Inside Europe’s factories - why AI still isn’t delivering (www.techradar.com)

A recent analysis reveals a significant gap between the enthusiastic discourse around AI in European manufacturing and its actual implementation. According to Deloitte's 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey, while 92% of manufacturing leaders recognize AI as crucial for competitiveness, only 13.5% of EU enterprises have adopted it. This disparity highlights the urgent need to reassess how AI can be integrated into manufacturing processes amid ongoing challenges like rising energy costs and labor shortages. To bridge this gap, industry leaders are encouraged to focus on clearly defining the problems AI is meant to solve. Engaging directly with frontline workers and leveraging real-time data can lead to more meaningful insights and improvements in operational efficiency. The article illustrates this idea through a hypothetical scenario where a CEO uses an AI application to prepare for site visits, enabling informed, targeted conversations with employees. By fostering collaboration between technology and human insight, manufacturers can create a more innovative and responsive operational culture, ultimately positioning themselves for a competitive edge in the market.