News June/July 2026 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 07 Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global manufacturing, redefining what productivity, efficiency and competitiveness look like for the next decade. For UK manufacturers AI offers huge potential. The majority of manufacturers believe AI represents a net gain for the UK economy. 78% of respondents think rapid and widespread AI adoption will increase Britain’s global competitiveness, while only 22% believe it will burden industry with more costs. This optimism stands out. It suggests that industry leaders see AI not simply as a tool, but as a strategic necessity, which is critical for competing with global manufacturing businesses wo are already investing aggressively in automation, advanced analytics and digital factories. Importantly, this confidence persists even though many businesses are still early in their AI journey. Manufacturers appear to accept that initial investment may be high, but the longerterm gains (productivity, efficiency, quality and innovation) are too significant ignore. Manufacturers were equally clear about the benefits they expect from AI. The dominant advantage, selected by 65%, is increased productivity an area where the UK lags its international competitors and where AI could unlock major gains. The UK Government has recognised this potential and is devoting significant resources too attracting international technology companies with the promise of huge data centres. The common perception of the use of AI is in functions such as marketing, research and through technology such as machine learning. However there is increasing take up of AI in health & safety where the promise of significant productivity gains are achievable and tools to manage health and safety across an organisation, all in one integrated platform. The need to manage health, safety and wellbeing across organisations is becoming increasingly important, not just in an age where the cost of not doing do is more prohibitive but, when there is clear evidence that managing health, safety and wellbeing effectively and across an organisation from top to bottom is just as important to boosting productivity as any other business investment. There are six key areas where AI can aid health, safety and wellbeing: risk assessments, incident reporting, fire and electrical safety, construction, training and competency and PPE detection. AI tools, offer a range of options across these areas including real time information, audit trails, automated reminders and professional reporting, all of which can be managed across multiple sites using a single account using a phone or tablet. AI can also integrate regular legislation updates and fast guidance on what is required with either template or customisable forms. However, as with many other aspects of business change, the introduction of radical change into any business process will require careful management and involve buy in from the whole workforce. For example, using AI to involve PPE detection and camera based monitoring will need to be done in a way that doesn’t make employees fearful that ‘big brother’ is watching you and is being done to keep them safe rather than watch over them. The way to avoid this, like any other business process is to ensure there is buy in across the business from top to bottom and, all processes are managed and monitored effectively. The benefits from AI in managing health, safety and wellbeing both as a contributor to boosting productivity, business performance and maintaining a safe and healthy workforce are becoming clear. By MAKE UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson MAKE uk - the manufacturers’ organisation monthly news comment Rockwell Automation announces new research showing UK manufacturers shift from AI adoption to industrial execution Rockwell Automation has announced the UK findings of its 11th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report. The study, based on feedback from more than 1500 manufacturing leaders globally, highlights a clear shift in how UK manufacturers are approaching digital transformation. With 87% of organisations now recognising it as essential and allocating an average of 27% of operating budgets to industrial technology, the UK has moved beyond early-stage adoption and into a phase where digital investment must translate into operational performance. “UK manufacturers are moving beyond experimentation into a phase where digital technologies must deliver consistent operational outcomes,” said Phil Hadfield, UK managing director, Rockwell Automation. “The challenge is no longer access to technology, but the ability to embed it into production environments in a way that improves performance, resilience and competitiveness.” Artificial intelligence sits at the centre of this transition. Nearly half of manufacturers have already invested in AI, and adoption of generative AI is now widespread. The focus, however, is shifting away from experimentation toward practical use cases that deliver measurable value. Cybersecurity has emerged as the leading AI application, followed closely by quality control and process optimisation, reflecting a growing emphasis on protecting and stabilising increasingly complex production environments. This growing reliance on connected technologies is also reshaping risk. Half of UK manufacturers report experiencing at least one cyberattack in the past year, despite strong levels of investment in cybersecurity. The implication is clear: as digital maturity increases, so too does exposure. Cybersecurity is no longer a supporting function, but a central pillar of industrial strategy. At the same time, workforce dynamics are becoming a defining factor in how quickly digital transformation can progress. Rising labour costs now affect 40% of manufacturers, while change management challenges have increased significantly year-on-year. Rather than reducing headcount, organizations are focusing on reskilling and workforce development, with more than a third of employees now engaged in training programmes designed to support digital roles. This shift is closely linked to the growing importance of AI capability. A clear majority of manufacturers now see AI skills as critical to attracting the next generation of talent, highlighting a structural change in how industrial workforces are being shaped.
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