Earlier this year, engineering technology teachers and manufacturers from across Georgia gathered at the University of Georgia’s Innovation Factory to explore the future of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.
The event, hosted by the Georgia Engineering & Technology Education Association (GETEA), brought together more than 100 educators and dozens of industry representatives for a hands-on experience with emerging technologies. Held on UGA’s Athens campus, the event showcased a series of interactive “technology vignettes” developed by students and faculty in the Innovation Factory, a lab within the UGA College of Engineering.
These vignettes—compact, mobile demonstrations of AI-driven tools—are part of Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), which works to bridge the gap between education, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing by making cutting-edge technology accessible across the state.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with small robots, computer vision systems, augmented and virtual reality tools, and sensor-based devices. Each vignette was designed to be low-cost, replicable, and educational, using open-source code, 3D-printable components, and step-by-step guides. These resources empower schools, career academies, and technical colleges to integrate AI and automation into their curricula.
A highlight of the event was a tour of the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio, a high-tech trailer developed in partnership with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). Outfitted with AI-based tools and student-built vignettes, the mobile studio travels across Georgia to bring hands-on learning to rural and underserved communities.
While the mobile studio is a powerful outreach tool, the vignettes themselves are also available for standalone demonstrations. Schools, nonprofits, and community organizations can request visits from the Innovation Factory team, making it easier to bring AI education to spaces that may not accommodate the full mobile lab.
For more information or to request a vignette or mobile studio visit, visit the Georgia AIM website.
