Digital Transformation and Smart Manufacturing: The Odyssey of a PhD-turned-CDO

Digitalization and intelligent technology have become indispensable parts of personal life and professional progression. With continuous breakthroughs in artificial intelligence technology, such as AlphaGo and ChatGPT, the Internet industry is undergoing a tremendous transformation. Meanwhile, the traditional manufacturing industry also requires a focus on technological development. As a vital role in the digital transformation of enterprises, the Chief Digital Officer’s (CDO) strategic vision and direction are of great significance to achieving digital transformation and intelligent manufacturing.

In this ESS, we are honored to invite Dr. Zhe Shi, the Chief Digital Officer of Foxconn Technology Group, who has been devoted to strategic planning and practice of digital transformation and intelligent manufacturing. As a recognized expert in the field, Dr. Shi has played a key role in promoting the implementation of lighthouse factories, digital platforms, and industrial internet. From his personal growth and practical experience, he will share with us how he transitioned from a student entrepreneur to a CDO and explore the challenges and future of digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of the manufacturing industry.

We look forward to your participation!

Chief Digital Officer and Lead of the Smart Manufacturing Platform at Foxconn Technology Group

Special Award from 2021 Ram Charan Management Practice Awards

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati

Dr. Zhe Shi, Chief Digital Officer and leader of the Smart Manufacturing Platform at Foxconn Technology Group, holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, where he was affiliated with the Center for Intelligent Maintenance Systems (IMS). Currently, he is responsible for the key development of smart manufacturing and industrial internet-related business at Foxconn, driving the implementation of “lighthouse factories” and the deployment of IoT and other cutting-edge digital technologies.

To date, Foxconn has completed five World Economic Forum Lighthouse Factories and has built more than 30 lighthouse factory clusters, leading the field of smart manufacturing with direct and indirect economic benefits exceeding 10 billion yuan. Additionally, he has established a smart manufacturing platform based on the industrial internet and implemented the One Digital Foxconn strategy. This platform has enabled Foxconn to integrate IoT, big data, industrial intelligence, digital supply chain technology into its production and manufacturing process, which has become an excellent demonstration case, winning the Ram Charan Management Practice Award from Harvard Business Review and the Top 10 Outstanding Enterprises Award in Digital Transformation from Forbes.

Before joining Foxconn, Dr. Shi was a co-founder of Beijing Tianze Zhiyun Technology Co., Ltd, responsible for providing solutions and strategic support to large clients. Over the course of his career, Dr. Shi has been involved in the research and development of intelligent industrial projects and intelligent systems in a range of industries, including rail transit, wind power generation, manufacturing, and shipping.

Currently, Dr. Shi is primarily committed to the digital transformation of the electronic manufacturing industry and the implementation of intelligent manufacturing projects, covering areas such as mould processing, large-scale machining, PCBA, and large-scale assembly.