A new study from IDS-INDATA revealed that the automotive sector is leading the way in the adoption of artificial intelligence across UK manufacturing industries.
The automotive industry emerged as the clear leader, with an estimated 60% AI adoption rate and a perfect maturity score of 5/5.
"The statistics show that AI adoption varies dramatically across UK manufacturing sectors, with some industries racing ahead while others are still in the early stages of their journey. The automotive sector's strong performance reflects years of focused investment and clear strategic vision for how AI can transform their operations,” says Iain Askew, managing director at IDS-INDATA. "What's encouraging is that sectors like food and beverage, while currently at lower adoption levels, have significant untapped potential. We are already seeing innovative companies in these industries implement AI in ways that deliver real business benefits. By following the examples set by leading sectors such as automotive and electronics, they can accelerate their AI transformation and strengthen competitiveness."
Key takeaways:
· Electronics and high-tech ranked second among UK manufacturing sectors, with an impressive 55% adoption rate of AI. Similar to the automotive industry, these companies also achieved a 5/5 maturity score, demonstrating high investment levels in AI technology and securing their position as leaders in the field.
· At the other end of the spectrum, the food and beverage sector is in the early stages of AI adoption, with only 20% of the industry implementing it. With a maturity score of 2/5 and low-to-medium investment levels, the sector has been classified as an emerging adopter, highlighting considerable opportunities for growth.
