Authors - Mihlali Mqoqi, Marita Turpin, Jean-Paul Van Belle Abstract - The manufacturing industry is undergoing significant changes due to the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This transition has implications, particularly with regards to the skills necessary to adopt and leverage these technologies effectively. This paper addresses the issue of the expanding gap between the skill set in the current workforce and those required for the future of work. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate these skills, which resulted in the selection of 28 studies out of 216 initially identified that offered insights into the benefits and applications of AI in manufacturing. The findings show how AI has altered manufacturing processes through predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and product design. Further, there is a need for targeted upskilling and reskilling programs to bridge the current skill gap and equip the workforce to meet the changing demands of the industry. Initiatives that could be implemented for successful skills development are also discussed.
