The advanced manufacturing sector is facing significant challenges, including supply chain instability, the rapid integration of AI, and a retirement-driven workforce decline. The good news is that help is on the horizon. AIChE is making Advanced Manufacturing a priority and is doing so with its newest strategic initiative, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (AMI for short).
AMI’s mission is to develop a collaborative community focused on supporting advanced manufacturing and chemical process innovation through connecting, learning, and sharing. AMI is designed to support and enhance the advanced manufacturing sector through innovative programming aimed at addressing timely, trending, and future pain points for stakeholders in and adjacent to the industry. As an "open source" community positioned strategically for collective action to address the varying needs of the advanced manufacturing sector from multi-stakeholder vantage points, AMI’s charge is to unlock the potential for growth and long-term success of the advanced manufacturing sector in collaborative partnership with its stakeholders.
With its cross-functionality and agile responsiveness to stakeholder needs, AMI will focus on catalyzing action that leads to innovative solutions. AMI is targeting industry and industry-adjacent leaders, experts, innovators, and ambassadors who are united by their interest in enhancing chemical processing and technical innovation. Membership is available with a low barrier to entry: members join as individuals or via a corporate membership and have access to AMI-exclusive opportunities to connect, learn, and drive innovative problem-solving efforts in national and global advanced manufacturing.
AMI in action
AMI soft-launched its solutions-focused programming at AIChE’s 2025 Annual Conference last November. Designed as a hands-on workshop, AMI’s facilitators, Julia Faeth and Natalie O’Neil, led RAPID members and invited participants through collaboration-driven exercises to identify major pain points impacting advanced manufacturing. The two-hour workshop first highlighted the integral partnership between industry, academia, entrepreneurs, and investors via an expert-panel, and then transitioned into a series of team-building activities focused on identifying the collective concerns advanced manufacturing is facing. The workshop was a success not only because it demonstrated an opportunity for industry growth through the addition of industry-adjacent stakeholders, but also because it revealed key priorities for AMI to address in 2026.
AMI at Spring
AMI intends to keep the momentum going at AIChE’s Spring Meeting, where stakeholders interested in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 can participate in a topical “speed-networking” workshop supporting AMI’s efforts to help stakeholders connect, learn, and innovate. AMI will also be offering office hours and partnering with RAPID on the following technical sessions:
- Advancing Innovation, Efficiency, and Resilience in Modern Manufacturing
- Intensified Reaction and Separation Processes I
- Intensified Reaction and Separation Processes II
- Poster Session: Process Intensification
As AMI’s name implies, innovation is at the core of all it does. Through the leadership of AMI Directors Natalie and Julia, programming will include novel experiments, pilot initiatives, and forward-thinking strategies as it strives to ensure the community is driven by member input. AMI’s first-year goals include increased member opportunities for engagement, participation, and sharing insights. Luckily, AMI isn’t starting from scratch. AMI will be the new home of AIChE’s Advanced Manufacturing & Processing Society (AMPs). It will also leverage its connections with RAPID and other AIChE entities as it continues to develop throughout 2026.
Ways to connect
- Explore the initiative, learn about membership options, and discover how to get involved at www.aiche.org/ami.
- You can also connect in person by participating in AMI programming at the 2026 AIChE Spring Meeting taking place April 12–16 in Houston, TX.
