University of Tennessee and DENSO Complete AI in Manufacturing Workforce Training Program

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 6, 2026) -- The University of Tennessee (UT), in partnership with DENSO, a leading mobility supplier, has developed a workforce training initiative designed to advance artificial intelligence (AI) competency within DENSO’s North American workforce and support the future of smart manufacturing.

The initiative was developed collaboratively by UT Knoxville’s College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) and UT’s Center for Industrial Services (CIS), with support from the DENSO Manufacturing Learning group and UTK’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (ORIED).

The result was a program that connected UT’s academic expertise with DENSO’s manufacturing knowhow to help DENSO team members grow AI literacy, strengthen data-informed decision-making and identify opportunities to improve daily workflows. This spring, DENSO completed a 16-week pilot that included 35 engineers from the company’s U.S. and Canada manufacturing sites.

“AI is an important tool for helping our teams work smarter, but it does not replace the knowledge, judgment and creativity our team members bring to manufacturing every day,” said Marty Deschenes, North America chief manufacturing officer at DENSO. “Through this collaboration, we are helping our teams better understand where AI can support their work and how it can help optimize processes while keeping our talented people at the center of our operations.”

For DENSO, the partnership supports a broader effort to responsibly build AI capability across its workforce. During program development, DENSO provided insights on how AI could boost manufacturing processes and ways manufacturers can effectively implement the technology, while being thoughtful of real-world considerations like cybersecurity, skill development and using advanced technology to complement human work.

“This program helps our teams apply AI to real manufacturing challenges, helping transform ideas into practical solutions that improve efficiency, quality, and innovation,” said April Banner, project manager of North America Manufacturing learning at DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. “We're developing capabilities that will help us create safer, more reliable products and deliver greater value to our customers while preparing our people for the future of manufacturing."

“This partnership demonstrates how universities and industry can work together to prepare the workforce for the future,” said Dr. Ozlem Kilic, Vice Provost and Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee. “CECS is building scalable pathways that help professionals develop capacity in emerging technologies responsibly and effectively in their day-to-day work environments.”

Participants explored areas such as machine learning fundamentals and generative AI tools, and how they could enhance key manufacturing processes like production line design, predictive maintenance and quality inspection.

Delivered in a hybrid format, the course combined instruction with manufacturing-focused case studies and a team-based capstone project. Participants used example data sets and DENSO-designated platforms to practice identifying AI opportunities, framing problems, and evaluating feasibility and potential benefits.

“This collaboration highlights the power of applied education in helping organizations adapt to rapid technological change,” said Paul Jennings, executive director of the Center for Industrial Services at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. “By bringing together academic expertise, industry insight, and hands-on training, we are helping build the practical skills and confidence needed to integrate AI into manufacturing operations.”

As part of the collaboration, DENSO also joined AI TechX, as part of AI Tennessee, a statewide initiative led by UT that brings together education, industry and state partners to advance AI education and industry collaboration in Tennessee. For DENSO, the connection creates additional opportunities to learn from external partners, contribute an industry perspective and explore future collaborations that support workforce development and responsible AI adoption.

In addition, CIS and CECS today signed an MOU to expand the development and delivery of similar offerings for manufacturers throughout the state.

"Our partnership with DENSO is one of many ways UT serves Tennessee," said University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd. "We listen to employers, respond to emerging workforce needs and create new pathways for Tennesseans to gain the skills they need to succeed. We're grateful to DENSO for helping us build a model that can now benefit manufacturers across Tennessee."

The initiative reflects UT’s broader mission to support economic development and workforce innovation across Tennessee and beyond by connecting emerging technologies with industry-driven education. It also supports DENSO’s focus on strengthening workforce capability, responsible technology adoption and continuous improvement in manufacturing. 

 

About the University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls nearly 65,000 students statewide; produces more than 15,000 new graduates every year; and represents almost 497,000 alumni around the world.

About the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville serves as the university's hub for developing innovative academic programs, workforce initiatives, and strategic partnerships that prepare learners for the future of work. As the university's intercollegiate college, CECS brings together faculty, students, industry, government, and community partners to respond rapidly to emerging technologies and evolving workforce needs. Through intercollegiate education, experiential learning, professional development, and applied research, CECS advances Tennessee's economic competitiveness while preparing both students and working professionals to lead in an increasingly technology-driven world.

About the Center for Industrial Services
The Center for Industrial Services (CIS), part of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, helps Tennessee manufacturers and businesses improve competitiveness through workforce development, operational excellence, and technical consulting. By connecting industry with the resources of the University of Tennessee, CIS delivers training, applied expertise, and customized solutions that strengthen productivity, foster innovation, and support economic growth across the state.

About DENSO 
Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO is a 7,540.0 billion yen (US$47.2 billion) leading mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in around 170 facilities worldwide to provide opportunities for rewarding careers and to produce cutting-edge electrification, powertrain, thermal and mobility electronics products, among others, that change how the world moves. In developing such solutions, the company’s 155,000 global employees are paving the way to a mobility future that improves lives, eliminates traffic accidents, and preserves the environment. DENSO spent around 9.2 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. For more information about DENSO’s operations worldwide, visit https://www.denso.com/global.

In North America, DENSO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs 23,000+ team members across more than 40 sites in the U.S, Canada and Mexico. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, DENSO in North America generated $12.7 billion in consolidated sales. To learn more about DENSO operations in the region, please visit https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/.