Asia Pacific takes the lead in smart manufacturing with AI-driven transformation

The 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing report shows Asia Pacific manufacturers are accelerating AI adoption faster than any other region, moving beyond pilot projects to real-world execution. Nearly half of surveyed firms are scaling AI to close workforce gaps, manage cybersecurity risks, and advance sustainability goals.

Now in its tenth edition, the global survey of 1,500 manufacturing leaders underscores how technology has become central to competitiveness. In APAC, trust in AI is strengthening, with 41 per cent of respondents planning to expand workplace automation to offset labour shortages and enhance decision-making.

Manufacturers are increasingly using AI for sophisticated tasks like quality assurance and adaptive control—reducing human error and improving responsiveness. The region also ranks cybersecurity as its top external challenge, prompting firms to invest in secure-by-design systems and upskill workers to meet new digital standards.

The report notes encouraging signs of progress in workforce readiness. The skills gap has narrowed slightly, with 29 per cent of APAC manufacturers citing it as a concern, down from 31 per cent last year. AI is also enabling smarter energy management, supporting both cost efficiency and sustainability as businesses align with ESG objectives.

As Rockwell Automation’s findings suggest, manufacturers across the Asia Pacific are building smarter, cleaner, and more resilient production ecosystems.

Explore the full report to learn how APAC manufacturers are setting the pace for the next era of intelligent industry.