NTT DATA’s latest report confirms that an overwhelming 97% of manufacturing leaders and decision-makers in the APAC region have experienced GenAI's direct impact on improving efficiency and bottom-line performance in the manufacturing sector.
“AI is streamlining processes and redefining what’s possible across the entire manufacturing value chain, from supply chain predictions to quality control,” said Prasoon Saxena, co-Lead, Products Industries, NTT DATA, Inc.
“GenAI can help organisations achieve flexibility in fast-changing business environments, especially in the face of uncertain tariff policies worldwide,” Saxena said.
AI’s impact on manufacturing
The survey of over 500 manufacturing leaders and decision-makers in 34 countries, including APAC, also finds that almost all (99%) in APAC expect the integration of Internet of Things (i.e., IoT/edge) data into GenAI models will significantly improve the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated outputs.
In the region, 97% say combining digital twins and GenAI will improve physical asset performance and supply chain resilience.
Barriers to success
Manufacturers in APAC still face significant challenges, including infrastructure (91%), complementary technologies (99%), responsible frameworks (48%), workforce readiness (53%), and data management (46%).
“The most successful manufacturing organisations have already integrated GenAI into essential operations,” Saxena said. “Companies failing to plan, deploy and govern GenAI strategically will not only have a problem, they may be planning to fail.”
