How we draw the line

One solution.
Three different roles.

A card describes what something contributes to the work. The role may change from one use case to another, but the distinction keeps the conversation practical.

Architectures and digital systems remain distinct labels on the individual cards.
01Does the intelligent work
A compact precision-processing instrument performing one distinct operation.

Technology

Performs a distinct technical capability.

LLM · Machine learning · Computer vision
02Organizes the solution
Three connected technical modules organized into a coherent system.

Systems &
architectures

Combines technologies or supports a recognizable workflow.

RAG · Digital twin · MES
03Makes it possible
A technical foundation integrating sensing and infrastructure beneath a platform.

Enabler

Provides the sensing, data, infrastructure, or connectivity needed.

Sensors · Cloud computing
Explore the cards

Explore how each technology works.

Search the library or combine the filters to understand what each card does, where it helps, and how ready it is to create value.

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01 / 20
A vintage typewriter holding a blank sheet of paper.
TechnologyGenerative AI

Large language model (LLM)

A language engine that reads and writes text. It can draft, summarize, answer questions, or extract information, but it can still be wrong.

Best when

Drafting, summarization, information extraction, conversational assistance, classification, and code support where outputs can be reviewed.

Create & communicateScaling
A scientific multi-tool combining visual, audio, and laboratory instruments.
TechnologyGenerative AI

Multimodal foundation model

One AI model that can work with several kinds of information, such as reading text while also looking at an image.

Best when

Reviewing documents with figures, interpreting images with notes, multimodal search, and assistant experiences that combine text, speech, or vision.

Read & structureDemonstrated
A wooden card catalogue with one drawer open.
ArchitectureKnowledge and search

Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)

The AI first looks in an approved library, then uses what it finds to help answer. This makes answers easier to update and support with sources.

Best when

Policy and procedure assistants, scientific knowledge support, document question answering, and source-grounded drafting.

Search & connect knowledgeScaling
A mechanical watch with its coordinated internal gears visible.
ArchitectureAI development and agent integration

AI agent and agentic workflow

An AI assistant that can take several steps and use approved tools, instead of only giving one answer. Its permissions must be tightly controlled.

Best when

Research workflows, controlled data gathering, service-desk assistance, document preparation, and orchestrated administrative work.

Plan & actDemonstrated
A compact precision camera with a prominent circular lens.
TechnologyComputer vision

Computer vision

AI that looks at pictures or video and identifies what is there or what is happening.

Best when

Inspection support, microscopy analysis, image triage, asset monitoring, counting, and visual search.

See & inspectEstablished
An industrial inspection camera with an integrated ring light.
Digital systemComputer vision

Machine vision system

A camera-based inspection station that checks products or equipment and can signal when something looks wrong.

Best when

Packaging inspection, fill or seal checks, label verification, component presence, robot guidance, and line monitoring.

See & inspectEstablished
A production-control console with organized buttons, toggles, and a central dial.
Digital systemEnterprise and laboratory systems

Manufacturing execution system (MES)

The system that tells production what to make, guides the work, and records what actually happened on the shop floor.

Best when

Production execution, electronic batch records, material genealogy, work instructions, in-process checks, status tracking, and performance reporting.

Plan & actEstablished
A laboratory sample carousel holding capped sample tubes.
Digital systemEnterprise and laboratory systems

Laboratory information management system (LIMS)

The system that tracks samples through the laboratory, records test results, and manages review and approval.

Best when

Quality-control testing, sample management, stability studies, environmental monitoring, laboratory inventory, and result review.

Read & structureEstablished
A compact industrial condition-monitoring sensor with a mechanical dial.
EnablerConnectivity and sensing

Industrial sensors and condition monitoring

Devices that measure what equipment or the environment is doing and can warn when conditions change.

Best when

Equipment condition monitoring, environmental monitoring, utilities, process measurement, calibration, safety, and maintenance prioritization.

Predict & detectEstablished
A compact modular server tower in warm neutral materials.
EnablerInfrastructure and computing

Cloud computing

Computing, storage, or software rented over a network and scaled when needed instead of owning every server yourself.

Best when

Hosting applications, data platforms, AI training and inference, collaboration, backup, integration, and analytics.

Plan & actEstablished
A turbine impeller divided into solid metal and transparent matching halves.
ArchitectureSimulation and digital twins

Digital twin

A living digital model of a real product, process, asset, or system that is updated with real data.

Best when

Process understanding, asset monitoring, virtual commissioning, capacity scenarios, maintenance, training, and optimization.

Predict & detectDemonstrated
A six-axis industrial robot arm with a precision gripper.
TechnologyRobotics and physical automation

Industrial robotics

Programmable machines that move, handle, assemble, inspect, or process physical items.

Best when

Material handling, packaging, palletizing, sampling support, assembly, dispensing, inspection, and hazardous or repetitive work.

Plan & actEstablished
A low-profile autonomous mobile robot with integrated sensors.
TechnologyRobotics and physical automation

Autonomous mobile robot (AMR)

A self-driving cart that moves materials through a facility while finding a safe route around people and obstacles.

Best when

Internal material movement, line-side delivery, warehouse transport, sample movement, waste handling, and repetitive logistics.

Plan & actScaling
A pale wooden abacus with neutral beads arranged into patterns.
TechnologyMachine learning

Machine learning

Software that learns patterns from examples so it can classify, estimate, recommend, or predict without every rule being written by hand.

Best when

Prioritizing records, scoring risk, forecasting demand, detecting patterns, and supporting repeatable decisions where historical examples exist.

Predict & detectEstablished
A wooden loom weaving many threads through successive layers.
TechnologyMachine learning

Neural networks and deep learning

Layered learning models that can recognize complex patterns in images, text, audio, signals, and other high-dimensional data.

Best when

Interpreting complex images or signals, recognizing speech, learning from large datasets, and powering modern foundation models.

Predict & detectEstablished
A closed clothbound book in a warm neutral studio.
TechnologyGenerative AI

Foundation model

A large model trained on broad data that can be adapted to many different tasks instead of being built for only one job.

Best when

Starting new AI solutions quickly, reusing common understanding across processes, and supporting tasks with limited task-specific training data.

Create & communicateScaling
A warm-neutral studio microphone on an integrated stand.
TechnologyLanguage and document intelligence

Speech and audio AI

AI that can understand, transcribe, classify, or generate speech and other audio.

Best when

Capturing meetings, documenting spoken observations, voice-enabled assistance, analyzing calls, and monitoring acoustic events.

Read & structureEstablished
A rugged handheld tablet with reinforced corners and physical controls.
TechnologyInfrastructure and computing

Mobile and handheld computing

Portable phones, tablets, and rugged handheld devices that bring digital information and workflows to the point of work.

Best when

Recording work where it happens, following instructions, checking inventory, completing inspections, and supporting field or shop-floor staff.

Plan & actEstablished
A pair of augmented-reality glasses with integrated cameras.
TechnologyImmersive technologies

Augmented reality system

A system that places digital guidance or information over the user’s view of the real world through a phone, tablet, or headset.

Best when

Step-by-step maintenance or production guidance, remote expert support, equipment identification, training, and design review.

See & inspectDemonstrated
A compact collaborative robot arm with rounded joints and a small gripper.
TechnologyRobotics and physical automation

Collaborative robot (cobot)

An industrial robot designed for tasks where people and robots may work in a shared space under defined safety conditions.

Best when

Repetitive or ergonomic physical work that benefits from flexibility and close coordination with operators.

Plan & actEstablished
(03) Value maturity

How ready is it to create repeatable value?

This is not a technical S-curve. It is a practical view of whether organizations can move from interesting demonstrations to governed, repeatable value.

  1. 01

    Emerging

    New capability with limited proof of repeatable organizational value.

  2. 02

    Demonstrated

    Credible examples exist, but implementation patterns are still developing.

  3. 03

    Scaling

    Multiple organizations are expanding use, with repeatability still uneven.

  4. 04

    Established

    Proven patterns, skills, controls, and suppliers make scaled value attainable.

Each stage is a qualitative editorial assessment stored with its rationale in Airtable. It should be reviewed as implementation evidence and experience develop.

(04) From card to application

A technology only becomes useful in the context of real work.

Each technology card can connect to the use cases, processes, risks, controls, and enablers in the wider Applied AI library.

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