Quality in the Era of Industry 4.0

2Evolving Paradigm for Quality in the Era of Industry 4.0

In an era of unparalleled innovation, the dawn of Industry 4.0 has redefined our approach to business, manufacturing, and society as a whole. However, our understanding of quality – a concept fundamental to all areas of industry – remains largely predicated on theories and practices over six decades old. These constructs, rooted in the crucible of the Second Industrial Revolution, have served us admirably, but are they adequate for the realities of Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence (AI)? Are they robust and flexible enough to address the seismic shifts brought about by advanced technology and the rapidly changing landscape of contemporary industry?

In the realm of quality management and quality engineering, we are standing at a critical juncture. On one hand, we have the well‐established, tried, and tested paradigms that have shaped the industrial world for decades; on the other hand, we face the complexity and volatility of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an era underpinned by data, interconnectivity, and AI. Quality’s intricate and multidimensional nature necessitates careful, informed adaptation of its definitions and standards.

It is time for a reevaluation, a revolution in our understanding of quality that matches the upheavals of Industry 4.0. However, to navigate this new world, we first need to gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of what quality means in the context of this technological and ...