Wisconsin looks to land millions in manufacturing AI money

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin is looking at another artificial intelligence project.

The state’s economic development arm, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., announced it is putting together a concept paper for a new manufacturing AI effort.

WEDC boss Missy Hughes said if Wisconsin is chosen, it could unlock a new wave of investment into the state.

“The potential is, between federal funding and private sector matching, to be a 10s of millions of dollar-investment in this opportunity,” Hughes said.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is driving the project. NIST said there is $70 million available for five-year projects.

“AI has enormous potential to make us smarter, faster and more innovative, but we have to work together to maximize its benefits and mitigate its risks,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement. “Through this new AI-focused Manufacturing USA institute, we will help leverage AI to supercharge manufacturing, empower our workforce and create secure, resilient supply chains.”

Hughes said UW-Milwaukee, Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee Tool and Husco International are all involved in the project.

“We are somewhat bullish about Wisconsin’s opportunity to get this,” Hughes said. “We don’t have anything like this in the state even though we are so heavily manufacturing-oriented.”

Hughes added Wisconsin is also looking to lean on Microsoft’s new AI and data center in Racine County for any artificial intelligence project going forward.

“Given the opportunities, you know, we’ve developed recently around the co-innovation lab and Microsoft landing here, we feel pretty good that we have a good opportunity to land this institute,” Hughes said.

NIST said the eventual manufacturing AI project must have a specific focus.

“Proposals must address a compelling U.S. industrial need, demonstrate significant industry buy-in, and avoid duplicating the efforts of existing Manufacturing USA institutes and the planned Department of Commerce-sponsored Digital Twins Institute for Semiconductor Manufacturing,” NIST said in its statement.

Wisconsin’s concept paper is due to NIST by the end of the month.

Wisconsin will find out if it makes the cut shortly after that.