Perspective Chapter: Why Does Machine Learning Matter in Industry 4.0?

The emergence of Industry 4.0 has transformed manufacturing into a highly interconnected, intelligent, and data-driven environment. Central to this transformation is machine learning (ML), a subset of artificial intelligence, which enables the extraction of actionable insights from the vast and complex datasets generated by modern industrial systems. As data volumes exceed human processing capabilities, traditional approaches to maintenance, quality assurance, and process optimisation are increasingly inadequate. ML addresses this gap by identifying patterns, anomalies, and correlations within high-dimensional sensor data, supporting improved decision-making and automation.