AI in Smart Manufacturing: An Ethical and Legal Perspective

The rapid advancement and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the manufacturing sector and the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics are transforming traditional manufacturing processes. This is significant for Smart Manufacturing and poses immense potential for creating highly efficient, flexible, and interconnected production systems. However, these technological advancements come with substantial ethical and legal considerations that necessitate careful examination and proactive management. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper analyzes the ethical implications of AI implementation in manufacturing, exploring key challenges and opportunities for promoting responsible AI development. The paper presents a comprehensive review of emerging engineering solutions to address ethical concerns and protect intellectual property in the context of AI-driven Smart Manufacturing. It discusses the potential of blockchain technology in ensuring data integrity and transparency, federated learning approaches for collaborative model training while preserving data privacy, and AI transparency mechanisms to enhance trust and accountability in AI systems. Based on previous cases, industry methods, and scholarly discussions, this study provides practical suggestions for dealing with the ethical and intellectual property challenges of integrating AI into manufacturing processes.