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@AuManufacturing Conversations
@AuManufacturing Conversations is a regular interview program hosted by Brent Balinski (with other hosts occasionally) bringing you discussions with the folks who are contributing to a critical part of Australia's economy.
We hope to capture something of the variety of manufacturing, its place in the nation, its changing nature, and some of the personalities within it.
From the boutique to the billion dollar, if it's manufacturing and it's Australian, then it likely matters to us. This podcast is an extension of the @AuManufacturing news and analysis website and the community around it, and complements what's written online at www.aumanufacturing.com.au.
Interested in advertising? Get in touch via editor@aumanufacturing.com.au
@AuManufacturing Conversations
Episode 136 -- Valantis Vais from MYOB
In this episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations, published in partnership with MYOB, we consider the practical adoption of modern-day artificial intelligence. Valantis Vais, General Manager - Product and Product Marketing at MYOB, discusses the current uptake by manufacturers, a concept borrowed from SAE's Levels of Driving Automation, the implications of agentic AI, and more.
Episode guide
0:53 – An introduction to our guest.
1:50 – What do we mean when we talk about AI in business.
2:58 – Traditional AI or machine learning e.g. vision systems.
3:32 – Generative AI or LLMs. The current wave.
4:14 – Agentic AI. The future. Also leverages LLMs, but able to complete end-to-end automation.
5:10 – Examples of agentic AI experiences in the office.
6:05 – Where is AI making a difference to productivity.
6:52 – Mapping autonomy in business onto the different levels of autonomy for cars and how it could play out over time.
8:16 – Where AI is providing benefits currently, such as in consistent and accurate documentation and improved administration.
9:20 – How companies can make use of the huge amounts of data that they currently collect or could be collecting.
10:15 – Profitability challenges and how AI might come up with answers.
10:50 – Leading applications from those surveyed include in payroll, inventory and supply chain optimisation and reducing administration tasks.
12:05 – The starting point is a foundation of digital data, stored in the cloud, and going business-first rather than technology-first.
13:20 – You should also consider the emotional aspect and how people understand their use of AI.
14:40 – Instead of waiting for shopfloor reports, line-level reports can be summarised and updated regularly.
16:05 – Top challenges for adopting cloud. The top answers were lack of inhouse expertise, high and unpredictable migration costs, and ongoing operational costs. The answer might be starting with pilots.
17:40 – Work with partners who understand your business’s “from” and “to”.
19:35 – What 2026 could deliver for businesses' AI adoption.
21:46 – MYOB’s Acumatica’s three pillars.
22:38 – A message to those on the fence: there are no shortcuts and here’s why.
