#90: Unleashing Unstructured Data: AI’s Manufacturing Revolution

In this episode, hosts Juliann Grant and Jonathan Scott are joined by Patrick Harrigan, VP of Partnerships at Caddi, to explore the transformative role of AI in unlocking the potential of unstructured data in manufacturing.While most conversations in digital engineering focus on structured data—PLM, ERP, and CAD—this episode dives deep into the massive (and often untapped) world of unstructured data: paper documents, legacy drawings, tribal knowledge, and more.💡 Topics Covered:What unstructured data actually means in a manufacturing contextWhy up to 80% of valuable data remains unused—and how AI is changing thatThe difference between systems of record and systems of insightHow AI is accelerating the conversion of historical documents and tribal knowledge into searchable, useful intelligenceReal-world applications for AI-powered insights—from reducing engineering inefficiencies to improving quality controlWhat makes manufacturing data uniquely challenging for general AI tools—and how purpose-built platforms are adaptingThe future of connected insights across structured and unstructured data domainsWhy “agentic AI” and human-in-the-loop workflows matter now more than ever🔧 Key Insight:AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a powerful tool for surfacing decades of buried knowledge and connecting data silos across the digital thread. Whether it’s improving design reuse, surfacing legacy quality fixes, or simply saving engineers from being “librarians,” the potential is vast.🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube. 📩 Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected] Sharp—and stay curious.Music is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks.Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.© 2026 Razorleaf Corp. All Rights Reserved.