Fluke Survey Reveals 79% of Manufacturers Will Leverage AI to Tackle High-Skilled Labour Shortage
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Implementation of AI set to augment and democratize high-skilled work amid persistent skills shortage

Everett, Washington, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluke Reliability today announced the results of a recent survey which shows that 79% of respondents emphasized high-skill labour shortages as a primary focus for AI investment, in contrast to just 37% who view AI as a means to address gaps in low-skill roles. Manufacturers are seeking to move beyond automating low-skill routine tasks and are now applying AI and automation to high-skill roles in response to the ongoing skills shortage. The latest survey results reveal a strategic shift: instead of replacing humans with robots; industrial organizations are leveraging AI-driven technology to augment high-skill work, democratizing intelligence across the workforce and addressing critical talent gaps.

The research, conducted by Censuswide, surveyed over 600 senior decision-makers and maintenance professionals in the U.S., the UK, and Germany. The findings reveal that 90% of respondents report that the skills shortage has impacted their organization—almost one-third citing a significant effect—and manufacturers are turning to AI as a critical enabler of efficiency and productivity.

An overwhelming 98% of respondents consider AI a viable solution to the skills shortage, with 36% stating their primary motivation for implementing AI is to compensate for the skilled labour shortage.

AI is anticipated to play a crucial role in transforming manufacturers from a state of workforce deficiency to enhanced efficiency. Nearly one in four (21%) of respondents believe AI and real-time data analytics will enable them to bridge the skills gap and reduce workloads – freeing workers to be more productive and tackle more complex value-added tasks.

Uniquely, this agreement translates to the plant floor, where 40% of maintenance managers believe AI will drive a positive transformation in terms of efficiency. This includes increasing investment in innovative technologies (30%) to address productivity gaps, complement worker capabilities, and enhance overall efficiency.

Aaron Merkin, Chief Technology Officer, Fluke Reliability, said: “The shift our research shows is not so surprising. While moving beyond routine and low-skill automation has been on the cards for some time, only now has technology reached a level that allows broader adoption within industrial organizations. The evolution we are now observing, sees AI going beyond basic automation, elevating the worker experience and transforming operations for our customers.”