WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing titled AI in Manufacturing: Securing American Leadership in Manufacturing and the Next Generation of Technologies.

“The manufacturing sector is crucial to the American economy as it spurs job creation, supports innovation, and contributes significantly to GDP. The manufacturing sector also plays a key role in exporting goods and ensuring global competitiveness. The industry faces new opportunities as it fully embraces the potential of artificial intelligence applications that improve efficiency through automation, optimize supply chains, and enhance product quality," said Chairman Bilirakis. "Yesterday's CMT hearing provided thoughtful insight as to how this sector of the American economy can utilize AI technologies to ensure America’s continued dominance in the field by further streamlining operations and increasing domestic manufacturing. We look forward to working with the administration and industry to that harnesses this potential.”

Watch the full hearing here.

Below are key excerpts from yesterday’s hearing:

Subcommittee Vice Chairman Russ Fulcher (ID-01): “Manufacturing is the core of our economy. It contributes to more applications, is more sophisticated, and operates in a highly competitive environment with countries like China. China's manufacturing value-add and contribution to global GDP continues to outpace the United States and China produces more goods in the US in 9 of the top 11 manufacturing industries. But the US could outcompete and outperform China or any other country if we fully utilize our technologies, resources, and personnel…We need to learn how AI can help improve the production process, empowering the line worker to catch defects, innovate processes, and improve safety.”

Congressman John James (MI-10): “I recognize the grand opportunity that we have in front of us to pass real, substantive policy to benefit the American people as it pertains to AI and manufacturing. If we don't lead in AI, the Chinese Communist Party will have all the brain power because they've stolen our IP, and they will have all the manpower because they're using slave labor to end Western civilization without firing a shot. It's simply not enough to close our eyes and hope for the best.”

Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07): “Back home in my district, in Florence, South Carolina, GE Healthcare manufactures some of the best MRI machines and systems in the world. These systems are used to provide a high-quality patient care in the US and around the world. And they leverage AI to enhance imaging speed and quality, helping doctors make faster and more accurate diagnoses. But AI's impact extends far beyond just healthcare. It is improving forecasting, planning, and process optimization at GE healthcare is manufacturing facilities, ensuring efficiency from the production line to the supply chain.”

###