Press Release: Rockwell Automation Report Highlights AI and Workforce Challenges in the Automotive Sector
Rockwell Automation, a leader in industrial automation, has unveiled its 10th annual "State of Smart Manufacturing Report: Automotive Edition," revealing a pronounced shift toward artificial intelligence (AI) and technology within the automotive industry. The report presents insights from 130 automotive leaders across 15 countries, emphasizing the sector’s ongoing dedication to technological innovation to tackle workforce and operational challenges.
Key findings indicate that workforce issues are paramount, with change management leading at 37%, followed by employee retention (33%), rising costs of skilled labor (36%), and recruitment difficulties (31%). These challenges underscore the pressing need for effective strategies as the industry evolves.
In terms of investment, over 62% of respondents identified long-term business impact as the main motivation for embracing technology. Investments are primarily aimed at enhancing quality control and robotics, aligning with broader trends as the industry looks ahead to 2025. Notably, the automotive sector appears increasingly optimistic about AI, with only 14% of participants considering it a risk, down from 24% in 2023.
Moreover, automotive companies are actively investing in generative AI, robotic process automation (RPA), and digital tools to improve efficiency and mitigate safety and compliance risks. To address a projected worker shortfall of 7.9 million by 2030, automotive manufacturers are prioritizing employee upskilling, focusing on recruiting individuals possessing both technical expertise in AI and essential soft skills.
As the automotive landscape rapidly transforms, Rockwell Automation’s report underscores the critical balance between technology adoption and workforce development, paving the way for a resilient future in the sector.
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