Following her visit to Siemens Transform 2026, Lisa Riley, Director of The Manufacturing Institute, shares her reflections on AI adoption and the relationship between technology, leadership and organisational purpose in shaping the future of manufacturing:

The future may be powered by machines, but it will always be shaped by people.

I’m still processing everything we experienced at the epic Siemens Transform event, because I think there’s an interesting paradox at the heart of it all. An event focused on AI adoption, digitalisation, machines, data and artificial intelligence exists so more than 3,000 people can come together to learn, share, debate and imagine a better future.

As part of The Manufacturing Institute, I also reflected on Shingo, and the event brought to mind the three insights that underpin the Shingo Model:

• Ideal results require ideal behaviours
• Purpose and systems drive behaviour
• Principles inform ideal behaviours

If we accept these insights, then productivity challenges, slow adoption of technology, or struggles to innovate are not people problems. They are system problems and the outcomes we experience today are essentially designed by the systems we have created. This is where I believe many conversations about AI miss the point. Technology is not the purpose, AI is not the purpose, digitalisation is not the purpose, these are tools. The purpose for businesses remains uniquely human.

It is a fact that machines can process information faster than we ever could. They can identify patterns, automate decisions and generate insights at incredible speed but they cannot decide why those insights matter. They cannot create meaning and they cannot define the future we want to build, and the more advanced our technology becomes, the more important human-centred organisational purpose becomes.

When people understand the purpose behind change, technology becomes an enabler rather than a threat. When organisations have clear principles, AI can amplify human capability rather than replace it, and when leaders create systems that encourage learning, curiosity and innovation, technology adoption accelerates naturally. Perhaps that’s the real lesson from Transform 2026.

The technology is advancing rapidly, but many manufacturers aren’t asking “what is AI?” anymore. They’re asking, “where do I start?”, “what should I prioritise?”, “who can I trust?” and “how do I avoid getting this wrong?”

On the panel, what I experienced was that people still need guidance to build confidence. They need experienced partners to help them make sense of the options and translate technology into practical business outcomes. That’s where Transform was golden, thinking about it, maybe it wasn’t a technology exhibition but a confidence-building exercise for industry!

Interestingly, the conversations weren’t solely about AI adoption because the fundamentals kept surfacing. Skills gaps remain a major challenge, whether that’s structured problem solving, root cause analysis, continuous improvement, leadership capability or managing and developing an increasingly multi-generational workforce.

This creates another paradox. While we’re talking about artificial intelligence, many organisations have yet to fully embed the very human capabilities required to make technology successful.

• AI can help solve problems, but people still need to know how to define the problem.
• AI can provide insights, but leaders still need the judgement and communication skills to act on them.
• AI can accelerate improvement, but it cannot replace the trust, coaching and culture that enable people to embrace change.

If manufacturers are struggling to adopt new technologies, the answer is not simply more technology. It’s better systems, stronger leadership and a clearer purpose, then technology becomes an accelerator rather than the solution itself.

“Our conversations reinforced just how much real need and opportunity exists when industry, skills and technology come together. I’m looking forward to building on the connections made and exploring how we can collaborate further in the lead up to the next Transform event, broadening the reach of the Skills Ecosystem and supporting greater participation of women in engineering and manufacturing. There are some fantastic role models and success stories to draw upon, and I believe we have a real opportunity to inspire the next generation while showcasing what is possible.”

– Gert Rohrmann MSc MIET, Training and Development Manager, Siemens Plc.

The organisations that will win will be those that combine technological capability with human-centred leadership, disciplined problem solving and a culture where people have the confidence to learn, adapt and improve. The real challenge is not simply adopting technology faster, but creating the conditions for people to embrace change.

If there was one takeaway from Transform 2026, it’s that manufacturers aren’t looking for more noise around AI adoption. They’re looking for clarity, confidence and practical next steps.

That’s a conversation we’re having every day through our AI Excellence in Manufacturing programme, where we help organisations understand where AI can create genuine value and how to begin their journey with purpose and confidence. View our upcoming courses by clicking here!