Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Companies
We analyzed the enterprise AI use cases of 10 industrial companies to understand trends, impact, and insights.
Industrial companies' adoption of AI
Overview
John Deere has steadily advanced AI integration from early machine learning applications like 'See and Spray' weed detection in 2018 to fully autonomous tractors and AI-powered precision agriculture by 2025, led notably by CTO Jahmy Hindman.
General Electric has steadily integrated AI across its industrial, healthcare, energy, and aerospace divisions since 2016, evolving from foundational research to enterprise-wide AI-powered solutions, generating significant operational efficiencies and sustainability gains.
Since 2018, 3M has steadily integrated AI and machine learning across multiple domains including healthcare, manufacturing, sales, and data center infrastructure, with significant expansion between 2023 and 2025.
Honeywell has rapidly expanded its AI initiatives from late 2023 through 2025, progressively integrating AI solutions across aerospace, industrial automation, energy, and manufacturing sectors, reaching deployment at scale with 95,000 employees using AI-powered tools by Q3 2024 and over 16 generative AI use cases in production by early 2025.
Caterpillar has steadily integrated AI technologies from at least 2018, advancing from data analytics for operational efficiency (notably via the Asset Intelligence Platform) to a strong focus on AI-driven infrastructure supporting AI data centers by 2025, including doubling large-engine plant capacities with over 2,000 employees.
Emerson Electric has progressively integrated advanced AI technologies including generative AI and machine learning into their industrial automation and control platforms from 2023 through 2025, notably with product launches such as the Ovation 4.0 Automation Platform and Guardian Virtual Advisor.
Parker-Hannifin has progressively integrated AI technologies from 2022 through 2025, focusing on IoT partnerships, predictive analytics for supply chain and demand forecasting, and AI-enabled manufacturing enhancements such as advanced inspection with Delvitech, improving operational efficiency.
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has steadily integrated AI technologies primarily in manufacturing and maintenance processes, notably using AI for predictive maintenance to optimize equipment uptime and reliability, as highlighted in 2024.
Eaton has significantly expanded its role as a critical infrastructure provider for AI data centers and edge computing from 2023 through 2025, with innovations in power management, modular data centers, and AI load spike detection.
Rockwell Automation has demonstrated a clear and accelerating adoption of AI technologies from 2019 through 2025, evolving from anomaly detection in production (FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI) to advanced generative AI and autonomous operations integration with partners like Microsoft and NVIDIA.
52 Use Cases in Industrial
| Company | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Rockwell Automation | Industrial insights Edge-based generative AI models deliver instant industrial insights and control at the edge to optimize operations in oil & gas and other sectors, enabling faster decision-making and improved productivity. generative |
| 3M | AI Infrastructure Solutions 3M develops advanced materials and components to enhance energy efficiency, speed, and reliability for data centers supporting AI workloads. traditional |
| Eaton | Power Quality Detection Eaton developed edge-based analytics firmware for its Power Xpert (PXQ) system to detect AI workload-induced power bursts and subsynchronous oscillations, proactively protecting data centers and grid infrastructure from equipment damage and outages. traditional |
| Illinois Tool Works | Decentralized AI Integration Illinois Tool Works utilizes decentralized AI systems combining federated learning and customer-driven innovation to optimize manufacturing processes across diverse segments. agentic |
| Parker Hannifin | Supply Chain Forecasting Using AI forecasting and predictive analytics, Parker-Hannifin enhances supply chain agility and security, enabling better responsiveness to market demand fluctuations and reducing operational risks. traditional |
| Honeywell | Energy Optimization Honeywell's AI platforms optimize energy consumption in buildings by integrating systems like HVAC, lighting, and security, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing operational costs and environmental impact. traditional |
| Eaton | AI Load Spike Management By collaborating with NVIDIA, Eaton offers solutions to detect and mitigate AI power spikes in data centers, helping maintain energy supply stability and optimizing infrastructure for GPU-intensive AI loads. traditional |
| Emerson Electric | Decision Support Generative AI advisors embedded in Emerson's automation platforms provide plant operators with natural language insights and actionable recommendations to improve real-time decision-making and operational awareness. generative |
| Emerson Electric | Predictive Maintenance Emerson's AI-powered virtual advisors analyze real-time operational data to predict equipment anomalies and maintenance needs, helping operators prevent downtime and extend asset lifecycle in power and water industries. generative |
| Rockwell Automation | Workforce augmentation Rockwell uses AI automation and analytics to address workforce challenges such as skills gaps and labor shortages by augmenting human capabilities and optimizing task assignments. traditional |