The Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity (WCMP) released a powerful new supplement to its annual Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, urging manufacturers across the state to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing global economy.
Titled “Seize the AI Advantage,” the report provides manufacturers with a clear and actionable roadmap to adopt AI in ways that boost productivity, address workforce shortages, and sharpen competitive edge.
“This isn’t about someday. This is about today,” said Buckley Brinkman, Executive Director and CEO of the WCMP. “AI is no longer optional. It’s the difference between thriving and becoming obsolete. Wisconsin manufacturers can lead the way.”
The report is built on four years of interviews with more than 400 manufacturing leaders and five annual regional focus groups. While previous surveys showed 72% of manufacturers had no plans for AI, the latest data reveals nearly half are now preparing to adopt the technology.
“We’re seeing real momentum,” Brinkman added. “But it’s not fast enough. The rest of the world isn’t waiting and neither should we.”
The report outlines three clear actions manufacturers can take immediately:
- Empower an Internal AI Champion – Someone curious, credible, and action-oriented.
- Start Small with Quick Wins – Use AI for tasks like customer email triage, HR chatbots, and predictive maintenance.
- Think Long-Term, Act Now – Balance short-term experiments with a long-term roadmap for integration.
The supplement also highlights the growing network of support for AI adoption in Wisconsin, including partnerships with Microsoft’s AI Co-Innovation Lab for Manufacturing, UW-Stout’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and AI (CAM-AI), and the state’s technical colleges. “Wisconsin has the talent, the tools, and the grit to lead the nation in AI adoption,” said Brinkman. “But we must act fast, act smart, and act together.”
The WCMP encourages manufacturers, educators, and policymakers to download the new report and join the conversation at the upcoming Wisconsin Manufacturing Report Readout Events:
- Brookfield – September 29
- Green Bay – September 30
- Menomonie – October 7
Learn more and register at: www.wicmp.org/2025-wisconsin-manufacturing-report-events