Food and beverage manufacturers are moving beyond isolated AI pilots to achieve measurable business outcomes at scale, according to Rockwell Automation, Inc.’s 2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report.
“Many manufacturers have moved beyond asking whether AI can deliver value,” said Greg Schmidt, vice president, CPG Global Industry, Rockwell Automation. “The focus now is on how to scale successful pilots across the enterprise. That requires more than new technology. It requires connected data, integrated operations and a clear link between AI initiatives and business outcomes.”
Scaling AI beyond pilot projects
The report finds that organisations most successful with AI integrate it into a broader digital transformation strategy. Rather than isolated use cases, they invest in connecting operational and business systems, improving data accessibility, and aligning AI initiatives with objectives such as improving quality, increasing productivity, reducing costs, and minimising risk.
The analysis highlights the increasing importance of IT and OT integration as AI adoption grows. Respondents expect AI-supported manufacturing processes to rise from about 37% today to over 60% by 2030, making access to connected, contextualised data essential.
Food and beverage manufacturers are prioritising measurable outcomes such as improved quality, increased productivity, reduced costs, and lower operational risk.
The research identifies workforce readiness as critical for long-term success. The report found that 93% of manufacturers expect smart manufacturing initiatives to reshape their workforce, and 40% have reskilled employees in the past year.
