67% of the industrial sector is already using AI to manufacture products
Artificial intelligence has become a powerful tool for transforming the industrial sector. In a context of increasing productivity and competitiveness, 67% of industrial companies are already using AI and machine vision for product manufacturing, more specifically for production optimisation.
This is reflected in the Ascendant report by Minsait (Indra) which, under the title ‘AI: X-ray of a revolution in progress’, analyses its degree of adoption in private companies and public institutions.
The study also reveals that, in addition to manufacturing, six out of ten industrial companies already use AI to improve the quality and physical safety of their employees through digital checks, tests and image-based defect recognition. Another application is in supply chain management, where artificial intelligence can already predict blockages in logistics or manage inventories in real time. In fact, some companies are already managing to reduce their storage costs by up to 10%.
In this sense, optimising operations and saving costs is the main motivation for using artificial intelligence for 68% of the companies interviewed. However, the use of AI is not only having a profound impact on production processes, but also on data-driven strategic decision-making, which is fundamental for 25% of companies. Thus, the capture of massive data in real time is making it possible to identify trends and patterns, improving the industry's capacity for innovation and adaptability. These advances are reducing the margin of error and improving product quality, which in turn translates into increased customer satisfaction and reduced costs throughout the supply chain.
Despite the strong industry interest in this solution, there are barriers that will need to be overcome to ensure proper adoption and integration, such as the difficulty of identifying use cases that really add value, lack of technology infrastructure and lack of vision from senior management, says the Ascendant report, where the organisations surveyed also highlight skills shortages and regulatory instability.
Digital twins and co-pilots
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence into industrial operations is a major milestone in the adoption of advanced technologies, with Industry 4.0 positioning itself as a major opportunity to drive efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability.
The sector, according to the conclusions of Minsait's analysis, is heading towards a future where companies continue to invest in analytics-based AI and the development of co-pilots that contribute to creating their own differential use cases for their business. Along these lines, technologies such as the digital twin will facilitate simulations and monitoring of operations, enabling much more accurate product manufacturing and troubleshooting when defects arise in these processes.
‘We are in the midst of a revolution driven by generative AI, and the industrial sector is no stranger to this change. Artificial intelligence has the potential to drive digital transformation and business growth, providing companies that adopt it with a competitive advantage and the opportunity to explore new opportunities for innovation and sustainability. This is why it is essential for the industry to adopt a strategic approach and make the necessary investments for its correct adoption,’ says Eladio García, Director of Infrastructure and Industry at Minsait.
The fifth edition of Minsait's Ascendant Digital Maturity 2024 Report addresses the context and degree of adoption of artificial intelligence by companies and public administrations. To this end, the information provided by more than 900 organisations in Spain and other countries from 15 different sectors of activity has been analysed.