According to the "Spotlight Future 2024" study by PLM provider Aras, almost 80 percent of industrial companies lack the knowledge or capacity to successfully implement artificial intelligence (AI). The current deficits in the industry are clearly identified in the global study: 79 percent of companies admit to capacity bottlenecks, 77 percent a lack of knowledge, 75 percent blame isolated IT applications and 70 percent the existing data quality.

Future 2024 spotlight: the impact of AI

© Aras

Jens Rollenmüller, Regional Vice President at Aras, explains: "Adapting and modernizing the existing IT landscape can remove existing obstacles and enable companies to reap the benefits of AI."
He sees enormous potential in the transformation to a data-driven company: "However, a more proactive and company-wide AI integration is necessary, from development to production and sales. 84% of study participants forecast additional or better services through the use of AI. A further 82 percent expect higher quality and reliability and 79 percent expect lower production costs. This shows that a bold technological approach offers opportunities and benefits for companies and customers."

Data quality is crucial

The data collected during production, combined with information from the supply and customer chain, forms the working material for artificial intelligence. The study participants primarily rely on product data, quality control data, production data and customer data. Aras Manager Rollenmüller: "The quality of the data is decisive for successful use. Many study participants have recognized that their data quality is not sufficient to achieve the company's goals. 51 percent are therefore intensifying their efforts to obtain better data from production, 46 percent from service and 45 percent are paying particular attention to research and development."

Obstacles to the use of AI

© Aras

In combination with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), AI can be even more effective, Aras continues. 75 percent of respondents see their PLM strategy influenced by the use of AI technologies. And two out of three say that their current PLM platform and data infrastructure is well prepared for the use of AI technologies.

The "Spotlight Future 2024" study, which was conducted in December 2023, surveyed 835 managers from Europe, the USA and Japan. The survey participants work in companies with a minimum turnover of 40 million euros in the automotive, aerospace & defense, mechanical engineering, medical technology, chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. The study is available to download free of charge.