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*New* Smart Manufacturing AI Essentials | Winter 2027
Event Date:
January 26, 2027
Event Time:
8:00 AM
Event Location:
Manufacturers Resource Center, 7200A Windsor Dr, Allentown, PA, 18106
Your team didn’t get into manufacturing to write reports and fill out forms. AI can help with that.
AI Essentials is a four-hour hands-on class where participants will be guided through the practical application of artificial intelligence in a manufacturing environment. Most manufacturers are hearing a lot about AI right now but aren’t sure where it actually fits in their operation. This class is designed to answer that question in plain language, without the hype.
The focus of this class is on how AI can take on the time-consuming tasks that pull your team away from the work that matters most. Writing procedures, summarizing documents, drafting communications, and generating reports are all things AI can help with, giving your people more time to focus on the problems that actually need their experience and judgment.
Participants will work hands-on with AI tools during class using whatever platform they already have access to, applying what they learn directly to real tasks from their own operation. A visit to the Smart Manufacturing Resource Center gives participants a firsthand look at AI working inside a manufacturing environment to spark ideas for how it could be applied in their own facility.
The class also addresses the practical questions manufacturers need answered before moving forward. What does AI get wrong and how do you catch it? What should stay out of a public AI tool? How do you introduce AI to a team that may be skeptical? Participants leave with a Prompt Workbook of ready-to-use templates, an AI Readiness Scorecard, and a realistic starting point for taking the next step.
Course Highlights
- Hands-on experience using AI tools during class on real tasks from your own operation
- Practical ways AI can take time-consuming tasks off your team’s plate
- Straight answers to the questions manufacturers have before moving forward with AI
- A Prompt Workbook of ready-to-use templates built specifically for manufacturing
- A clear picture of where your operation stands and what to focus on first
Who Should Attend
This course is ideal for Plant Managers and Operations Managers, Continuous Improvement and Lean Managers, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Managers, Business Owners and General Managers, and Project Managers.
Questions? Contact Nicole Pierce at (484) 655-4873 or nicole.pierce@mrcpa.org.
Instructor
Shawn Furman | MRC Director, Automation and Manufacturing Technology Strategy
Shawn Furman helps manufacturers navigate the complexity of modern operations, guiding them toward smarter, more efficient performance through automation, robotics, digital transformation, and IT integration. His work focuses on delivering measurable improvements in quality, productivity, and innovation.
With 20 years of leadership in Electrical and Automation Engineering, Shawn brings a strong blend of technical expertise and practical experience. He has led engineering and maintenance teams across well-known manufacturing organizations and understands what it takes to run high-performing facilities.
Before joining MRC, Shawn held leadership roles at Boston Beer, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, and The Hershey Company. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College and is a certified TWI Job Instruction trainer.
Shawn partners with manufacturers to develop technology roadmaps and implement solutions that deliver lasting impact.
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Attendee Information :
Note: All registration fees must be received in advance of the date of your event. MRC must be notified two weeks in advance of this event if you need to cancel, otherwise we can only grant a credit to another MRC event. Remember, you can also send a substitute.