Honeywell and Caterpillar CTOs Unveil AI Blueprint to Tackle Labor Shortages and Skills Gaps in Manufacturing

Honeywell, Caterpillar CTOs Say AI Can Ease Labor, Skills Gaps in Manufacturing At the Fortune Brainstorm Tech 2025 conference in Park City, Utah, Suresh Venkatarayalu, chief technology officer and president of Honeywell Connected Enterprise, and Jaime Mineart, CTO at Caterpillar, made a compelling case for artificial intelligence (AI) as a solution to labor and skills gaps in manufacturing. According to Venkatarayalu, 20% of Honeywell's software code is now written by AI-assisted tools like GitHub Copilot. However, this shift has not led to a corresponding reduction in the company's workforce. Instead, it has enabled developers to focus on more complex tasks, such as spending more time on high-level design and architecture. "We're not replacing human developers with machines," Venkatarayalu emphasized. "We're augmenting their capabilities, allowing them to be more productive and efficient." Mineart echoed this sentiment, noting that AI can help alleviate the skills gap in manufacturing by automating routine tasks and freeing up human workers to focus on higher-value activities. Background and Context The manufacturing industry has long struggled with labor shortages and skills gaps. As the demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply, companies are turning to AI as a potential solution. Honeywell Connected Enterprise, which provides software solutions for industrial customers, has been at the forefront of this trend. By leveraging AI-assisted tools like GitHub Copilot, Honeywell's developers can write code faster and with greater accuracy. Additional Perspectives Industry experts agree that AI has the potential to transform manufacturing by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing product quality. However, there are also concerns about job displacement and the need for workers to develop new skills to work alongside machines. "AI is not a replacement for human ingenuity," said Dr. Fei-Fei Li, director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab. "It's a tool that can augment our capabilities and help us solve complex problems." Current Status and Next Developments As AI continues to evolve and improve, its potential applications in manufacturing are vast. From predictive maintenance to supply chain optimization, AI is poised to revolutionize the industry. Venkatarayalu and Mineart's comments at Fortune Brainstorm Tech 2025 underscore the importance of embracing AI as a solution to labor and skills gaps in manufacturing. As the industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: AI will play an increasingly prominent role in shaping its future. Sources Suresh Venkatarayalu, chief technology officer and president, Honeywell Connected Enterprise Jaime Mineart, CTO, Caterpillar Dr. Fei-Fei Li, director, Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab *Reporting by Fortune.*