Rockwell Automation, an industrial automation and digital transformation company, has revealed findings from its 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report focusing on the Middle East.
The research shows that manufacturers in the region are among the global leaders for deploying artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with clear business objectives.
Based on responses from more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders worldwide, the report finds that 98% of firms in the Middle East are either already using or planning to implement generative AI, the highest adoption rate globally.
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Additionally, 96% are committed to broader AI and machine learning (ML) technologies.
Manufacturers in the Middle East are moving beyond broad digital expansion, and instead adopting focused strategies that align digital investments with measurable outcomes in efficiency, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
The report highlights that practical AI applications are a priority for manufacturers in the region.
Over the next year, 68% intend to use AI for quality control, 61% for cybersecurity, and 46% for energy management, all figures higher than European benchmarks.
The emphasis on return on investment (ROI) is evident, with 10% of manufacturers citing generative AI as their highest-return technology and 15% identifying cybersecurity platforms as their top-performing investment.
Cybersecurity has become a foundational element of the Middle East’s digital strategy. 98% of companies have invested in or plan to invest in cybersecurity platforms, while 44% are actively deploying countermeasures to combat increasing cyber threats, the highest rate worldwide.
Concern over cyber risk has also risen, with 36% viewing it as their top external threat, compared with 27% the previous year.
The region is also accelerating its ESG transformation, with 70% of firms citing efficiency as their main driver, a 33% increase from last year. Nearly half (46%) now use ESG strategies to support business outcomes, and 42% apply AI and ML to monitor sustainability targets.
Workforce development is another key focus, with upskilling prioritised by 43% of regional respondents, a 14% increase year-on-year and well above the European average.
Ediz Eren, regional vice president for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa at Rockwell Automation, said: “Middle East manufacturers are not just experimenting with smart manufacturing technologies; they are applying them to address real operational challenges.
“From cyber resilience to environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and workforce engagement, the data shows a shift towards outcome-driven digitalisation.”
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