AI takes the wheel for smarter factory floors

Manufacturers are co-opting AI as an engine for growth and faster decision-making rather than a tool for slashing costs, according to the AI Readiness & Adoption Survey conducted by Cisco in collaboration with The Economic Times.

The survey, for which 70 CXOs from manufacturing firms were interviewed, found that meeting customer expectations (49%) and boosting operational efficiency (47%) were the primary forces driving AI adoption. However, cost reduction, often touted as a top reason for AI adoption in enterprises, ranked last at just 23%.