AI emerges as key margin lever in 2026: TCS study

GLOBAL MANUFACTURERS ARE accelerating their shift toward AI-driven operations, with a large majority expecting artificial intelligence to playa central role in both profitability and decision-making over the next three years, according to the Future-Ready Manufacturing Study 2025 released by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

- URVI MALVANIA

The report finds that global manufacturers are rapidly advancing toward intelligence-driven operations and higher levels of autonomy in manufacturing processes, even as foundational readiness gaps persist. While 75% of respondents expect AI to be among the top three contributors to operating margins by 2026, only 21% say they are fully Already, indicating significant work ahead on data, integration and systems.