ISA's Mimo wins prestigious Gold TRENDY Award for innovation in automation
The International Society of Automation (ISA) has been awarded a prestigious Gold TRENDY Award for its AI-powered large language model (LLM) named Mimo. This recognition, announced on March 18, 2025, highlights the effectiveness of Mimo in enhancing communication and support within the automation sector. The TRENDY Awards, presented by Association TRENDS, honour excellence in marketing and communication efforts among associations and non-profit organisations.
Mimo, launched in the latter half of 2024, is designed to assist professionals in the industrial automation and operational technology fields. Trained on a vast array of ISA materials, including standards, training content, technical reports, and articles, Mimo is capable of responding to questions posed by users in multiple languages. Its initial performance was striking, with the system addressing around 4,000 queries in its first month, significantly exceeding the expectations for new association knowledge assistants.
Jason Wampler, Managing Director of IT for ISA, expressed pride in the accolade, stating, "It is an honour and a thrill for the launch of ISA's large language model, Mimo, to be recognized with a highly respected Gold TRENDY Award." He further noted that Mimo offers an innovative method for global automation professionals to interact with ISA's extensive technical resources. He acknowledged the contributions of volunteers and staff in bringing Mimo to fruition, proclaiming it a valuable asset for the automation community.
The development of Mimo was a collaborative effort with the firm Betty Bot, and the model continues to evolve by integrating new ISA content on a daily basis. The award underlines not just the technological advancement represented by Mimo, but also ISA's commitment to serving its members with up-to-date and relevant resources.
In addition to its recognition for Mimo, ISA continues to fulfil its mission of empowering the automation community through the creation and dissemination of industry standards and knowledge. Founded in 1945, the society has developed numerous widely adopted global standards, certified professionals, and provides educational resources aimed at supporting career development for its members globally.
For ISA's members, Mimo represents an ongoing resource; logged-in users have access to detailed answers tailored to their inquiries about automation and cybersecurity. The potential impact of Mimo on the efficiency and depth of information accessible to professionals within the sector could significantly enhance operational practices and knowledge sharing.
As automation technology evolves, tools like Mimo could play a crucial role in developing a more connected and informed professional community, making significant strides in operational efficiency and knowledge dissemination. With a focus on continuous improvement and adaptation, the ISA aims to sustain its position at the forefront of automation standards and education.