Fluke Reliability has unveiled the results of a recent survey that sheds light on the evolving role of AI in addressing the ongoing skills shortage within the manufacturing industry. According to the survey, 79% of respondents are focusing AI investments on high-skill labor shortages, whereas just 37% view AI as a tool to address gaps in low-skill roles. This shift signals a move beyond automating basic tasks toward using AI to augment high-skill work, democratizing intelligence across the workforce.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide with over 600 senior decision-makers and maintenance professionals across the U.S., UK, and Germany, shows that the skills shortage is having a significant impact on manufacturing operations. 90% of respondents report that the skills shortage has affected their organizations, with one-third citing a substantial impact.
Key Survey Insights
- AI as a Solution for High-Skill Roles:
Respondents overwhelmingly view AI as a critical enabler to bridge high-skill labor gaps, with 36% stating that their primary motivation for implementing AI is to compensate for skilled labor shortages. AI is increasingly seen as a tool to empower workers, not replace them. - AI’s Role in Improving Efficiency:
Almost one in four (21%) believe AI, combined with real-time data analytics, will help reduce workloads and improve productivity. On the plant floor, 40% of maintenance managers believe AI will enhance operational efficiency, with 30% increasing investment in innovative technologies to complement worker capabilities. - Diversity and Talent Shortages:
37% of manufacturers also acknowledge that talent shortages are partly due to a lack of diversity. Strategies to address this include improving the employer brand (34%) and implementing training programs (33%) to upskill existing workers and enable them to work with AI technologies.
AI-Driven Transformation in Manufacturing
Aaron Merkin, Chief Technology Officer at Fluke Reliability, commented on the research findings, noting that the adoption of AI to augment high-skill roles is now possible due to technological advancements. For example, AI-powered tools like Azima DLI in vibration analysis now enable prescriptive fault predictions that would have previously required highly skilled analysts, accelerating decision-making and improving operational efficiency.
Jason Waxman, President of Fluke Corporation, emphasized that AI is not merely a tool for replacing labor but a strategic asset for augmenting human expertise. By aligning human and machine intelligence, AI is transforming manufacturing operations, fostering adaptability, and building a more resilient, future-ready workforce.
