Industry 4.0 has been a heated topic worldwide over the last decade. Many countries continue to release their strategic industrial development plans. For example, China has long been concerned about manufacturing industry upgrades, Germany issued the National Industry Strategy 3.0, the US announced the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing, and Japan launched its concept of Society 5.0.
Despite different countries having different focuses, a consensus is reached among them: Digital technology is crucial for future industrial transformation. Therefore, we have invited UIC Chair Professor Wang Qing-Guo, whose works cover the cores of Industry 4.0, to share his insights on industrialisation from his field of specialisation.
Prof Wang Qing-Guo is an expert in Automation/AI. After his academic career with the National University of Singapore and the University of Johannesburg for decades, he joined UIC in 2020 with an A-rating from the National Research Foundation of South Africa and as a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
Prof Wang Qing-Guo
His research focuses on modelling, estimation, prediction, control and optimisation with a wide range of applications, including industrial and environmental processes, energy systems and more.
Recently, Prof Wang Qing-Guo has been selected among the top 500 scientists worldwide and No.1 in South Africa in Electronics and Electrical Engineering by the international academic website Research.com. He was also named on the World's Top 2% Scientists list each year during 2020- 2022 by Stanford University.
China's industrialisation is unique from three dimensions
With increasing automation and the deployment of smart machines and smart factories, Prof Wang said that the world was adapting to the era of Industry 4.0.
In his opinion, during the transition, the current leading countries were Germany, China, the US and Japan.
Being the only developing country, Prof Wang said that China has its own characteristics and advantages in industrialisation.
Firstly, while China is advancing to a higher level of manufacturing, technologies from the previous industrial revolutions are mixed and applied nationwide because of its diverse modes of production.
Secondly, China's industrialisation scale is unparalleled in density and depth after decades of fast development.
Prof Wang added that such discrepancies also lead to two kinds of understanding of automation in the academic field.
"In China, due to the massive development and applications of automation, automation is treated as an independent subject in universities and colleges. But in foreign countries, it is often merged into various disciplines rather than considered a separate discipline. So China has more talents in automation than the rest of the world."
A UIC student conducts scientific research in the lab
Finally, an increase in the production cost caused by workers' wages, land, etc., is quite visible in the country, creating a unique timing for it to enhance the current level of industrialisation and the quality of products and equipment made in China.
"The government has issued various policies and documents to support the universities and colleges and companies to innovate and cooperate," said Prof Wang. "It creates a supportive environment for the key parties to eye on the technological transformation dedicatedly."
Digital skills like AI may be the basic requirement for future workforce
When referring to advanced manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence is put in a crucial position, especially with its rapid progress in recent years and it is mentioned by many countries in their strategic plans.
Prof Wang said that the technical bases of automation and AI have significant overlaps: both rely on sensing, data, modelling, simulation and decision making et al. They both automate human operations.
Prof Wang delivers a lecture on Intelligent Dynamic Supply-Demand Management
He believed that the future growth of AI would be promising, and it could save human labour and release more people from daily trifles to innovate and create.
Prof Wang said that the technology of AI had been widely adopted in various fields, and he demonstrated it with his own research projects.
"Currently, I am working on an intelligent manufacturing system which relies on big data and AI, and it can help factories to improve production efficiency, save costs and maximise profit."
"Another project of mine is in the medical field, and AI is used for breast cancer diagnosis. I hope to develop an automatic diagnosis system with higher precision and accuracy."
UIC has labs that promote the research of Artificial Intelligence
Although the development of AI can release more human potential and bring more profit, there are still concerns that the technology may erode our society, fearing that part of the current occupations may be replaced.
"The development of AI will certainly transform the job market significantly. Some jobs are gone and other jobs are created. I am confident that humans are still irreplaceable for our abilities in innovation and creating," said Prof Wang.
"However, it is vital for one to catch up with the rapid technological progress in AI and adapt to the new job world to seize the digital opportunities," he added.
UIC cultivates interdisciplinary talents to strengthen industrial power
The application fields of automation and AI are broad. They often intersect with various disciplines. UIC is always dedicated to cultivating interdisciplinary talents with liberal arts education to prepare its students to adapt to a fast-developing world in the new industrial era.
Regarding working at UIC, Prof Wang said although UIC is a young college, it is vigorous and full of possibilities.
"It's rich in international faculty resources and its curriculum setting is aligning with global standards. It cultivates students with critical thinking and updated knowledge and mindset."
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research and Application for Data Science settles at UIC
Due to the exceptional location of UIC, the College can capitalise on resources of the Chinese mainland, especially the Greater Bay Area, and connect to the world. As a result, Prof Wang can conduct research at home while closely cooperating with international institutes.
Prof Wang has recruited some doctoral students since 2021, and they are working on AI-related projects.
"I believe the opportunities for UIC to develop in teaching and research will abound, and it can definitely educate talents with Chinese characteristics and global vision. Therefore, I am very willing to work at UIC, to train better talents and do better scientific research."
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu
Photos provided by the interviewees and Season Li
Editor: Deen He
