Autodesk, in collaboration with Make UK, has released a comprehensive report titled 'Future Factories powered by AI' which surveys the perspectives of 151 companies regarding artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and automation within the UK manufacturing sector. The report sheds light on the current landscape, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges faced by manufacturers, while also suggesting how government initiatives could bolster the adoption of advanced technologies.
The findings reveal that approximately two-thirds of British manufacturing companies are currently utilising AI, particularly in efforts to manage energy consumption and reduce waste. However, the report also indicates a significant knowledge gap, with only 16% of the surveyed companies reporting a strong understanding of AI’s diverse applications.
AI integration appears more prevalent among larger enterprises, with 36% of companies incorporating AI into their manufacturing processes. This integration is notably more common in large companies, which are more than twice as likely to adopt AI compared to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The push for sustainability is reflected in the report, with about a quarter of companies implementing AI as part of their decarbonisation strategies. The data suggests that 93% of manufacturers are leveraging AI to optimise energy consumption, while 57% employ AI to enhance resource efficiencies.
Despite the evident advantages of AI integration, various barriers are hindering its widespread adoption. These include a lack of expertise in effectively applying AI and difficulties in accessing necessary technical and digital skills. This knowledge deficiency is particularly evident within SMEs, which are reportedly missing out on potential benefits such as increased profits—experienced by nearly a quarter of the companies surveyed—and an enhanced capacity to take on additional work, noted by a third of respondents after adopting AI technologies.
The report also addresses the use of digital tools, including robotics. Currently, only 16% of companies are employing robotics within their operations, while 38% are contemplating their use. Alarmingly, almost 29% of companies surveyed do not intend to consider robotics at all. This statistic paints a concerning picture of the UK's standing in global robotics utilisation; the country ranks 24th worldwide and uses a mere 0.5% of the world's robot population. In contrast, Italy, with a comparable industrial base, utilizes 1.6% of global robots.
The comprehensive insights provided by the report are available for public access online, offering a detailed examination of the state of AI in UK manufacturing and the potential for future developments in the sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services