From 11 to 13 September 2024, consultants from skilled crafts organizations attended a seminar at Leibniz Universität Hannover to explore the application potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in skilled crafts businesses. The event was organized by DAISEC with the aim of providing practical insights into the opportunities and challenges of using AI in the skilled trades sector.
The seminar began with an overview of the latest AI trends and the current state of research. DAISEC Managing Director Dr. Daniel Kudenko and AI expert Dren Fazlija from the L3S Research Center presented the differences and potential of generative AI models. There was a particular focus on practical workshops in which participants developed AI tools such as chatbots and tried out image generation techniques under guidance. In addition, case studies from operational practice provided valuable insights into successful AI implementations at small and medium-sized craft businesses.
One highlight of the seminar was the excursions to two craft businesses that are already successfully using artificial intelligence with the help of DAISEC:
- Carpentry Dein Freund: With her so-called Smart Advisor, an AI-based chatbot, entrepreneur Anke Freund demonstrated how intelligent systems can optimize customer communication and order processing in the skilled trades. This innovative solution showed the participants how AI can be integrated into the work processes of a craft business in concrete terms.
- Stichnoth goldsmiths: The family-run goldsmith Stichnoth vividly illustrated an end-to-end digital work process in the traditional goldsmith trade. Participants were given an insight into the practical use of AI in the production and design of jewelry. The goldsmiths use the AI technology Stable Diffusion to optimize designs and support the creative process. This excursion impressively demonstrated how traditional craft businesses can also benefit from the introduction of innovative technologies.
Both examples provided participants with a practical demonstration of how diverse the possible applications of AI in the skilled crafts sector are and how they can help to modernize processes and make them future-proof.
In addition to the excursions, marketing expert Dr. Levke Walten presented the potential of suitable online channels and emphasized the need to adapt content to the customer, and to regularly analyze one's online presence. Using an example, she explained how AI can support content creation in marketing and presented practical examples with ChatGPT, Bard and Stable Diffusion for advertising texts, the best keywords for search engines and the creation of images for your own homepage.
Simon Wagner shed light on the ethical issues and social risks of AI. Other topics included data protection and cyber security, which are particularly important for digitized companies.
Thanks to the cooperation with the Mittelstand Digital Zentren Hannover, Handwerk and Kaiserslautern, it was possible to convey all content in a practical and target group-oriented manner.
AI in the goldsmith's workshop - during the excursion to Stichnoth Goldsmiths, participants experienced first-hand how AI can support the jewelry production process
Pictures (c) Lukas Fischer, DAISEC
