Rockwell Automation has published research on AI adoption in the food and beverage manufacturing sector, highlighting a gap between uptake and the effective use of data.

Its 2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report found that nearly 90% of food and beverage manufacturers already use artificial intelligence and machine learning or plan to do so soon. Yet respondents said they effectively use only about 45% of the data they collect.

That mismatch is emerging as a central obstacle for manufacturers trying to move AI projects beyond trial phases into broader use across plants and business functions. The report says companies need stronger links between operational technology and business systems, wider access to data, and more preparation for changes in how staff work.

Manufacturers are also tying AI projects more closely to specific business goals, including improving quality, increasing productivity, reducing costs and lowering operational risk.

Greg Schmidt, Vice President, CPG Global Industry, Rockwell Automation, said the conversation in the sector has shifted from whether AI is useful to how companies can extend early gains across the wider business.

"Many manufacturers have moved beyond asking whether AI can deliver value," said Greg Schmidt, Vice President, CPG Global Industry, Rockwell Automation.

"The focus now is on how to scale successful pilots across the enterprise. That requires more than new technology. It requires connected data, integrated operations and a clear link between AI initiatives and business outcomes," Schmidt said.

The report suggests the main constraint is not enthusiasm for AI, but the condition of the data environment around it.

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