Robin Cowie: AI and Industrial Learning
Source: wral.com
AI and Industrial Training at Grep-a-Palooza
Grep-a-Palooza 2025 included a live podcast session with Jenn Summe from Primordial Ventures and Melissa Crosby from Colopy Ventures. They interviewed Robin Cowie, the CEO and Founder of Skillmaker.AI, about artificial intelligence, extended reality, and industrial training.
Robin Cowie, known for producing The Blair Witch Project and contributing to Madden Football video games, is now focused on learning solutions. His company, Skillmaker.AI, uses AI and extended reality (XR) to change how technicians in the industrial sector are trained.
Skillmaker.AI and NAPA Auto Parts
Skillmaker.AI is working with NAPA Auto Parts, which has over one million technicians. The project aims to speed up training using smart glasses for access to information and a product knowledge database.
AI in the Workplace
Cowie said that AI has the potential to transform the workplace. He stated, “The robots are not coming, the robots are already here,” while also emphasizing the importance of human involvement, adding, “You can’t leave humans out of the AI equation. Humans lead innovation.”
Cowie envisions AI automating tasks in the future. He explained, “AI can do 70% of the automated work; humans are needed to validate the work,” noting the partnership between technology and human expertise. He also stated, “Our company is about storytelling. We bring the human element to industrial learning,” stressing the need for engaging training for technicians.
The discussion at Grep-a-Palooza highlighted technological advancements in industrial training and the collaborative spirit in North Carolina's tech environment. Cowie's insights show a trend of integrating AI and human creativity for better learning solutions.
Cowie moved from South Africa to the Coast of North Carolina because of its proximity to the Triangle. “I was attracted to the area for three reasons: the incredible talent pool, the technology infrastructure, and a robust startup community - both in Raleigh and the Wilmington area,” he said.
The session at Grep-a-Palooza showed the potential for change in how training is approached in the modern workforce.