Ford says AI failed to match human expertise, rehires 350 engineers: ‘Only as Good as its training’
American automaker Ford has rehired approximately 350 experienced engineers after finding that its AI-supported quality control systems were not meeting expectations. The decision follows Ford’s wider adoption of AI across its operations aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency. But the company concluded that the automated systems could not match the judgment and practical experience that engineers had gained over decades of vehicle development.
Ford admits it overlooked experienced engineers
Charles Poon, Ford’s vice president of vehicle hardware engineering, said the company underestimated the value of its most experienced workforce as it expanded its use of artificial intelligence.
“AI is a great tool, but it’s only as good as the information you use to train it,” Poon said, according to the BBC.
He added: “In previous years, we did not pay as much attention to the experience of our most knowledgeable engineers, who have been with us through many product cycles.”
According to Poon, many experienced engineers left the company before their expertise could be used to develop AI systems. As a result, automated tools lacked practical knowledge and insights gained from years of hands-on experience.
“We thought, wrongly, that we could produce a high-quality product just by introducing AI and absorbing the design requirements we had,” he said.
Ford’s broader AI strategy
This development comes after Ford’s Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra said last year that the company was “deploying artificial intelligence across the entire industrial system.”
As part of this strategy, Ford has installed approximately 900 AI-enabled cameras in its manufacturing facilities. The technology was introduced to detect manufacturing defects at an early stage and help reduce supply chain disruptions.
General Motors faces criticism over automation
While Ford is bringing back experienced engineers, American automaker General Motors has faced criticism for its increased use of automation.
Labor unions have criticized the company for laying off more than 1,000 people at its main assembly plant in Detroit and bringing in 50 robotic units to take over some production tasks.
General Motors said robotic systems form part of its long-term automation strategy and aims to strengthen competitiveness while improving workplace safety.
“We are installing cobots throughout our manufacturing floor as part of a broader effort to bring more advanced technology to our operations,” spokesman Kevin Kelly said.
“At Factory ZERO, we implement these together with our team, helping to improve safety and ergonomics while keeping our operations flexible and competitive.”
