Machine co-creativity is the machine’s use of artificial intelligence in assisting and collaborating with humans in the formation of artistic endeavors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not yet gained the ability to engage and author creative stuff solely, and as such, machines with AI only act to catalyze human creativity. According to Woo (2020) in the human-machine co-creation paper, the vital part of human interaction is the intuition for both contextual awareness and empathy, while AI lacks such instinct. The emerging concept from machine co-creativity is that machines utilize AI to improve and advance creativity but not replace or replicate it. This is the process referred to as co-creativity.  

 Examples of Machine Co-Creativity in Engineering and Applications

           As an illustration of such performances of machine co-creativity enhancing the creative process, the AI platform for IBM Watson was utilized to produce the first AI-generated trailer for a horror movie called Morgan (Anantrasirichai, & Bull, 2020). The system analyzed hundreds of other horror film structures, including visuals and sounds, thereby picking fitting scenes from Morgan for editing by humans into a trailer. Another example is when the machines help in generative design, as depicted by Philippe Starck when he cooperated with Autodesk to fashion a new design for a chair (Lund, 2020). Questions like, “How can we rest our bodies with least effort amount?” Hence, the Software generated multiple possible designs for their selection, and the final design, the chair called AI, claimed an award in 2019 at the Milan Design Week.

The core differences between 3D and 4D printing

3D printing technology involves using hardware in the deposition of material layer-wise in exact geometric forms to producing objects while utilizing Software known as Computer-Aided Design (CAD). On the other hand, 4D printing builds objects layer by layer using 3D technology, but it uses smart materials like photo-polymeric material. Thus, the 4D printing process entails creating 3D objects using intelligent materials that can transform their shape in the presence of stimuli such as light, water, and heat. Thus, in 4D printing, the object structure can undergo preprogramming in terms of design to self-assemble (Quanjin et al., 2020).

Two examples for 3D printing in Project Management

An example of 3D printing in project management is the Shell’s Stones Project, the deepest subsea development project globally. It operates in the Gulf of Mexico in over 9,000 feet of water detaching an 80-foot buoy of about 1,200 metric tons in the production of gas and oil in harsh weather. In normal circumstances, creating a buoy from a computer model takes several months; however, in 3D printing, the model was finished in about four weeks. In aerospace engineering for simulator project, project managers can send data concerning a damaged part of an airplane for printing in the nearest station close to an airport (Romero-Torres & Vieira, 2016).

Influence of autonomous cars on constructions/manufacturing

Autonomous vehicles are anticipated to decrease the demand for personal vehicles significantly. This demand reduction translates to shrinking sales and production volumes in the manufacturing industry. Thus, it compels dealerships and car manufacturers to invest in the new production technologies or invest in car-fleet management or car-sharing services. The automotive industry is centered on the cooperation of various manufacturers and those who supply technologies and parts. As such, such collaboration is essential to influence the manufacturing and continuation of innovation.

Applications for Drones in project management and Examples

In the horticultural industry, where different projects are managed for efficient production, farmers utilize drones to monitor their produce regularly. The drones contain infrared sensors, which can be tuned to detect crops’ health, and subsequent reactions of fertilizer and pesticide application commenced (Ayamga et al., 2021). Also, drones can help the disaster managers such as the Red Cross gather data after a natural disaster by traversing rubble debris to locate victims. The sensors, radars, and cameras provide rescue crews with a broader field of view, reducing expenditure on more resources like helicopters. Lastly, delivery companies can utilize drones to manage product delivery to customers. Companies such as DHL and UPS use drones to save on the workforce and avoid needless road traffic. They can deliver small packages like medicine, food, and beverages.

What Nano-technologies offers project managers

Nanotechnology offers project managers several benefits in project management. In energy projects, nanotechnology offers important improvements for the advancement of renewable energy origins (sun, water, geothermal, and wind) and conventional sources like fossil fuels. The heavy-duty nano-materials for rough rotor blades of wind power plants that are lighter allow for lifespan and efficiency optimization of systems by utilizing protection layers for corrosion of constituents stressed mechanically like the gearboxes and bearings. Nanotechnologies play a decision-making role for project managers, mainly in the increased solar energy utilization via photovoltaic systems (Chhokar et al., 2018). Thus, nanotechnology influences manager decisions in various value-chain parts like sources, energy distribution, usage, and storage.

Examples of applications in manufacturing.

Nanotechnology is used in the manufacture of car parts like tires. Manufacturers of car tires use polymer nano-composites in quality tires to enhance wear resistance and durability. These manufacturers can also apply nanotechnology in producing motor oil. Additionally, nanotechnology aids in the manufacture of nano-transistors and other electric and electronic devices. These devices are made from carbon nanotubes. The highly small-scale allows for possible printing of thin and flexible objects such as gas sensors and plastic solar boards. There have been nano-manufacturing technologies incorporating 3D printing to create scalable and complex designs. As such, there has been a production of primitive molecular motors by scientists.

References

Anantrasirichai, N., & Bull, D. (2020). Artificial Intelligence in the Creative Industries: A Review. arXiv preprint arXiv:2007.12391.

Ayamga, M., Akaba, S., & Nyaaba, A. A. (2021). Multifaceted applicability of drones: A review. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 167, 120677.

Chhokar, V., Singh, N., Kumar, A., Kumar, S., Kumari, S., Thakur, R., … & Chaudhury, A. (2018). Proceedings of the international conference on bio and nano-technologies for sustainable agriculture, food, health, energy and industry. Research Reports, 2.

Lund, J. T. (2020). Coalesce: Leveraging Generative Tools in Industrial Design Practice (Doctoral dissertation).

Quanjin, M., Rejab, M. R. M., Idris, M. S., Kumar, N. M., Abdullah, M. H., & Reddy, G. R. (2020). Recent 3D and 4D intelligent printing technologies: A comparative review and future perspective. Procedia Computer Science, 167, 1210-1219.

Romero-Torres, Alejandro & Vieira, Darli. (2016). IS 3D printing transforming the project management function in the aerospace industry?. Journal of Modern Project Management. 4. 113-119.

Woo, Wai Lok. (2020). Human-Machine Co-Creation in the Rise of AI. IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine. 23. 71-73. 10.1109/MIM.2020.9062691.