New research shows that Rockwell Automation is studying why the adoption of AI does not immediately translate into measurable business results.
Milwaukee, October 28, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- Rockwell Automation, Inc. ( NYSE : ROK ) Today, new insights were released on how food and beverage manufacturers can move beyond isolated AI pilot projects to achieve measurable business results on a larger scale. This analysis is based on the insights from the Rockwell "2026 Smart Manufacturing Status Report" and highlights the challenges companies face in terms of data, technology, and personnel. Only by addressing these issues can AI investments have a meaningful impact across the entire enterprise.
The application of AI in the entire food and beverage industry has clearly accelerated. According to the "2026 Intelligent Manufacturing Status Report," nearly 90% of food and beverage manufacturers are already using AI and machine learning, or plan to adopt these technologies in the near future. At the same time, manufacturers indicate that they can only effectively utilize about 45% of the collected data, which poses a significant obstacle to expanding the scale of AI projects and unleashing their full potential.
Rockwell Automation, Vice President of the Global Consumer Goods Industry, stated: "Many manufacturers no longer ask whether AI can bring value. The focus now is on how to expand successful pilot projects across the entire enterprise. This requires more than just new technologies. The prerequisites are data interconnection, process integration, and clearly linking AI projects with business outcomes."
The research results show that the most successful AI implementations are often seen as part of a broader digital transformation strategy. Rather than focusing on isolated use cases, these companies tend to strengthen the connections between operational systems and business systems, improve data accessibility, and align AI projects with key objectives such as enhancing quality and productivity, reducing costs, and lowering risks.
The analysis also emphasizes that as manufacturers expand the application of AI, the importance of integrating IT / OT is increasing. Industry insiders interviewed predict that the proportion of manufacturing processes driven by AI will rise from the current approximately 37% to over 60% by 2030. As a result, access to data that is connected and contextual becomes increasingly important.
In addition to technology, research also indicates that labor skills are a key factor for long-term success. According to the report, 93% of manufacturers expect that smart manufacturing initiatives will change their workforce composition. 40% of respondents stated that they have retrained their employees over the past year. Companies that are able to align personnel, processes, and technology are often better equipped to scale innovation and maintain these results over the long term.
The full article “From AI Pilots to Corporate Success: How Food and Beverage Manufacturers Scale AI to Achieve Measurable Business Results” can be found at [LINK].
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it difficult for food and beverage manufacturers to expand AI from pilot programs to a larger scale?
Although the use of AI applications has become quite widespread, many enterprises lack the interconnected data, standardized processes, and integrated systems required for scaling. Food and beverage manufacturers report that they can only effectively utilize about 45% of the collected data, which limits the ability of AI to achieve results across the entire enterprise.
Why is data connectivity so crucial for the success of AI?
AI can only form meaningful insights when access to reliable and context-rich data is available. Manufacturers that connect operational systems with business systems can enhance transparency, reduce data silos, and leverage AI to support faster and more informed decision-making.
What business outcomes do manufacturers hope to achieve through AI?
Food and beverage manufacturers are paying increasing attention to measurable outcomes, including improving quality, enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and minimizing operational risks. Enterprises that align their AI projects with these goals are typically better able to demonstrate a return on investment and gain support for broader adoption.
What are the differences between manufacturers that have successfully expanded the scale of AI and those that have not been so successful?
Leading companies regard AI as part of a broader transformation strategy, rather than a series of independent projects. They build a strong data foundation, integrate IT and OT systems, create repeatable processes, and invest in employee skill development to support long-term adoption and business success.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE : ROK) is a global leader in the fields of industrial automation and digital transformation. We combine human creativity with technical capabilities to push the boundaries of human potential and make the world more productive and sustainable. Rockwell Automation is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, and employs approximately 26,000 people, providing support to customers in over 100 countries (as of the end of the 2025 fiscal year). For more information on how industrial enterprises can implement Connected Enterprise, please visit www.rockwellautomation.com.
