This week saw major strides in AI-driven manufacturing, with companies worldwide adopting agentic AI to boost efficiency. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), manufacturers plan to double AI spending, focusing on tools like LeForecast for forecasting and Robotic Inspection for quality control. A global study found that 99% of factories now use AI, with predictive analytics helping avoid equipment breakdowns and generative AI streamlining designs.

In the U.S., food company Conagra used AI to cut product development time from 6 months to 6 weeks by analyzing social media trends and shopping data. However, only 20% of companies have fully digitized supply chains, citing high costs and data challenges as key barriers.

Lenovo showcased new AI tools at Hannover Messe 2025, including systems that automatically fix supply chain issues and reduce energy use. Meanwhile, experts urge factories to start with small AI projects to build trust and skills gradually.