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      AI is reshaping the manufacturing landscape

      KPMG's extensive research into AI in manufacturing reveals a transformative blueprint for manufacturers aiming to harness the power of artificial intelligence.

      AI has become a necessity rather than an option, enabling predictive maintenance, intelligent automation and data-driven optimisation.

      By engaging with executive leaders across eight key global markets, this comprehensive report outlines actionable insights on how AI can transform industrial ecosystems to unlock AI’s immense value and create competitive advantage.

      Download the full report

      This research outlines a blueprint for AI in manufacturing, helping organisations chart a path to unlocking AI’s value.

      Futuristic light energy

      Reimagining manufacturing

      Key insights

      Driving efficiency is a core strategic objective for manufacturing

      AI is a competitive necessity and early results are promising
       

      93%

      believe that organisations in their industry that embrace AI will develop a competitive edge over those who do not.

      72%

      intend to use AI to improve efficiency, 77 percent to drive growth.
       

      96%

      have experienced operational and efficiency improvements and 62% experiencing an ROI of greater than 10%.

      Implementation challenges and sustainability concerns
       

      56%

      have faced data challenges when implementing AI.
       

      78%

      believe meeting sustainability targets is more important than AI.
       

      85%

      have plans in place to mitigate the increased energy demands of implementing AI technology.


      AI is no longer optional - it’s a competitive necessity. For Australian manufacturers, predictive maintenance and intelligent automation are game-changers.

      Tim Plenderleith

      National Sector Lead, Industrial Markets

      KPMG Australia

      Data challenges and sustainability goals must be tackled together. AI can help Australian industry meet both efficiency and ESG targets.

      Georgie Aley

      Consulting Sector Lead, Industrial Markets

      KPMG Australia

      Realising value from your AI transformation journey

      To address these challenges, KPMG introduces the three phases of AI value — a framework designed to guide manufacturers through the AI adoption journey.

      This phased approach can unlock significant value through AI-driven transformation, ensuring manufacturing companies remain competitive and innovative. 

      Click on each of the phases to find out more.


      Enable Embed Evolve Value Maturity Enterprise Functions Foundations

      Enable

      The Enable phase focuses on enabling people and building AI foundations. Organisations appoint a responsible executive, create an AI strategy, identify high-value use cases, boost AI literacy, align with regulations and establish ethical guardrails. AI pilots are launched across functions, while cloud platforms and pre-trained models are leveraged with minimal customisation.

      Embed

      The Embed phase integrates AI into workflows, products, services, value streams, robotics, and wearables, delivering greater value. A senior leader drives enterprise-wide workforce redesign, re-skilling and change, embedding AI into operating models with a focus on ethics, trust and security. AI agents and diverse models are deployed, supported by cloud and legacy tech modernisation, while enterprise-wide data enhances operations.

      Evolve

      The Evolve phase evolves business models and ecosystems, using AI and frontier technologies like quantum computing and blockchain to solve large sector-wide challenges. AI orchestrates seamless value across enterprises and partners. Emphasising ethics and trust with real-time security, this phase uplifts human potential with broad and deep workforce training, fostering a creative, innovative and value-driven future.

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      Discover more

      We put people, trust and governance at the core of AI – helping organisations accelerate value with confidence, using our Trusted AI framework.

      KPMG can help manufacturing enterprises respond to key issues such as innovation, lean manufacturing, time to market, quality and climate change.