AI from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: Engineering for Social Change

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 has ushered in unprecedented advancements in automation, data exchange, and manufacturing technologies, primarily driven by artificial intelligence (AI). As we transition to Industry 5.0, the emphasis shifts from mere automation to a harmonious collaboration between humans and intelligent systems, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and societal wellbeing. This Special Issue aims to explore how AI and the upcoming Generative AI (GenAI) can be harnessed to engineer social change, fostering an inclusive, ethical, and human-centric industrial paradigm.

We are excited to announce a call for papers to be submitted to our upcoming Special Issue, dedicated to "AI From Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: Engineering for Social Change". This Special Issue will delve into the applications of AI technologies in Industry 4.0 and their evolution into the socially responsible frameworks of Industry 5.0, encompassing smart manufacturing and smart cities.

Scenes and topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. AI-Driven Sustainability in Smart Manufacturing

• Waste Reduction: Using AI for predictive analytics and process optimization to minimize material waste and enhance recycling.
• Supply Chain Sustainability: Integrating AI to develop sustainable supply chain practices, such as reducing carbon footprints and improving resource allocation.

2. AI-driven Order Fulfillment and Smart Commercialization

• Optimized Inventory Management: Using AI to predict demand and manage inventory levels efficiently.
• Automated Order Processing: Implementing AI for real-time order processing and error reduction.
• Personalized Customer Experience: Leveraging AI to analyze customer data and provide personalized shop** experiences and recommendations.

3. Human–AI Collaboration for Enhanced Workplace Safety and Productivity

• Training and Skill Development: Develo** AI-driven training programs that adapt to individual learning needs and enhance worker skills in a dynamic industrial setting.
• Augmented Workforce: Utilizing AI-powered wearable technology and robotics to assist workers in hazardous environments.
• Ergonomics and Health Monitoring: Implementing AI systems to monitor worker health, ergonomics, and fatigue to prevent workplace injuries.

4. Ethical AI and Governance Frameworks for Industry 5.0

• AI for Resilience: Enhancing community and industrial resilience in the face of global challenges.
• AI in Education and Skills Development: Advancing education and training to prepare the workforce for Industry 5.0.
• Policy and Governance: Develo** policies and governance models for ethical AI deployment.
• Bias and Fairness: Develo** methods to detect and mitigate biases in AI systems to ensure fair treatment of all stakeholders.
• Transparency and Accountability: Creating frameworks that enhance the transparency of AI decision-making processes and establish accountability mechanisms.
• Regulatory and Policy Recommendations: Proposing policy guidelines and regulatory measures that support ethical AI development and deployment in industrial applications.

We welcome original research articles, review papers, case studies, and perspectives that offer valuable insights into the application of AI technologies in the Industry 5.0 era and smart manufacturing and smart cities.

Dr. Ching-Hung Lee
Dr. Lingguo Bu
Dr. Danni Chang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.longhoe.net by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Industry 4.0
• Industry 5.0
• digital product–service systems
• smart manufacturing
• human–AI collaboration
• generative AI