According to a Rockwell Automation survey, most Indian manufacturers are investing in AI and ML, motivated by sustainability and business effects. Manufacturers from different segments were included in this survey. Some have invested in AI and ML technology, while others are planning to do so. A senior officer from Rockwell Automation mentioned this on Friday.
Dilip Sawhney, the Managing Director of Rockwell Automation India, shared that in a survey conducted 2 years back on smart manufacturing, more than half of the organizations stated that they have either already invested in AI or planned to do it in the upcoming 12 months or afterwards. This measure crossed the 90 percent mark in last year’s survey. Sawhney stated:
“This year, it is as high as you can imagine, 99 per cent of the firms. So virtually everyone really is either doing something about it or has plans to do something about it. About a decade plus ago in a market like India, people were still very curious about what industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing. Now they are completely consumed with what these technologies can do for their business.”
Rockwell Automation conducted a global study for its 10th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report”, released in March 2025. More than 1500 manufacturers across 17 prime countries, including India, participated in this survey. Among them, India represented 5 percent of the total survey size.
Of total Indian participants, 23 percent were manufacturers, 28 percent were system integrators (SIs), 13 percent were from EPC (Engineering Procurement Company), and 36 percent were OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
According to the report, 81 percent of Indian respondents cited long-term business effects as their primary motivation for technology investment. Cybersecurity was graded the second biggest external risk among Indian manufacturers. The manufacturer’s share, which is planning to use AI for cybersecurity, is anticipated to rise to 49 percent in 2025, compared to 40% in 2024. Sawhney stated:
“Organisations in India said that they have either already invested or plan to invest in cybersecurity solutions and platforms. That number is close to about 97 per cent.”
According to 94% of those surveyed, Indian manufacturers find greater sustainability benefits and have a formal sustainability program in line. Sawhney added:
“What really also came out was India, surprisingly, and that also indicates the maturity of the players in the Indian manufacturing sector about sustainability.”
According to the survey, manufacturers want to repurpose or recruit more staff due to smart manufacturing expenditures. 41% addressing labor shortages and the skills gap by utilizing automation and artificial intelligence.