From early design to delivery, AI is seen as having a key role in a new wave of manufacturing. Its ability to process and analyse huge volumes of data is already helping manufacturers predict and prepare for potential disruption. Computer vision, which involves training machines to recognise objects in images and video, is another type of AI being used across some of the world’s factories to detect product defects at-scale. A minute of factory downtime can cost companies thousands of pounds, and increased delays can mean missing out on consumer demand at critical moments like the festive period or Black Friday. Has AI done more harm that good to humans ?