A new global survey reveals a stark gap between manufacturers’ enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) and their actual readiness to implement it.
While 92% of manufacturing leaders say AI is a top C-suite priority and a competitive advantage, only 32% report being fully prepared to launch AI projects today — trailing other industries by five percentage points.
The study, part of Riverbed’s Global AI & Digital Experience Survey, highlights both the promise and the pain points of AI adoption in the manufacturing sector. Key obstacles include data quality, scalability, and operational readiness.
Manufacturers aren’t ready to implement AI
Despite these barriers, optimism is high. Almost all manufacturing leaders (97%) believe AI will improve digital experiences for end users, and 89% see AI automation as critical for boosting IT efficiency. However, they face three core challenges:
- A “reality gap” between perceived and actual AI maturity
- A “readiness gap” in infrastructure and planning
- A “data gap” that hinders AI effectiveness
“42% of manufacturing leaders rated their data quality as excellent, while 69% voiced concerns about whether their data is even usable for AI,” said Jim Gargan, CMO of Riverbed. He stressed the importance of data quality and observability tools in realizing AI’s full potential.
Generational attitudes toward AI are also shaping the sector. Manufacturing leaders view Millennials and Gen Z as equally comfortable with AI, each group cited by 45% of respondents. The younger workforce is seen as instrumental to successful AI integration.
Many manufacturers are already moving past experimentation. More than half (56%) are investing in AI infrastructure and talent, while 29% say AI is already embedded in their operations. Workflow automation tops the list of AI applications (80%), followed by automated remediation (69%) and 24/7 support tools like chatbots (63%).
Looking ahead, manufacturers expect a shift in AI’s role. Today, most see it as a tool for efficiency (58%). By 2027, however, 65% anticipate using AI primarily for growth. This flip — one of the largest across all industries surveyed — suggests a significant evolution in AI strategy.
The findings come from a survey of 1,200 decision-makers across sectors, including 200 in manufacturing. While confidence in AI is high, the message is clear: Enthusiasm alone won’t close the gap between vision and reality.
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