Charting Tomorrow: Life Sciences Manufacturers Confronting New Headwinds
Rockwell Automation, specializing in industrial innovation, recently published its 10th yearly State of Smart Manufacturing Report. The results for the life sciences market are particularly enlightening.
This exhaustive study, based on the opinions of 143 industry participants across 15 countries, confirms that manufacturers are truly "entering a new phase of digital maturity," according to Matt Weaver, Rockwell Automation’s vice president of global industry – life sciences.
Shifting Sands: New Challenges
The challenges facing life sciences businesses are evolving.
While labor shortages ranked highest in the 2024 report, they have now slipped to fourth place.
This year, emerging competition is led by economic growth and inflation as the number one external block for 2025, followed by supply chain disruptions in second place.
Cyber threats have jumped from fifth place in 2024 to third, showing heightened sensitivity to digital vulnerabilities.
AI: A Strategic Imperative for Resilience
Among these evolving risks, one technology is becoming a critical ally: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Matt Weaver states, "This year's report makes it clear that AI is becoming indispensable to modern life sciences manufacturing — not just to optimize efficiency, but to strengthen product quality, secure critical infrastructure, and upskill the workforce."
Manufacturers are increasingly applying AI and machine learning for cybersecurity—shifting perception from efficiency tools to cornerstones of digital risk management.
48% of participants plan to use AI or machine learning for cybersecurity in the next 12 months.
29% see cybersecurity risk as the most crucial external factor restricting growth in 2025.
Beyond Security: AI's Broader Impact
AI and machine learning applications extend far beyond cybersecurity.
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Quality control leads at 53% usage
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Process optimization follows at 50%
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Robotics at 45%
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Supply chain management at 42%
These tools help prevent errors, reduce costly downtime, cut operating costs, mitigate risks, and boost efficiency.
However, a key challenge remains: effectively using the vast amounts of gathered data.
Only 46% of respondents feel they are fully utilizing their data’s potential.
This signals a major development area as the sector advances its digital transformation.