In his keynote address delivered at the Annual Meeting for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IISE) Conference & Expo held in Atlanta, Jianjun Shi, the Carolyn J. Stewart Chair and Professor in Georgia Tech’s H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), explored the transformative role of data science and sensor technologies in modern manufacturing.

Titled “Data Modality, Data Science, and Multistage Manufacturing,” Shi’s address emphasized how the integration of cutting-edge technologies (sensors, artificial intelligence, and data science) is reshaping the way engineers understand, monitor, and optimize complex production systems.

“Multistage manufacturing refers to multiple machines, stations or operations interconnected to produce a final product.”

He further explains how at each stage, quality is affected not only by local variation but also by upstream influences. With the rise of advanced sensors, researchers can now gather vast amounts of heterogeneous data. But the challenge lies in merging this data with engineering expertise using data science tools.

Shi’s keynote provided a comprehensive look into how the co-evolution of sensing data modality and data science methodologies is driving advances in variation modeling and analysis of multi-stage manufacturing. He discussed how past research and current applications are unlocking new capabilities in manufacturing productivity and sustainability. 

His talk included real-world examples of industrial projects where machine learning and AI models are being applied to solve long-standing manufacturing challenges.

Beyond technology, Shi also reflected on the broader impact of hosting this year’s conference in Atlanta, particularly for Georgia Tech’s ISyE program, ranked the #1 undergraduate program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

“The ISyE School will greatly benefit from the annual conference being held in Atlanta,” he noted in a recent Q&A with IISE.org. “Many [of our] faculty and students will present their work and assist with the event conference. Attendees often visit the Georgia Tech campus and our school during their stay, enhancing their understanding of our top-ranked industrial and systems engineering program.”

Shi also expressed his own enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the joy of connecting with colleagues and discovering emerging trends in the field. 

“My favorite aspect is reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones within the ISE community. Additionally, learning about new research topics and trends through sessions and discussions is always exciting. Hosting the conference in Atlanta is especially meaningful, offering opportunities to showcase and our wonderful city.”

As industries continue to evolve with digital transformation at the forefront, Professor Shi’s keynote underscored a central message: the future of manufacturing lies at the intersection of engineering, data science, and intelligent sensing – an arena where Georgia Tech’s ISyE is leading the way.