The pandemic led to 'significant' increase in AI adoption across manufacturing, survey finds

New research from Google Cloud and The Harris Poll reveals that the pandemic led to a significant increase in AI use across manufacturers. According to a survey of senior executives at over 1,000 companies, two-thirds of manufacturers that use AI in their day-to-day operations report that their reliance on AI is increasing, with 74% claiming that they align with the changing work landscape. According to a 2020 PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, companies in manufacturing expect efficiency gains over the next five years attributable to digital transformations. McKinsey's research with the World Economic Forum puts the value creation potential of manufacturers implementing "Industry 4.0" -- the automation of traditional industrial practices -- at $3.7 trillion in 2025. Seventy-six percent of respondents to the Google Cloud report say that they've turned to "disruptive technologies" like AI, data analytics, and the cloud to help navigate the pandemic.