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Smarter, Faster, Safer: The AI Revolution
in Physical Operations

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Tap into actionable insights from operations leaders around the globe.

Executive summary

AI is transforming operations. See how your peers 
are using the technology.

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THE STATE OF AI TODAY

Organizations are reaping the benefits of AI, and most say they are just getting started.

Adoption of AI is accelerating. 51% use AI now, and 93% predict they will by 2026.

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Global AI Maturity

32.3%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

38%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

33.7%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

50%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

23.6%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

26.7%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

16.9%

Widespread – AI is used across departments and employees are trained on how to use it

Limited – a few departments and/or employees are currently using it

Piloting – we are testing out a few specific use cases with a small group of employees

Preliminary – we have not yet begun using our AI solutions

Most organizations are in an early AI maturity phase.

68% report that their organization is currently using AI in a limited, preliminary, or piloting capacity.

Mexico and North America are leading the way.

50% of leaders in Mexico say AI use is “widespread” across their organization. Organizations in the U.S. (38%) and Canada (34%) are not far behind in AI maturity.

European organizations are ramping up investments.

80% of European leaders plan to increase AI investments in the next year.

AI USE CASES AND BENEFITS

AI’s use cases within physical operations are expanding—and early adopters report widespread benefits.

From improved safety to operational efficiency, leaders are unlocking positive ROI with AI.

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AI use cases are vast.

The top use cases are customer and community support optimization, predictive maintenance, and safety and security, as well as driver assistance systems such as dash cams.


The benefits are clear.

From improved safety to employee productivity and competitive differentiation, leaders reported diverse benefits from their varied uses of AI.


Even those early in their AI journey report positive ROI.

Of the organizations that are already using AI—regardless of where they are in their implementation journey—100% report at least one benefit from their investment in AI.


TOP AI USE CASES AND BENEFITS
52%Customer and community support
51%Predictive maintenance
49%Safety and security
49%Driver assistance systems

45%Safety
45%Data & analytics
43%Operational efficiency
42%Employee productivity

EMPLOYEE BUY-IN ON AI

90% of employees feel positive about AI—reflecting how it’s enhancing workers’ day-to-day lives.

Leaders around the world report strong buy-in on AI from their employees.

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Global employee perceptions of AI
41%
Very positive
50%
Somewhat positive
7%
Neutral
2%
Somewhat negative
1%
Very negative

46%
Very positive
45%
Somewhat positive
6%
Neutral
3%
Somewhat negative
0%
Very negative

45%
Very positive
50%
Somewhat positive
3%
Neutral
1%
Somewhat negative
1%
Very negative

47%
Very positive
46%
Somewhat positive
5%
Neutral
1%
Somewhat negative
2%
Very negative

56%
Very positive
32%
Somewhat positive
7%
Neutral
3%
Somewhat negative
1%
Very negative

27%
Very positive
53%
Somewhat positive
16%
Neutral
3%
Somewhat negative
1%
Very negative

28%
Very positive
61%
Somewhat positive
9%
Neutral
1%
Somewhat negative
1%
Very negative

Positive employee perception is ubiquitous.

In all countries surveyed, the vast majority of leaders say their employees feel positive about using AI technology.

Employees in three countries lead the way.

The U.S. (95%), France (92%), and Canada (91%) reported the highest employee sentiment.

Why? AI is directly benefiting employees.

Top-reported benefits of AI include safety and productivity, indicating how AI technology is positively impacting workers’ day-to-day lives.

What do industry leaders have to say about AI?

Headshot of Evan Welbourne with Samsara logo, Head of AI and Data, Samsara.Background Frame Pattern Blue Circles

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heHadshot of Warrick Nance with ConGlobal logo, VP of Safety, Training & Operations Excellence, ConGlobalBackground Frame Pattern Blue Circles

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Headshot of Joe Morales with Messer Americas logo, Distribution Systems Manager, Messer Americas.Background Frame Pattern Blue Circles

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Headshot of Kevin J. Thomas with Sysco logo, Vice President, Global Environmental, Health, Safety, Sysco.Background Frame Pattern Blue Circles

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Headshot of Julio Encinas with Mexicana Logistics logo, Director of Strategic Development and Engineering, Mexicana LogisticsBackground Frame Pattern Blue Circles

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Headshot of Olivia Fagan with Fagan & Whalley logo, Compliance Officer, Fagan & Whalley.Background Frame Pattern Blue Circles

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Download the full report to access more data insights—and unlock actionable takeaways to keep your organization ahead of the curve.

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The State of Connected Operations Report: Smarter, Faster, Safer” with two workers and AI technology overlay