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 progressively expanded the use of AI and machine learning since at least 2018, evolving from initial 'see and spray' real-time weed detection technology to fully autonomous tractors and integrated farm ecosystems by 2025.
General Electric (GE) has progressively embedded AI across its industrial, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing operations from 2016 through 2025, evolving from strategic ambitions to broad practical applications including predictive maintenance, generative AI platforms for employees, and AI-driven sustainability solutions.
3M has progressively expanded its AI adoption from predictive healthcare and supply chain analytics in 2018 to advanced AI and generative AI applications powering innovation across manufacturing, medical documentation, and data center technologies by 2025.
Honeywell has progressively expanded its AI capabilities across aerospace, industrial, retail, healthcare, and building management sectors from late 2023 through 2025, integrating AI-driven platforms and solutions impacting over 95,000 employees and commanding significant industry collaborations.
Caterpillar has progressively integrated AI technology since 2018, evolving from machine learning applications in logistics and asset intelligence to deploying AI-driven autonomous equipment and predictive maintenance, with notable partnerships such as OSIsoft integration and alliances in the aggregates industry.
Emerson Electric has progressively integrated advanced AI technologies, including generative AI (GenAI) and machine learning, into its industrial automation and control platforms from 2023 through 2025, with products like the Ovation 4.0 Automation Platform and Virtual Advisor improving operational efficiency and decision-making in power and water industries.
Parker Hannifin has steadily increased its AI adoption and integration from 2022 through 2025, focusing on AI-enabled connected services, predictive maintenance, and process optimization, with key partnerships such as Camgian and Delvitech.
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has moderately integrated AI primarily in predictive maintenance and manufacturing decision intelligence, with continued focus on leveraging AI to maintain operational efficiency amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Eaton has demonstrated a strong and increasing focus on AI-driven infrastructure, particularly through strategic partnerships (notably with Traxen and NVIDIA) and launching advanced power solutions for data centers, emphasizing edge computing and AI inference workloads.
Rockwell Automation has progressively integrated AI technologies from 2019 through 2025, evolving from anomaly detection (FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI) to expansive generative AI solutions and AI-enhanced robotics in partnership with Microsoft and Nvidia.
54 Use Cases in Industrial
| Company | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Emerson Electric | Asset Management Emerson employs AI-driven virtual advisors and explainable AI models to support lifecycle asset management, enabling rapid evaluation and enhancement of asset performance, thereby improving reliability and extending infrastructure lifespan. agentic |
| General Electric | Agentic Healthcare GE HealthCare's AI Innovation Lab develops agentic AI projects like the Health Companion that autonomously plan and execute healthcare tasks, improving diagnosis and patient interaction. agentic |
| 3M | Data Center Efficiency 3M develops advanced physical and material solutions for data center infrastructure to support faster, more energy-efficient AI operations and higher reliability. traditional |
| Eaton | Demand Spike Detection Eaton deploys edge-based solutions to detect sudden energy demand spikes caused by AI computing infrastructure, helping prevent overheating, equipment damage, and costly outages in data centers. traditional |
| Illinois Tool Works | Decision Intelligence ITW integrates decentralized AI agents within manufacturing to improve production planning, optimize operations, and facilitate customer-driven innovation through federated AI systems. agentic |
| Honeywell | Predictive Maintenance AI platforms by Honeywell analyze building systems data in real time to predict failures and optimize energy consumption, deploying machine learning models to reduce downtime and energy expenses in building management systems. traditional |
| Emerson Electric | Operational Optimization Emerson uses AI to provide real-time operational insights and guidance through products like the Ovation AI-enabled Virtual Advisor, helping plant operators optimize performance, detect anomalies early, and forecast maintenance needs to improve efficiency and reduce downtime. agentic |
| Rockwell Automation | Workforce Augmentation AI is used to address labor shortages and skills gaps by automating routine tasks and augmenting workforce capabilities, improving productivity in manufacturing plants. traditional |
| Deere & Co. | Precision Spraying John Deere uses AI-driven computer vision and machine learning to identify weeds in real-time and apply herbicides precisely only where needed, reducing chemical waste and environmental impact. traditional |
| Rockwell Automation | Quality Inspection AI and machine learning-driven vision inspection technologies improve manufacturing quality and yield by identifying defects with high accuracy and reducing waste. traditional |