AI for Manufacturing Leaders: From Experimentation to Controlled Advantage
This 4-hour, hands-on course is designed for manufacturing leaders who want to move from unmanaged AI experimentation to a controlled, structured, and scalable approach using the F.O.R.G.E.™ framework.
You will learn how to govern AI, apply it to real operational use cases, and deploy it as augmented intelligence—enhancing your team rather than replacing it.
MORE ABOUT THE COURSE
AI is already inside your organization—whether you’ve approved it or not.
Engineers are experimenting. Teams are adopting tools independently. Knowledge is walking out the door with retiring experts. The real risk isn’t adoption—it’s unmanaged acceleration.
This course is designed for manufacturing leaders who want to take control.
This is not a technical course. It is a practical leadership course focused on real deployment inside manufacturing environments.
You will work through real use cases, build your first applications, and leave with a clear path to implementation.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- How to identify and control shadow AI already happening in your organization
- How to establish governance and guardrails before scaling AI
- Where AI creates the most value first
- The difference between chat, agents, and workflows—and when to use each
- How to structure a knowledge base that makes AI reliable and auditable
- How to deploy AI without disrupting compliance, quality systems, or operations
WHO IT IS FOR
This course is designed for:
- Manufacturing leaders
- Quality managers
- Operations leaders
- Plant managers
- Business owners and exective
This course is not designed for:
- AI engineers or developers
- IT departments seeking technical implementation training
- Advanced AI practitioners
THE F.O.R.G.E.™ FRAMEWORK
This course is built around Ledge’s structured AI deployment model:
- F — Find the Shadow
Surface unmanaged AI use across your business
- O — Own the Guardrails
Define policy, data boundaries, and governance
- R — Remove the Friction
Apply AI to non-value-added operational work
- G — Gather the Judgment
Capture expert knowledge before it retires
- E — Expand the Advantage
Scale what works across your organization
QUESTIONS?
Sarah Keith
skeith@mdmep.org
WORKSHOP SESSION
- October 14
- 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- MD MEP Office – Address TBA
Lunch will be provided following the training, with time to network with fellow manufacturing leaders.
LOCATION
Maryland MEP Office
7226 Lee Deforest Drive, Suite 103, 21046
COST
$175.00 / Person
CONTACT
For questions regarding this workshop, please contact:
Sara Keith
skeith@mdmep.org
