Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today released new insights examining how food and beverage manufacturers can move beyond isolated AI pilots and achieve measurable business outcomes at scale. Drawing on findings from the Rockwell Automation 2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, the analysis highlights the data, technology, and workforce challenges organizations must address to translate AI investments into enterprise-wide impact.
AI adoption is accelerating across the food and beverage industry. According to the 2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, nearly 90% of food and beverage manufacturers are already using AI and machine learning or plan to do so in the near future. At the same time, manufacturers report effectively using only about 45% of the data they collect, creating a significant barrier to scaling AI initiatives and realizing their full value.
“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.”
The findings show that organizations achieving the greatest success with AI are treating it as part of a broader digital transformation strategy. Rather than focusing on standalone use cases, they are investing in stronger connections between operational and business systems, improving data accessibility, and aligning AI programs to key objectives — such as improving quality, increasing productivity, reducing costs, and minimizing risk.
The analysis also highlights the growing importance of IT/OT integration as manufacturers expand AI adoption. Industry respondents expect AI-supported manufacturing processes to increase from approximately 37% today to more than 60% by 2030, making access to connected and contextualized data increasingly critical.
Beyond technology, the research points to workforce readiness as a key factor in long-term success. The report found that 93% of manufacturers expect smart manufacturing initiatives to reshape their workforce, while 40% reported reskilling employees during the past year. Organizations that align people, processes, and technology are often better positioned to scale innovation and sustain results over time.
