A new report provides 360-degree guidance about the implementation of AI-enabled industrial IoT systems.
The Industrial Internet of Things has accelerated the convergence of the once separate domains of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) into cyber-physical systems. This enables modern factories to connect machinery to an array of sensors and monitors that gather, analyze and communicate data with other devices and systems with the aim of improving quality and consistency.
Artificial intelligence technologies are playing a pivotal role in the digital transformation of industry. AI is enabling analytic systems capable of deeper insights, augmenting human decision-making, and driving ever-increasing efficiencies.
"The rapid growth and innovation in the field of AI have unlocked applications that a few years ago were infeasible. These advances are fueling digital transformation across industry sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, finance, and retail," said Wael William Diab, the chair of a group that has produced an important new report, Industrial IoT Artificial Intelligence Framework.
"By taking a holistic approach to the emerging requirements and challenges, the framework aims to accelerate responsible adoption of AI-enabled IIoT systems and ultimately bring the benefits of digital transformation to more use cases and sectors."
The report by the Industrial IoT Consortium provides 360-degree guidance about the implementation of AI-enabled industrial IoT systems, addressing people, processes and technology. The report is aimed at a wide range of industry players, including but not limited to IT and OT decision makers, product managers, systems engineers, and system operators.
It advocates international standards as an essential element of the framework for AI applications in IIoT ecosystems. Among those mentioned in the report are the functional safety standards IEC 61508, for electrical and electronic safety-related systems, and IEC 61511, which addresses safety instrumented systems for the process industry sector.
Also included are ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010, which provides guidance on the creation, analysis and sustainment of architectures of systems through the use of architecture descriptions, and the cyber security standards in the ISO/IEC 27000 family for IT, and IEC 62443 for OT.
The report identifies the international standards ecosystem for artificial intelligence that is being developed by IEC and ISO through a joint committee, which Mr. Diab also leads.
For instance, ISO/IEC 23894 will focus on specific risk management measures for AI, while ISO/IEC 42001 will provide the basis for an AI management system. Both are expected to be ready for publication this year.
(Source: IEC)
