This week brought major news about artificial intelligence changing how factories work around the world. Companies are moving beyond simple AI tools to create smart AI agents that can make decisions and solve problems on their own.

A big study from Industry Week found that three times more manufacturers are now using AI across their entire companies compared to last year. These AI systems help factories run better by watching machines and predicting when they might break down. However, many companies still struggle to measure how much money they save from using AI.

Houston, Texas is becoming a major hub for AI manufacturing as big tech companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Foxconn build new AI server factories in the city. These aren't regular factories - they need special cooling systems and lots of electricity to make the computer chips that power AI systems.

Meanwhile, Cisco and NVIDIA teamed up to create something called the "Secure AI Factory". This new system helps companies build AI agents that can instantly find and use company data to make smart business decisions. These AI agents go way beyond simple chatbots - they can actually help solve real business problems.

A defense company called Hadrian raised $260 million to expand its AI-powered manufacturing in California and Arizona. The company uses AI and robots to build military equipment much faster than traditional factories. They can set up new factories in just six months using their special AI software.

The U.S. government is also investing heavily in AI infrastructure. Hitachi Energy announced a $1 billion investment to build better electrical systems that can power all these new AI factories. This shows how serious the country is about becoming a leader in AI manufacturing.