As AI in the ceramic industry, ceramic manufacturing automation and the shortage of skilled labor become increasingly important topics, manufacturers are asking a practical question: can artificial intelligence replace human expertise? In the editorial of ceramic forum international (cfi) Issue 2/2026, Editor Ulrich Werr gives a clear answer: AI can help the industry address the lack of skilled workers, but it cannot yet replace human creativity.
This view is especially relevant to ceramic production. Ceramic manufacturing is not a simple linear process. It involves raw material selection, slurry preparation, forming, drying, glazing, firing and inspection. Each stage influences the next, and small deviations can lead to cracks, deformation, glaze defects or unstable product quality. AI can assist engineers by searching existing solutions, recognizing patterns and organizing technical information, but it cannot fully replace the judgment developed through years of production experience.
The strength of AI lies in speed and pattern recognition. It can process large amounts of information, compare similar cases and provide technical references much faster than manual research. For ceramic factories facing pressure from labor shortages, this can be highly valuable. AI may support quality analysis, process optimization, maintenance planning and training.
However, Werr points out an important limitation: AI works based on what it has been trained to do. It follows known patterns and available information. It does not independently create truly new ideas in the same way experienced engineers and inventors do. AI may also make mistakes, particularly when the training data is incomplete, inaccurate or not suitable for the actual production environment.
In ceramic manufacturing, this limitation matters. A crack in a ceramic body may be related to slurry properties, mold design, drying conditions, firing curves or product geometry. A surface defect may come from glaze formulation, dust contamination, kiln atmosphere or handling. AI can suggest possible causes, but engineers must still verify the problem on site, test the process and make responsible decisions.
In the same editorial, Ulrich Werr also mentions Frank Händle, who has ended his active work with ECT-KEMA after more than 50 years in the industry, while continuing to follow ceramic industry trends and contribute articles to cfi. Händle is described as an expert not only in extrusion but also in broader areas of ceramic technology.
This example highlights a deeper point: the ceramic industry still depends on creative experts. These people do more than repeat known solutions. They understand materials, machines, process behavior and production risks. They can connect practical experience with new technical possibilities. They can also evaluate whether an idea is realistic, whether it can be tested, and whether it can be scaled into stable production.
For manufacturers of sanitary ceramics, technical ceramics or ceramic machinery, this type of expertise remains a core competitive advantage. Automation and AI can reduce repetitive labor and improve efficiency, but innovation still depends on people who understand both the factory floor and the engineering principles behind it.
The future of ceramic manufacturing will not be a choice between AI and people. The more realistic direction is cooperation. AI can help collect knowledge, accelerate problem analysis, support digital process control and make training more efficient. Human experts will continue to define goals, create new process routes, judge risks and take responsibility for final decisions.
For ceramic companies, the real opportunity is not simply to “use AI”. The opportunity is to combine AI with automation equipment, process databases, quality control systems and experienced engineers. In this way, AI becomes a tool that strengthens human capability rather than replacing it.
The next stage of ceramic industry development will belong to manufacturers that can connect digital intelligence with practical engineering knowledge. In this future, AI will make ceramic production smarter, but human creativity will remain the driving force behind real innovation.
Source: Adapted from ceramic forum international (cfi), Issue 2/2026, Editorial by Ulrich Werr.