Rockwell Automation found a majority of manufacturers in the life sciences sector are employing smart production technologies as part of digital transformations, but most struggle to derive meaningful insights from the data collected.

Research involving 104 executives and managers at life sciences businesses found 58% of companies are already using smart manufacturing technologies to some degree in their operations.

Rockwell Automation indicated the potential for growth is high, with 90% recognising the importance of digital transformation.

But it noted businesses are keen to ensure there are tangible outcomes to technology investments. Most believe AI and machine learning will deliver the greatest benefits, with 46% selecting the option.

The research showed a disconnect between the pace of AI adoption and the readiness of the data available.

Rockwell Automation found 32% believe they are generating meaningful insights from more than half the data collected, indicating significant room for improvement at a time when many companies stated they already use AI or plan to do so within the next 12 months.

Digitalisation moves are also being fuelled by a growing number of cyberattacks. Rockwell Automation found 54% of life sciences companies had been targeted in the past year due, in part, to remote access and connected equipment vulnerabilities.

Matt Weaver, VP of global industry, life sciences, said figures showing companies are willing to invest in smart technologies to improve quality, digitise operations and lower risk show the sector has moved on from the days when regulatory compliance was “something they ramped” for.

“The companies connecting their data, securing systems and validating AI deployments today are the ones that will be ready for what comes next from regulators or from the market.”

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