Rootstock’s 2024–2025 survey of 369 manufacturers shows AI adoption is accelerating, with 77% already using AI and 82% planning budget increases. Manufacturers prefer copilots (53%) over agents (22%), reflecting a desire for human-AI collaboration. Automation leads usage (57%), while generative AI surged to 50%. Current applications focus on production (31%) and inventory (28%), but supply chain (49%) and big data (43%) are driving new growth. Benefits include efficiency (49%) and productivity (40%), with future hopes in planning and quality control. Barriers remain—expertise gaps (45%) and integration challenges (44%)—though training (60%) and easier tools (41%) are helping close the skills gap. (896 characters)

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