Rockwell Automation’s 10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report (2025) reveals a sector accelerating digital transformation amid global uncertainty. Over 1,500 manufacturing leaders highlight AI and smart technologies as essential to building resilient, data-driven operations. While 56% are piloting smart manufacturing and 20% are scaling it, inflation, cybersecurity, and labor shortages remain top challenges. AI adoption is rising sharply—half of respondents plan to use AI/ML for quality control, 49% for cybersecurity, and 41% to address workforce gaps. The report emphasizes that automation doesn’t replace workers but increases demand for skilled talent in AI, analytics, and cybersecurity. By 2027, 95% of manufacturers expect to invest in AI, GenAI, or Causal AI, positioning these tools as central to quality, sustainability, and competitiveness.

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