Smart manufacturing, data-driven design, and artificial intelligence aren’t just buzzwords — they are fields that are creating high-paying, high-tech careers across the country. In rural communities across Georgia, these advanced manufacturing roles are growing, but the talent pipeline isn’t keeping pace.

“It’s not just about creating jobs, it’s about filling them,” says Tom Kurfess, Regents’ Professor in mechanical engineering and executive director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI). “To do that, we need to show students how exciting and innovative manufacturing can be. Manufacturing has really changed over the past few years. Today, going from an idea to a physical part is much easier to do. It is fun and exciting to bring ideas to life and to actually hold the results in your hands.”

GTMI is working to reignite student interest in the art and science of making through its new K–12 initiative: the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (AMP) Program. Modeled after Georgia Tech’s Rural CS Initiative, AMP empowers schools with faculty expertise, cutting-edge equipment, and a hands-on curriculum to give students early exposure to the tools, technologies, and creativity behind modern manufacturing while building a pipeline of future talent ready to thrive in high-tech careers.

Funded by the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC), AMP is kicking off in three school districts this fall — Decatur County, Thomas County, and the city of Thomasville  — with plans to expand to additional schools in the spring of 2026. The program will start by engaging more than 200 students through hands-on learning, virtual instruction, and in-person lab experiences led by Georgia Tech researchers and faculty.

“Here in Southwest Georgia, we believe that opportunities like this are vital for integrated learning in schools and for growing our future workforce,” says Beka Shiver, economic development and transportation planner for SWGRC. “Workforce development and K-12 integration are at the heart of our Southwest Georgia Ecosystem Building Project, and we are so pleased to be able to provide funding for this program.”

The launch of the AMP Program is centered around Design, Build, Race, a course putting a modern spin on the classic pinewood derby. Students will use digital design, 3D printing, and machining to build and race custom cars, while also learning how to collect and analyze performance data to improve their designs and predict outcomes. The course blends engineering with data science, sparking curiosity and showing students how modern manufacturing is powered by both technical skills and smart data. 

“This program delivers real-world industry experience to students while strengthening the talent pipeline that drives innovation, competitiveness, and resilience in advanced manufacturing”, says Steven Ferguson, interim director of operations at GTMI and one of the project’s leaders. “After more than 20 years of driving education and workforce development innovation, I’m more energized than ever to help launch the AMP program to open doors for students and advance U.S. manufacturing leadership.”

Building the Blueprint

Before it evolved into the AMP Program, Design, Build, Race was a course developed by GTMI research engineer Kyle Saleeby in 2023. Originating in GTMI’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AMPF), the course was designed to introduce Morehouse and Georgia Tech students to the possibilities of modern manufacturing through digital design, 3D printing, machining, and competitive creativity.

“Even after the first week, it was powerful to watch students discover how exciting it is to design and manufacture a competition-ready car in a matter of hours,” said Saleeby. “That’s when I knew we were onto something special.”

Saleeby teamed up with Ferguson to transform the course into a broader initiative. The duo engaged colleagues from STEM@GTRI and secured funding from SWGRC to modify the curriculum and scale the course for a high school audience. 

“We are thrilled that we have been able to take the lessons learned during the development of the Rural Computer Science Initiative and expand opportunities for students in Southwest Georgia,” says Sean Mulvanity, a senior research associate in the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Mulvanity is one of the founders of the initiative and has been a key contributor to the AMP Program. “We hope this program can grow and expose students across the state to the field of advanced manufacturing.” 

Though granted by the SWGRC, funds for the program were provided by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, a statewide initiative founded by GTMI and Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute to advance AI-driven manufacturing.

To bring AMP into classrooms, Southern Regional Technical College helped set up labs and provide technical support, ensuring schools were ready to launch. 

“At all levels, the community has rallied around this program,” says Saleeby. “Providing students with a unique experience learning advanced manufacturing technologies will open countless career opportunities. I cannot wait to see where they go.” 

As the U.S. works to strengthen its industrial base and reshore critical manufacturing capabilities, workforce development has emerged as a central challenge — and opportunity. 

The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) recently welcomed its first Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) Fellow to help address this growing need. Lukas Berg, a retiring U.S. Army officer, will be working with GTMI to support new education and training programs aimed at preparing Georgians for careers in advanced manufacturing.

“Lukas Berg brings a unique blend of operational experience, academic insight, and a deep commitment to service,” said Thomas Kurfess, executive director of GTMI. “His perspective will be invaluable as we work to build stronger connections between Georgia’s communities and the advanced manufacturing sector.”

Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation that helps veterans and military spouses transition into civilian careers through short-term fellowships. Since 2021, Georgia Tech has hosted more than two dozen HOH fellows, beginning with U.S. Army veteran Erik Andersen, who now serves as interim deputy director for the Research, Electronics, Optics, and Systems Directorate at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), where he also helps lead the HOH program. 

Berg is the first fellow to be placed outside of GTRI, a sign of the program’s growing reach across campus and its potential to support a broader range of workforce development efforts.

“It’s been exciting to see how the Hiring Our Heroes program has grown at Georgia Tech,” said Andersen. “Berg’s placement at GTMI reflects the Institute’s commitment to connecting military talent with real-world innovation and workforce development. Veterans bring a unique perspective and skill set to these challenges, and I’m proud to see the program expanding to new parts of campus.”

Berg’s military career includes aviation command roles, teaching positions at West Point and the Joint Special Operations University, and deployments across multiple regions. At GTMI, he will be contributing to a new initiative that partners with rural school districts to introduce students to hands-on learning in advanced manufacturing, an effort designed to spark interest in high-potential career paths and support long-term workforce readiness.

With personal ties to Georgia Tech and a strong sense of purpose, Berg sees this fellowship as a meaningful next step. We spoke with him to learn more about what brought him to GTMI and how he views the role of manufacturing and workforce development in shaping the country’s future.

What inspired you to pursue a fellowship at the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute after your military service?

Last year, I visited Georgia Tech with many of the junior officers and pilots assigned to my helicopter battalion in Savannah. Our agenda included stops at the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute and the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, both of which struck me as being absolutely vital to maintaining the technological edge required to fight and win on the modern battlefield. Pursuing a fellowship at GTMI felt like a natural extension of my military service, and I suspected that it would put me back at the intersection of thinkers and doers (where I have always felt most at home). 

You mentioned your grandmother taught at Georgia Tech for over 30 years — how has her legacy influenced your academic and professional journey?

My grandmother, Maria Venable, was the first woman to serve as a full-time faculty member in Georgia Tech’s School of Modern Languages. She poured herself into both her family and her students, and I was lucky to count myself in both populations, as she agreed to tutor me for the AP German exam in high school (but only if I behaved as well as her students at Tech). Her example inspired me to pursue a teaching assignment at West Point halfway through my Army career, and I experienced the same joy in teaching that she did. It’s something that I will continue to do for the rest of my life, whether in a formal or informal capacity.

Can you share more about the specific initiatives you'll be working on at GTMI related to advanced manufacturing education?

Most immediately, I am joining a new GTMI initiative that partners with rural school districts to deliver several weeks’ worth of curriculum and hands-on practice in advanced manufacturing. We just kicked off a pilot program with Bainbridge High School in Decatur, and it’s exciting to see their students leveraging sophisticated systems to design and build Pinewood Derby cars that would make Cub Scouts across the country green with envy. Beyond this initiative, I hope to contribute to other efforts that get young people excited about careers in manufacturing and that assist adult learners in re-skilling and up-skilling for this high-potential industry.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your fellowship at GTMI?

Georgia Tech feels like a physical and intellectual crossroads of modern civilization. I’m excited to not only contribute as a member of GTMI but also to learn about the countless other departments, institutes, and programs that are convening talent to solve the world’s thorniest problems. 

What skills or insights are you hoping to gain during your time at GTMI that will support your next career chapter?

As an Army officer, I’ve been stationed across the country and deployed around the world, but Georgia has always been home. (Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia” has been a fixture on my playlist since I left for West Point at the age of 17.) Now back with my family, I look forward to using my time at GTMI to learn about my home state and identify ways that I can contribute to its near and long-term prosperity, whether through roles in academia, government, or private industry. I also look forward to expanding my network in all these communities, as no single one has a monopoly on problem-solving.

Why do you believe rebuilding America’s industrial base and manufacturing workforce is critical to national security today?

As a career aviator, much of my professional life was spent agonizing over the availability of parts to repair my helicopters. It seemed like there were never enough, and they always took too long to get to me. This experience, coupled with lessons learned from our support of Ukraine’s self-defense, contrasted starkly with my recent study of America’s 20th-century role as the “arsenal of democracy.” I’m convinced that we need to regain that reputation, and I would like to see Georgia at the forefront of associated design, manufacturing, and education initiatives.  

How do you see veterans playing a unique role in strengthening the U.S. manufacturing workforce?

I think veterans are the most natural candidates in the world for roles in the manufacturing workforce. They possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful in most endeavors, but most are looking for ways to extend their service beyond their time in uniform. What better way than to contribute to a field that is so vital to our national security and prosperity?

What does “Progress and Service” mean to you, and what does it mean to you personally to be contributing to that mission?

I love Tech’s motto. I grew up in a family and community that reinforced at every turn the idea that our highest potential as human beings is realized when we serve others. This motivated my choice to serve in the military for the past 20 years, and it remains my North Star for this next chapter. I also love the idea of technological progress being the vehicle by which Georgia Tech collectively serves others, and I hope to accelerate this progress during my time at GTMI. 

If you could give one piece of advice to other service members considering a fellowship like this, what would it be?

Inventory your passions and define your purpose. Then start reaching out to people in related fields. I have been amazed at how generous people have been with their time and how eager they have been to help me find my second calling and related opportunities.

Georgia Tech’s Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) helped transform The Chai Box—a family‑run business born in Marietta—into a nationally recognized brand by guiding them through rigorous food safety audits for retailers like Costco, streamlining production, and boosting their revenue by 20 %. This collaboration not only enabled larger scale success and a feature in Forbes, but vividly illustrated how applied research can turn cultural legacy into commercial opportunities.
Learn more.

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new artificial intelligence tool that dramatically improves how companies plan their supply chains, cutting down the time and cost it takes to generate complex production and inventory schedules. 

The tool, known as PROPEL, combines machine learning with optimization techniques to help manufacturers make better decisions in less time. It was created by researchers at the NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization, or AI4OPT, based at Georgia Tech under Tech AI (the AI Hub at Georgia Tech).

The technology is already being tested on real-world supply chain data provided by Kinaxis, a Canada-based company that supplies planning software to global manufacturers in industries ranging from automotive to consumer goods.

Vahid Eghbal Akhlaghi, senior research scientist at Kinaxis and former postdoctoral fellow at AI4OPT and the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech, said, “Our industry partner has been instrumental in shaping PROPEL’s capabilities. By validating the approach with real operational data, we ensured it addresses true bottlenecks in supply chain planning.”

"PROPEL represents a leap forward in how we tackle massive, complex planning problems," said Pascal Van Hentenryck, lead researcher, the director of Tech AI and the NSF AI4OPT Institute, and the A. Russell Chandler III Chair and Professor at Georgia Tech with appointments in the colleges of engineering and computing. "By combining supervised and reinforcement learning, we can make near-optimal industrial-scale decisions, an order of magnitude faster."

Traditional supply chain planning problems are typically solved using mathematical models that require immense computing power—often too much to meet real-time business needs. PROPEL, short for Predict-Relax-Optimize using LEarning, reduces this burden by teaching the AI model to first eliminate irrelevant decisions and then fine-tune the solution to meet quality standards.

Reza Zandehshahvar, one of the paper’s co-authors and postdoctoral fellow with the NSF AI4OPT and the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech, said the breakthrough lies not just in the AI algorithms but in how they're trained and deployed at scale.

“Many AI models struggle when applied to problems with millions of variables. PROPEL was built from the ground up to handle industrial complexity, not just academic examples,” Zandehshahvar said. “We’re seeing real improvements in both solution speed and quality.”

 In trials using Kinaxis’ historical industrial data, PROPEL achieved an 88% reduction in the time needed to find a high-quality plan and improved solution accuracy by more than 60% compared to conventional methods.

While many AI methods in supply chain rely on simulated data or simplified models, PROPEL’s performance has been validated using real-world scenarios, ensuring its reliability in high-stakes operational settings.

The Georgia Tech team says PROPEL could benefit industries that manage large, multi-tiered production networks, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and heavy manufacturing. The researchers are now exploring partnerships with additional companies to deploy PROPEL in live environments.

Access the abstract on arXiv.

Thomasville, Georgia, is a hub of training and talent for local manufacturers. But Mason Miller could tell there was something missing.

“We didn't have any training for advanced manufacturing in our area,” said Miller, vice president of Academic Affairs at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC), which offers education and training programs in technical and manufacturing fields. “Companies had to go out and recruit people from Michigan to run their machines. That's when we said, ‘We don’t want that to happen — we need to be doing that right here.’”

That’s where the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) stepped in. Working with partner program Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), GTMI helped connect SRTC with the resources and expertise needed to develop a robust training program tailored to the needs of local manufacturers.

Miller said at first, he was skeptical. “When GTMI said they wanted to be partners, I thought, ‘OK, this is another situation where we're going to talk for a minute, everybody says things and then goes away — and that’s it,’” said Miller. “That's not how it's been at all.”

Rather, it’s been a true partnership driven by SRTC, with curriculum focused on automation and robotics developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and GTMI. The curriculum is also shaped by local industry input to directly address workforce gaps in the region’s manufacturing sector. 

“As a state institution, we're here to serve you,” said Steven Sheffield, senior assistant director of Research Operations at GTMI and a point person of the partnership. “Tell us the problem, and we will work hard to try to solve it with you.”

Filling the Workforce Gap

Miller was committed to giving SRTC students the advanced manufacturing skills needed to stand out in the workforce. Yet the evolving manufacturing landscape and the needs of local manufacturers revealed gaps in SRTC’s curriculum, particularly in AI, automation, and robotics.

With GTMI and Georgia AIM researchers contributing key expertise to the expanded smart manufacturing curriculum, Miller noted the partnership is “opening our eyes to what we can do with AI. We're going to start integrating that into our programs.”

Beyond AI and robotics, SRTC leadership identified a crucial gap in their program: training in precision machining, a skill that local manufacturers like Check-Mate Industries sorely needed. 

“If we want to attract new business and industry to Georgia, we need to be able to show them we can provide a skilled workforce,” said Miller. 

To address this missing piece, GTMI and Georgia AIM helped procure funding to acquire and refurbish precision-machining equipment from longtime partner Makino. Georgia AIM also supported the renovation and outfitting of two SRTC lab spaces with additional updated equipment. 

Last fall, SRTC launched its new Precision Manufacturing & Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering Technology programs, with instructors trained by GTMI faculty in precision manufacturing. The new program at SRTC is one example of the ways GTMI experts are working with communities across the state to expand access to training and new technology.

“Not a lot of technical colleges have this type of machinery,” said Marvin Bannister, SRTC precision machining and manufacturing program chair. Instructors like Bannister received specialized training at GTMI’s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility to ensure they felt confident teaching students how to operate the machinery. “Not only is it something else to add to my skill set, but the most important thing is that I'll be able to train other students who desire to learn on a machine like this.”

Because of SRTC’s expanded offerings, the technical college has strengthened partnerships and developed new internship programs with local manufacturers. “We all want the same thing,” said Miller, “which is to grow industry partnerships and to create a talent pipeline for our state.”

GTMI and Georgia AIM also support STEM programs with Thomasville area schools and internship programs for K-12 teachers with local manufacturers such as Check-Mate. These efforts deepen the connections between students and manufacturers, opening doors to future careers in the sector.

“We’re here to connect the dots and enable these types of partnerships,” says Steven Ferguson, a principal research scientist with GTMI and co-director of Georgia AIM. “When teams and their networks come together to solve a challenge for just one manufacturer, the impact can reach across an entire region.”

Reagan Cook stood at a career crossroads when her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering intersected with her recent master’s in data analytics.

She wanted to connect her experience in manufacturing with her burgeoning interest in data science but wasn’t sure which way to turn. Then, she stumbled upon a job opportunity that brought both into one path forward: A fellowship focused on artificial intelligence in manufacturing through the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, or PIN.

“I happened upon this fellowship and the vertical I landed on was AI in manufacturing, which was a good marriage of the two disciplines,” said Cook, who began the one-year paid position over the summer. The PIN fellowship, part of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, places early career professionals into public and private opportunities.

The fellowship is made possible through support from Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, or Georgia AIM. Georgia AIM supports several PIN fellows each year through the AI in Manufacturing vertical. Participants spend six months working on a research project through the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) and then six months with a partner company where they focus on a project that enhances the use of smart technologies.

Cook recently completed her first six-month rotation as a researcher with the Melkote Advanced Manufacturing Research Group at Georgia Tech, working with GTMI Associate Director Shreyes Melkote. She is now in her next role at Carbice, an Atlanta semiconductor manufacturer.

That’s the interesting part of the PIN fellowship: those accepted into the program gain experience in both the public and private sectors. Upon completing the program, fellows enter the workforce with a unique, innovative skillset that contributes to the emerging roles AI is creating in manufacturing.

The PIN program also helps address a gap in the workforce. There is a growing need for professionals who understand AI and smart technologies, and the program’s public/private partnership provides useful training and experience to early career professionals who are eager to solve these challenges.

In Cook’s case, her first job after college was with a small manufacturer doing engineering design and CAD work. Her role expanded a bit to accommodate her data analytics background while working on her master’s degree practicum project. But due to the size of the company, her work returned to strictly engineering after she graduated. In contrast, through the PIN fellowship, Cook is working on developing machine learning models that can be used to search for parts in a database of CAD designs. This would allow manufacturers looking for CAD drawings or 3D models to find similar parts with designs already created, saving time by giving engineers a starting point. This research allows her to leverage both her analytics and engineering knowledge.

"I feel like I am learning a lot,” said Cook. The research position allows her to apply theoretical knowledge from her master’s degree in a research environment. “That’s been very interesting and eye-opening. I’m still early in my career and my only experience is fairly traditional corporate jobs, so working in the realm of the unknown is a different situation. With research, you’re just exploring and have no assurances that what you’re doing is going to work. ”

Moving to Carbice for the second half of her fellowship adds another layer of learning, she added, because it’s one thing to test out a theory in a lab; it’s different when you are working for a company that needs to see results.

“Working in the private sector allows you to identify and reality-check the needs of actual workplaces,” she added. “Because sometimes you have a compelling idea and interesting research, but in a corporate setting, first, is it useful, and second, if it is useful, is it even something the industry wants or is willing to adopt?”

This is a paradox Cook will face not only during the second half of her fellowship, but also going forward in her career. The foundational experiences attained through the PIN fellowship will give Cook an edge as she moves into her next role. Many manufacturers are interested in adopting AI and smart technologies, but the challenge is in identifying problems to solve.

Cook said she is confident the fellowship will give her new insights that can be beneficial to future employers. The program also offers networking opportunities and connections with respected professionals that will be beneficial in years to come, she added.

“It’s really good to have both the public and private perspectives. And because I’ve worked in a couple different manufacturing environments, I’m interested in how different my manufacturing rotation will be and if I can identify patterns, similar issues, or inefficiencies. And all that is useful knowledge to have,” she said. “For me specifically, the content of this work is going to be very helpful in tying my whole resume together.”

For more details on the AI and Manufacturing-focused PIN fellowship supported by Georgia AIM, visit the PIN website.