Packaging machinery manufacturers and AI vendors are converging on a clearer roadmap for how companies can successfully adopt artificial intelligence.
According to PMMI’s Building an AI Advantage In Packaging Equipment report, analysts have identified five key steps that consistently define effective AI implementation. While approaches vary by company size and sector, the findings underscore that success depends less on the technology itself and more on preparation, alignment, and change management.
- Identify business or product challenges. Defining the challenge instead of adopting technology for incremental improvements ensures AI solutions deliver measurable impact.
- 2. companies should engage with AI integrators or domain experts to help align technology options with business needs. Additionally, companies should consider where their AI tools will be sourced—in-house, from a third-party, or a combination of both options.
- 3. Before AI integration, companies should also assess their system readiness. The Business Intelligence team says evaluating infrastructure, connectivity, and workforce capabilities can ensure compatibility with AI requirements.
- 4. A successful rollout will include structured change management plans, training programs, and communication strategies to prepare teams for new workflows and tools.
- 5. Long-term success will depend on strong partnerships between CPGs, OEMs, and AI vendors. Data sharing and alignment on objectives are critical to overcoming conflicting interests and maximizing value.
“Hidden costs often lie in data preparation and organizational change management to build trust in AI-generated recommendations,” a global product line manager at a global industrial technology and automation company said. “Organizations underestimate the change management investment needed to shift from reactive troubleshooting to proactive optimization. It is essential to allocate resources for stakeholder engagement early.”
SOURCE: 2026 Building An AI Advantage in Packaging Equipment
For more insights from PMMI’s Business Intelligence team, find reports, including Building An AI Advantage In Packaging Equipment, Trends and Challenges in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Automation in Food and Beverage Equipment Sanitation at https://www.pmmi.org/business-intelligence.
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