This weekly update covers major developments in artificial intelligence and manufacturing as companies shift from testing AI to actually using it in their daily work. The big news is that agentic AI—smart computer systems that can think and make decisions on their own—is moving from test projects into real factory operations. Companies around the world are building AI factories, which are organized systems that help factories run better with artificial intelligence. One key finding is that 48% of companies in telecommunications and 47% in retail are already using or testing AI agents. However, manufacturers face a real challenge: most factories were not built to handle all this new automation and AI technology. According to experts, the biggest problem is not the AI itself, but getting factories and their computer systems ready for it. Companies like Dassault Systèmes and Samsung are working with major tech companies to update their factories for this new technology. The good news is that when AI is used correctly, it helps workers do their jobs faster and better. For example, some companies have cut the time needed to set up production from months down to just days. Overall, 64% of organizations worldwide are now actively using AI in their operations, and most are planning to spend even more money on AI in 2026.