Like a lot of new workers, Sophie started out performing entry-level work. As she gained experience, she got promoted and learned new skills. Now she's running factories, through a partnership between Stefanini Group and Lawrence Technological University.

Sophie is a virtual artificial intelligence assistant developed by Stefanini, a $1 billion global technology company specializing in digital solutions with an office in Southfield and numerous locations around the world. LTU students and faculty are now helping Stefanini teach Sophie how to integrate into smart manufacturing environments on LTU's campus with self-adaptation and contextual automation, which is made possible by Stefanini partner Rockwell Automation. This project bridges the gap in student understanding between theoretical and real-world AI implementation. From building architectural design and codes to analyzing Sophie’s mind map flow chart and more, students are interacting with AI implementation in every step of the process from A to Z.

“We began partnering with Lawrence Tech about three years ago and we’re thrilled how our collaboration efforts have grown,” said Fabio Caversan, vice president of digital business and innovation at Stefanini. “Using natural language and machine learning, Sophie can simplify interactions with complex systems like smart manufacturing environments. LTU students have played a critical role in making this integration process as smooth as possible.”

Designed with an original set of artificial intelligence algorithms and replacing script-based human service with automation, Sophie is well trained in voice processing, text interpretation and self-learning initiation and is easy to train and implement into business. Sophie can achieve the same results as other AI technologies with five percent of the training required by other tech tools.

“From the first day students interacted with Sophie, we began to see their knowledge exponentially increase,” said George Pappas, assistant professor and director of LTU’s Master of Science in AI program. “This project is paving the way for students to take off and apply what they are learning beyond the lab using real AI technology in real-world environments.”

Stefanini has supported other young adults in their skill development through the Stefanini Institute, which was founded in 2001 to offer educational opportunities for young, underprivileged members of the community, to equip them with the skills that they need to develop and move forward in life. To date, 95,000 young people have been mentored through the Stefanini Institute to build a career. Stefanini also recently partnered with Suffolk University in Boston for a case study on financial technology. 

Stefanini Group offers organizations of all shapes and sizes a broad portfolio of digital transformation services and solutions, including industrial automation, cognitive computing, workplace of the future development, customer experience, business consulting, digital marketing and artificial intelligence.

To learn more about Stefanini Group, please visit www.stefanini.com and for more information about Lawrence Technological University visit www.ltu.edu. 

About Stefanini Group

Stefanini Group (www.stefanini.com) is a Brazilian multinational with over 30 years of experience in the market, investing in a complete innovation ecosystem to meet the main verticals and assist customers in the process of digital transformation. With robust offerings aligned with market trends such as automation, cloud, Internet of Things and user experience, the company has been recognized with several awards in the area of innovation.

Today, the company has a broad portfolio of solutions that combine innovative consulting, marketing, mobility, personalized campaigns and artificial intelligence services for traditional solutions such as service desk, field service and outsourcing.

With a presence in 41 countries, Stefanini was named the fifth most internationalized company, according to the Dom Cabral Foundation ranking of 2017.

About Stefanini North America

Since 2001, Stefanini has been helping midsize, large and global enterprises increase the efficiency of their IT operations while also helping them leverage information technology to empower their businesses at its North American headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. Service offerings include efficient, cost-reducing and effective services (IT infrastructure, outsourcing, end-user computing outsourcing, application managed services, and mainframe modernization). With robust offerings aligned with market trends such as automation, cloud, Internet of Things and user experience, the company has been recognized with several awards in the area of innovation. Today, the company has a broad portfolio of solutions that combine innovative consulting, marketing, mobility, personalized campaigns and artificial intelligence services for traditional solutions such as service desk, field service and outsourcing (BPO).

About Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 private, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.