Description

AWT and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Initiative for New Manufacturing Forum: Research, Application, and the Road Ahead

Come for all or part of the day to meet the panelists and participate in discussions.

AWT and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Initiative for New Manufacturing will host an all-day panel discussion event on March 6, 2026, at the AWT Training Center, bringing together manufacturers from Northeast Ohio and leading MIT researchers. The event will feature a series of interactive panel discussions focused on manufacturing innovation, technology, and workforce impact. It is a unique opportunity for regional manufacturers to engage directly with MIT faculty, exchange perspectives, and explore how research and industry can collaborate to address real-world manufacturing challenges and opportunities. 

Attention High Schoolers: High Schoolers have the opportunity to participate in the LEGO-themed introduction to manufacturing with Dr. John Liu of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Initiative for New Manufacturing. The session runs from 3 PM to 4:30 PM at our AWT Transformation Training Center. 

Panelists include MIT INM professors Suzanne Berger, Ben Armstrong, Chris Love, David Mindell, Duane S. Boning, Zachery Cordero, and John Liu. Local panelists include Susan Helper of Case Western Reserve University, Matt Schron of Jergens, Laurie Pogel of Swagelok, and Mike Boorstein of BWX Technologies, and more.

Panels

10 - 11 AM Human-Centered Automation: Building Better Manufacturing Jobs Innovation and technology adoption are critical to improving manufacturing productivity, but it often takes a long time for new technologies to move from the lab to the factory floor. This discussion will ask manufacturers about the process of technology adoption and how to overcome the obstacles that stand in manufacturers’ way.

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Discovery to Delivery: Building the Next Generation of Biomanufacturing The bio economy has a broad scope – from food to energy and medicine – and presents new opportunities for manufacturers. However, there are also additional technological and regulatory challenges associated with the growing industry.

Boxed lunches will be served.

12:30 - 1:30 PM Innovation and Industrial Growth: Building What Works There is a growing number of manufacturing startups, as well as a new funding ecosystem to support them. While these startups are often selling a new kind of manufacturing, they typically rely on established suppliers. This panel will discuss the path to growth for manufacturing startups.

1:30 - 2:30 PM Data, Design, and Diagnostics: Building AI into Manufacturing Many manufacturers are experimenting with AI, but are not yet certain of the ways that these tools can deliver value for their businesses. In this panel, MIT scholars who have studied AI in manufacturing will share examples of where AI can be useful.

2:30 - 3:00 PM An AI-accelerated Competition to Build a Gas Turbine Presentation on the competition, results and findings.

3:00 - 4:30 PM A Lego Themed Introduction to Manufacturing High School students will participate in this activity and interaction discussion.