Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from experimentation into mainstream manufacturing. The important question is no longer simply what can AI do? It is where can it create measurable value for manufacturers?
That question was at the heart of the Engineering & Manufacturing Network’s The Real Value of AI in Manufacturing roundtable, hosted by Husqvarna in Newton Aycliffe on 21 October 2026.
For manufacturers, successful AI adoption is not simply about choosing the newest technology. Businesses need to identify the right opportunities, understand their existing processes, make informed decisions about data and risk, engage their workforce and develop the skills needed to turn good ideas into sustainable improvements.
And for EMN members, there is now an opportunity to take that first step completely free of charge.
Moving from AI experimentation to real business value
Many organisations are already experimenting with generative AI to research topics, summarise information, draft content and analyse data.
Manufacturers are also exploring areas including:
- workflow automation;
- intelligent document processing;
- predictive approaches;
- visual inspection;
- production optimisation; and
- improved management information.
Experimentation is useful. However, experimenting with AI is not the same as achieving meaningful business transformation.
Before investing in technology, manufacturers should consider some fundamental questions:
- Which business problems are genuinely worth solving?
- Should a process be automated, redesigned or left unchanged?
- Is the necessary data available and reliable?
- What operational, ethical and organisational risks need to be managed?
- How will employees, managers and customers be affected?
- Who will lead implementation and adoption?
- How will success and value be measured?
These are not simply technology questions. They are business, operational and people questions too.
Building AI capability within manufacturing businesses
Manufacturers will continue to need specialist technologists, data professionals and external partners. However, successful adoption cannot sit entirely within an IT department or be left solely to external consultants.
Businesses also need people who understand the organisation and can work across operations, technology, data and workforce change.
That does not mean turning employees into software engineers or data scientists.
Instead, organisations need people who can understand processes, identify inefficiencies, gather requirements, evaluate potential solutions, use data effectively, recognise the risks and limitations of AI, engage colleagues and support new ways of working.
Within a manufacturing business, these people could come from:
- production;
- quality;
- continuous improvement;
- supply chain;
- engineering support;
- finance;
- HR;
- customer service; or
- project and change teams.
Their understanding of bottlenecks, workarounds, duplicated information and avoidable delays can make them an important bridge between AI ambition and operational reality.
Start with the business problem, not the AI tool
Sustainable AI adoption should start with the needs of the organisation, rather than the latest piece of technology.
Manufacturers should first look at their strategic priorities and ask where time, money or productivity is being lost.
Where are the operational bottlenecks? Which processes create recurring errors? Where is work being duplicated? What causes frustration for employees or customers?
Only once the problem is understood should a business consider whether AI, automation or better use of data could form part of the solution.
Developing AI and Automation Practitioners
This approach is central to the new Level 4 AI and Automation Practitioner programme developed by University Centre Quayside (UCQ).
Rather than focusing on one particular AI product or platform, the programme develops capability across the complete improvement journey:
Understand → Analyse → Design → Evaluate → Govern → Change
Workplace application sits at the heart of the programme. Participants investigate genuine opportunities within their own organisations and develop the skills needed to assess and progress those that have the potential to deliver value.
By developing a cross-functional group of practitioners, manufacturers can explore opportunities across operations, quality, supply chain, finance, people, projects and digital functions.
Importantly, not every idea needs to become an AI project.
Identifying that an idea is unsuitable, too risky or unlikely to deliver sufficient value can be just as useful as identifying one that should progress.
Other opportunities could develop into improvement projects that reduce processing time, improve quality, increase capacity, support better decision-making or remove repetitive work.
Free AI and Automation Review for EMN members
For manufacturers wondering where to begin, there is an additional benefit available specifically to the EMN community.
UCQ has developed an AI and Automation Opportunity and Workforce Development Report to help organisations understand their current position, potential opportunities and workforce development priorities.
Comparable reports typically cost around £2,000.
However, UCQ is offering the report to Engineering & Manufacturing Network members completely free of charge.
The review considers:
- business processes;
- systems and technology;
- data readiness;
- people and skills;
- potential AI opportunities;
- governance and risk; and
- industry-specific factors.
The findings provide an overall assessment of an organisation’s current AI position, alongside the workforce capability it may need to move forward.
For manufacturers that are interested in AI but unsure where it could genuinely add value, the review provides an opportunity to step back from the hype and look objectively at the business.
Interested in your free AI and Automation Review?
EMN members can access the AI and Automation Opportunity and Workforce Development Report free of charge.
To find out more about the review or the Level 4 AI and Automation Practitioner programme, contact Gordon.Tait@ucq.ac.uk.
A Free Opportunity and Workforce Development Report
UCQ has developed an AI and Automation Opportunity and Workforce Development Report to help organisations understand their current position and priorities. Comparable reports typically cost around £2,000, but UCQ would like to offer the report to Engineering & Manufacturing Network members free of charge.
The review considers:
- business processes;
- systems and technology;
- data readiness;
- people and skills;
- AI opportunities;
- governance and risk; and
- industry-specific factors.
These findings provide an overall assessment of the organisation’s AI position and the workforce capability required to move forward.
For more information contact: Gordon.Tait@ucq.ac.uk
