes with the technical challenges, including interoperability, validation, cybersecurity, and scalable digital twin infrastructures, that must be addressed to realize the promise of Physical AI.

O​ur Speaker

Gary Fedder is Hamerschlag University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. As the Director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute (MFI), he spearheads its mission to engineer the future of agile, intelligent, and sustainable manufacturing. Dr. Fedder’s efforts at MFI focus on integrating artificial intelligence, digital twins, virtualization and automation into the core of industrial operations, transforming how products are designed, made, and delivered. His influence extends to the national level. Dr. Fedder was instrumental in launching the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a major national public-private partnership. Serving as its founding president and interim CEO, he guided the institute's mission to advance robotics and AI to bolster U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and cultivate a future-ready workforce. His strategic vision is also informed by his previous leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon, including Vice Provost for Research. Dr. Fedder’s technical expertise and experience informs his insight for today’s smart factory technologies. He is an IEEE Fellow recognized for his pioneering contributions to integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This work on creating intelligent, compact sensors is fundamental to the data-rich environments that power AI algorithms for predictive maintenance, quality control, and process optimization. Dr. Fedder holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from MIT and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He has authored over 300 publications and is inventor on 23 patents spanning design and processing of MEMS, stretchable electronics and advanced manufacturing.