AI In Manufacturing: Adoption And The Path To Practical Impact

InnovationAI In Manufacturing: Adoption And The Path To Practical ImpactByPrashant Darisi,Forbes Councils Member.for Forbes Technology CouncilCOUNCIL POSTExpertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author. | Membership (fee-based)May 26, 2026, 08:30am EDTPrashant Darisi is Vice President for Solution Design at Octave. getty​Artificial intelligence has moved from a buzzword to a boardroom priority across the manufacturing sector. The narrative indicates that adoption rates are rising steadily, but the actual traction that I've seen in the industry—measured in ROI and operational impact—tells a less-than-optimistic story. I believe acknowledging our expectations versus actual adoption is key to unlocking the promise that AI brings.Jazz Versus ROI: Positive SignsFrom what I've seen in this space, manufacturers have been investing heavily in AI. I've seen large enterprises engaging in pilot programs in areas like predictive maintenance, quality inspection and supply chain optimization. That said, I would say that these are more like experiments than real pilots.I spend a lot of time with our customers and industry leaders, and unfortunately, actual ROI is unclear. While some organizations claim gains, especially productivity-related ones, many initiatives stall at the proof-of-concept stage. The result is an increasing gap: AI is widely explored but not consistently scaled—and definitely not cohesive across the organization.This discrepancy often comes down to execution. Companies that treat AI as a strategic capability tied to real operational problems and proceed with outcome-based pilots tend to see ROI. Those that approach it as an experimental or isolated tech initiative often struggle to generate value.What Is Slowing Us Down, And What Can We Do?There are several barriers at play here.1. Unrealistic Use Cases: Many organizations start with overly ambitious or vague goals. These visions, while c...