I read with interest Grant Gerke’s article (Dec. 8, 2017, “Efficient Plant”) that comments on Oil and Gas IQ’s recent “AI 2020” survey. He highlights this prediction from the survey report:
“Applying intelligent automation systems will have the ability to integrate data across multiple platforms to execute functions that would traditionally be carried out by personnel. The resultant efficacy would allow those work-liberated, trained staff to concentrate on higher value tasks and drive further process efficiency.”
This got me to wondering: In so-called smart plants with lubrication maintenance programs, do you think the increased use of IoT data combined with automated lube/grease applications will eventually make human certification irrelevant? Or would this developing AI scenario merely change the nature and scope of certification for lube/oil personnel?