MILWAUKEE, WI—The Connected Systems Institute (CSI) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)—a leading center of excellence shaping the future of advanced manufacturing—announces a new Industry 4.0 Speaker Series in collaboration with STEP and Ericsson. The series will kick off in June 12, 2025, with the AI for Hybrid Networks event, followed by a second event in September, both hosted at CSI’s research and training facility.
CSI is at the forefront of digital transformation in manufacturing, driving innovation in industrial automation, AI, and private 5G. As the home of the sixth global Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab—the first of its kind located at a University and focused on manufacturing—CSI provides an unparalleled environment where industry leaders, researchers, and students converge to solve real-world challenges.
The Industry 4.0 Series will showcase the latest advancements in hybrid networks, AI, and automation, equipping manufacturers with cutting-edge solutions to enhance efficiency, security, and scalability. This collaboration brings together the expertise in advanced network infrastructure and AI-driven industrial applications from Ericsson while STEP provides integration and management for hybrid network solutions.
“Bringing the power of the hybrid network with AI to advance the vision in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 developed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Connected Systems Institute is something we’re passionate about,” said Ed Walton, CEO of STEP. “Delivering innovation is in our DNA, and partnering in the facilitation of digital transformation for manufacturers will reduce costs and drive efficiencies, while enabling Industry 4.0 initiatives.”
Industry leaders and attendees will gain insights into next-generation industrial applications, including:
Attendees will also get a behind-the-scenes sneak peak of the new Microsoft AI Co-Innovation lab which will hold its grand opening this summer.
“Our mission at the Connected Systems Institute is to enable the future manufacturing workforce and drive economic development through education, technology transfer, and AI knowledge leadership,” said Joe Hamann, CSI’s executive director. Hamann added, “The Industry 4.0 series launch, driven by industry leaders STEP and Ericsson, will demonstrate digital transformation impact and deployment of industrial AI solutions in manufacturing. These topics align well to the CSI mission, and we are excited for the impact that this series will bring to the manufacturing industry. STEP is a valuable partner of ours at CSI, and with new collaboration from Ericsson, we are excited about future innovation potential as we move forward together.”
“As AI models become more powerful, they need blazing-fast connectivity to keep up. 5G will ensuring that massive datasets that will drive Industry 4.0 can move in real time and allow AI-powered applications to operate seamlessly at the edge,” said Eugene Banks, vice president of Ericsson Private 5G partnerships at Ericsson. “CSI brings a powerful pedigree to support Ericsson’s partners and customers as they move through the Industry 4.0 journey and we look forward to supporting them.”
STEP is a highly innovative, award-winning, nationwide IT services engineering firm specializing in 5G, traditional networking, and security solutions powered by strategic experts that guide their clients through complex IT challenges. Founded in 2014, STEP has become one of the fastest-growing technology firms in the Midwest. Their portfolio enables enterprises with solutions for wireline, wireless, cellular, cloud, security, collaboration, and managed services. STEP is a privately held company headquartered in Covington, Kentucky. STEP is where innovation meets execution. For more information, visit STEP’s website or follow on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
STEP Media Contact
Katie Johnson
513-795-6000 ext.3117
kjohnson@stepcg.com
The Connected Systems Institute (CSI) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a world-class research and training hub dedicated to advancing industrial automation, AI, and digital manufacturing technologies. As the home of the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab, CSI is the only university-based AI Lab in the world specializing in manufacturing, where industry leaders and academic experts collaborate to develop, test, and deploy cutting-edge Industry 4.0 solutions. CSI’s partnerships with global technology leaders, including Microsoft, Rockwell Automation, and Ericsson, fuel innovation and prepare the workforce for the future of advanced manufacturing.
CSI Media Contact
Casey O’Brien
414-736-3711
caseyo@uwm.edu
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