State of AI in Manufacturing

Key Takeaways

AI adoption in manufacturing is accelerating, with over 77% of manufacturers having implemented some form of AI—up from 70% in 2023.

AI copilots are preferred over fully autonomous agents, indicating that manufacturers want AI to support rather than replace human decision-making.

Top barriers to adoption include a lack of internal expertise and integration challenges, while training and user-friendly tools are seen as key solutions to closing the skills gap.

Improved efficiency (49%) and productivity (40%) are the top benefits manufacturers currently gain from AI, with production planning and quality control identified as key areas for added value. Manufacturers are increasingly aligning their AI strategies with supply chain optimization and big data analytics to meet demand and ensure resilience.