AI, at this stage of development, will not save you



By Jim Thompson

I am hearing rumors that engineers and estimators are trying to use AI to (a) check dimensions and (b) perform take offs.

AI is not ready for this yet and it may be a long time before it is.

These are simple tasks, but require precise work in order to be correct.

Ever since the three years early in my career where I was responsible for both of these tasks, I have held them with great respect. Engineers, especially those trained in differential equations and beyond (in other words, all of them), treat dimensional correctness and piece counting as mundane tasks beneath their ability.

Nothing is further from the truth. These are difficult and extremely vital tasks. AI has yet to prove it takes them seriously, either.

By the way, I come to mills and talk to various departments about many subjects. To arrange my custom visit to your mill, just email me at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com or call me at 678-206-6010.

Young Engineering Manager of the Year, call for nominations

We are looking for an individual who has done an extraordinary project, one that almost defies belief. Its extraordinary features can be schedule, technology, cost or all three. There is an age limit on the manager eligible for this award: they must be under 35 years old when they completed the project.

We have often gotten nominees that go something like this, "I nominate Joe because he has done a great job of running our engineering department for the last fifteen years." Quite frankly, we are not interested in such nominees.

However, if you know someone who has led a very exceptional project in the recent past (the last two or three years) and meets our age requirement, we want to know about it. We want to honor them and hold them up as an example for Engineering Managers in every pulp and paper mill around the world.

Just send your nomination, with as much details as you can provide, to jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com. We will seriously consider it.