Artificial intelligence is not coming for jobs in the abstract. It is coming for tasks, and the maintenance and reliability world sits directly at this crossroads.

On one hand, AI can process years of work orders, interpret patterns in vibration and oil analysis, map failure precursors, and generate predictive recommendations faster than any human analyst. On the other hand, no algorithm can yet replace the skilled craftsperson who understands how a machine feels, sounds, and behaves under load.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Plant Services chief editor Thomas Wilk talks with Michael D. Holloway of 5th Order Industry about the kinds of work that AI will likely consume in the near-term and long-term.

There are interesting and encouraging data points amid all the confusion, with some trends emerging about job shop activity, high-demand industries, and manufacturing employment.

New orders for CNC machines are a reliable indicator of near-term growth in manufacturing activity - in nearly every major manufacturing sector - because those purchases mean operations are preparing for new business coming their way. And 2025 order values are on pace to top 2024.

So what is the continuing debate about interest rates and inflation? And what trends might we watch bear out in 2026? AMT principal economist Chris Chizik describes what the data reveals about manufacturing growth.

AI is getting better at predicting potential outcomes, but the technology still isn’t as reliable as humans at coming up with predictions that put everything into context for what it all means. In this podcast, Material Handling & Logistics’ chief editor, Dave Blanchard, takes listeners on a fast-paced tour of predictions for what the supply chain will look like in 2026 and beyond, featuring insights from some of the industry’s best thinkers and thought leaders.

We've all heard someone say it recently: Nobody wants to work these days. It's the refrain of a stressed manager who's short-staffed and losing production capacity because the company can't recruit people.

Even if it's true (and really, has anyone ever really wanted to work? Isn't that why we pay them?), complaining won't fill your plant vacancies. Blaming other industries won't help either as they're saying the same things. Think manufacturers have a rough time recruiting people? Talk to trucking company leaders or landscaping operations.

In a recent article in IndustryWeek, doctoral student Winifred Opoku shared her thoughts on how some manufacturers are making their ability to reach young people a competitive advantage.

Smart Industry content chief Scott Achelpohl wraps up the annual prediction series with highlights from SI's roster of subject-matter experts, who had a lot to say about how AI was moving well beyond the hype and coming to a production line near you.

Joe Kuhn, CMRP, former plant manager, engineer, and global reliability consultant, is now president of Lean Driven Reliability LLC. He is the author of the book “Zero to Hero: How to Jumpstart Your Reliability Journey Given Today’s Business Challenges” and the creator of the Joe Kuhn YouTube Channel, which offers content on starting your reliability journey and achieving financial independence. In our monthly podcast miniseries, Ask a Plant Manager, Joe considers a commonplace scenario facing the industry and offers his advice, as well as actions that you can take to get on track tomorrow. This episode explores practical reliability leadership lessons for maintenance and operations teams in 2026. Bonus: The psychology behind New Year's resolutions?

Fall protection violations remain the most cited OSHA issue, emphasizing the need for continued focus despite some recent decreases in violations. In this interview with Phil Jacklin, continuing education program manager with Diversified Fall Protection, you'll hear that progress is being made through increased awareness, proactive safety practices and better data tracking, but challenges persist, particularly in the construction industry.

This year-end wrapup episode collects clips from three of the most popular Plant Services episodes from the past 12 months. In these clips, Plant Services chief editor Thomas Wilk talks about:

• "How oil analysis can boost equipment reliability, but only if you use the data," with Mike Holloway, 5th Order Industry
• "How PM optimization improves reliability and reduces unplanned downtime," with Brian Hronchek, Eruditio
• "Reshoring in 2025 – strategies for navigating tariffs and trade uncertainty," with Rosemary Coates, Reshoring Institute