How AI is transforming quality management
Pam Bobbit 
Date published: May 01, 25
As I prepare for the 2025 World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) in Denver, I want to share an overview of my upcoming presentation on artificial intelligence in quality management on May 5.
The conference theme this year centers on driving excellence in quality management through innovation and collaboration—a perfect backdrop for discussing how AI is revolutionizing our field beyond basic applications.
Many quality professionals know AI exists, but often see it applied only to routine quality checks and standard automation processes. In my session, "De-mystifying AI: innovating beyond basic AI applications," we'll explore how AI can be leveraged for truly transformative outcomes in quality management.
The AI landscape is evolving rapidly, with two distinct categories emerging:
- AI interns: These are the task-focused virtual helpers we've grown accustomed to—they schedule meetings, answer basic questions and handle routine tasks efficiently.
- Subject-matter-expert AI: This more sophisticated AI doesn't just follow orders but reasons, learns and adapts. It can analyze complex quality issues, identify patterns and recommend solutions with a depth previously requiring human expertise.
AI use cases enhance your current quality management system:
- Identify root causes faster: AI algorithms can detect subtle patterns in quality data that human analysis might miss, pinpointing the underlying causes of quality issues with remarkable speed and accuracy.
- Move from reactive to proactive quality management: Rather than simply responding to issues, advanced AI can predict potential problems before they occur, allowing for preemptive action.
- Scale expertise across organizations: SME AI can democratize access to specialized quality knowledge, enabling consistent application of best practices throughout an organization.
At the conference, I'll share several case studies showing successful AI implementations in quality management across industries including manufacturing, healthcare and professional services. These examples demonstrate how organizations are achieving measurable improvements in quality metrics while reducing costs and time-to-market.
Looking forward to connecting with fellow quality professionals and continuing this conversation!
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