Ahmet Ö.
Corporate
- Thread Author
- #1
🤔 Industrial AI: Are Two Camps Forming?
I think it's fair to say that two main perspectives are emerging regarding industrial artificial intelligence (AI). It can sometimes be difficult to see past the hype generated by this technology, especially fueled by software companies' efforts to market their new products. However, AI appears to be rapidly on its way to becoming a permanent fixture. With billions of dollars invested behind it, stopping this momentum is impossible.
📊 Manufacturing Technology Trends and AI's Place
Surveys on manufacturing technology trends are critical for understanding which way the wind is blowing in this era of change in industrial progress. Insights from leading voices tell us a lot, especially concerning industrial AI.
🚀 AI Budgets Increasing, But Trust Issues Emerge
Recent research by Rootstock, a cloud-based ERP platform provider, reveals that 77% of manufacturers plan to increase their budgets or resources for AI-powered tools in the next 12 to 18 months. While this figure is slightly lower than 82% in 2024, it indicates the continued progression of AI.
Rootstock's 2026 State of AI in Manufacturing Survey also shows that AI is becoming more integrated into daily factory operations. Approximately two-thirds (64%) of manufacturers have moved past the pilot phase in their AI initiatives or have already operationally integrated it.
⚖️ AI and Employment: Balancing Optimism and Concern
The survey indicates that manufacturing professionals are balancing optimism about AI with concerns about its potential impact on employment. While 41% of respondents expect AI to make them more productive, 61% are concerned that the technology could limit career opportunities. Rick Berger, CEO of Rootstock, emphasizes that AI's potential is not just about what the technology can do, but also about how well employees will adopt it.
Berger states, "With AI, manufacturers have the potential to boost productivity and help employees deliver more value in their jobs, but realizing AI's full value requires vision, training, and a commitment to centering human judgment in core processes."
Meanwhile, Xometry research shows that AI and automation operators are now the roles manufacturers find most challenging to fill. This is further proof that the workforce needs to adapt to AI.
🤖 Types of AI and Trust Issues
Among the types of AI adopted by manufacturers, agent AI (31%), which can independently plan and execute tasks with minimal human intervention, is gaining interest. Automation (52%) remains the most common form of AI, followed by generative AI (49%) and predictive AI (40%).
Ohad Idan, VP of Product at Rootstock, notes that the obstacles to AI are changing: "In 2024, skills, integration, and cost were key barriers. Today, all three have eased, and the biggest concern is whether AI's output can be trusted."
🤝 Preference for Human-Controlled AI
Research from Rootstock and TeamViewer indicates that manufacturers want human-supervised AI. In the Rootstock survey, 73% of respondents prefer human-guided AI or AI that can operate autonomously within certain limits and intervene when necessary, while only 13% prefer fully autonomous AI.
TeamViewer, on the other hand, found that 46% of respondents want human intervention in situations where AI actions could affect safety, data, or operations.
Governance is still an evolving area. According to Rootstock data, employee training stands out as the most common responsible AI practice (40%).
🤔 AI Skepticism Month: Warnings from Colin Masson
Colin Masson from ARC Advisory Group aims to temper vendor enthusiasm about AI's role in digital transformation by approaching it with healthy skepticism this month. Masson's five-part series technically and cautiously explains why claims of billion-dollar models for AI on the factory floor are collapsing. This is an important step in cutting through the hype surrounding AI.
