We are excited to celebrate a new OPeraTIC joint publication led by the University of Warwick and SOFITEC. The paper, “Extending Social Life Cycle Assessment to Capture Technological Change: A Case Study in AI-Driven Laser Manufacturing for the Aerospace Sector”, represents an important contribution to both sustainable manufacturing and social impact assessment.

The study explores the transition from conventional aerospace manufacturing processes towards AI-driven laser manufacturing, investigating the social implications of technological change. A key innovation of the paper is an enhanced Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) approach capable of better capturing the impacts of technological transitions within organisations, even when supply chains remain largely unchanged.

Using the OPeraTIC aerospace use case, the authors examine how the combination of ultrashort-pulsed lasers, artificial intelligence and robotics can influence working conditions, skills requirements, stakeholder interactions and broader social outcomes. The findings highlight the potential of advanced manufacturing technologies to contribute to safer working environments, higher-skilled jobs and more sustainable industrial production, while also emphasising the importance of workforce adaptation and responsible implementation.

Read the full publication here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666784326000628