AI drives innovation in pharmaceutical production

From idea to intelligent solution

In practice, digital transformation often begins with seemingly small steps, but artificial intelligence is no longer a topic for the future. Optima's portfolio of digital solutions is also growing continuously: From Changeover Assist and intelligent camera systems to AI Assist. Optima currently offers 14 digital products in the digital service portfolio IPAS (Intelligence Production Assistant Services).

But how are such innovations created? What challenges must be overcome on the journey from idea to finished product – and how will AI change production in the long term? Our experience shows the greatest progress is made where digitization is not seen as the goal, but as a strategic tool for process optimization. 
 

From idea to product: AI as an answer to challenges 

The starting point of many developments is closer to practice than you might think. The impetus is often a specific problem in everyday production. Technological tools, such as ChatGPT, also inspire and trigger thought processes.

The question of how powerful language models can also be used sensibly in industry provided the idea for the AI Assist. The system links various sources of information such as documents, expert knowledge, and current machine data and makes them accessible in natural language via dialogue.

From assistance system to learning process intelligence

AI does not replace humans – it supports them. In production, AI systems today mainly function as assistance solutions. They analyze data, provide recommendations for action, or visualize complex interrelationships.

In the future, AI systems could also contribute independently to process optimization – after prior testing and approval by the human operator. The first approaches already exist. Intelligent camera systems are already able to learn independently and automatically detect deviations.

Another exciting prospect is the digital twin, a virtual image of a real machine that can be used to train AI systems in a protected environment. This makes it possible to accelerate developments, generate data more easily, and carry out testing – before the solution is used in practice.

Special requirements apply, especially in the highly regulated pharmaceutical production environment. Automated learning processes must not run at any time or in an uncontrolled manner. They must be always validated and traceable.
 

AI as an integral part 

At Optima, we don't see AI as a trend, but as a real driver of innovation. The goal is to create intelligent tools that support people, simplify processes, and make production smarter in the long term – characterized by practical relevance and technological expertise.