February 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal month for smart manufacturing AI adoption, with Emerson leading the charge through significant updates to their NI Nigel AI platform. As the industry’s first AI technology specifically optimized for test applications, the latest Nigel AI release introduces code completion and contextual awareness within the expanded LabVIEW+ Suite capabilities. This isn’t just another software update – it represents a fundamental shift toward AI-native test and measurement workflows that could dramatically reduce development time for automation engineers.
The SMM Reality Check: Are You Ready for AI?
While enterprise manufacturers rush toward AI implementation, small and medium manufacturers (SMMs) are getting a much-needed dose of reality. The latest AI readiness checklist for SMMs emphasizes that your data environment needs to be a “clean engine” before investing in prescriptive AI platforms. This resonates with what I’ve seen in the field – too many plants are trying to build AI solutions on foundations of inconsistent data collection and unreliable connectivity. The checklist approach is refreshingly practical, focusing on data quality fundamentals rather than flashy AI promises.
What’s particularly interesting is how this connects to the broader conversation about smart manufacturing AI deployment. You can’t have intelligent systems without intelligent data, and SMMs are finally getting the guidance they need to assess their readiness honestly.
IoT Powers Remote Operations Revolution
The transformation of remote operations through IoT-powered decision making is moving from concept to reality. The shift from “blind” operations relying on intuition to sensor-guided insights represents exactly what Industry 4.0 promised – and what Industry 5.0 is delivering. This IoT evolution is particularly crucial as manufacturers expand their operational footprints and deal with increasingly distributed assets.
Supporting this trend, AutomationDirect’s expansion of their Productivity PLC I/O module lineup with solid-state relay options shows how hardware manufacturers are adapting to support more sophisticated, connected operations. The P1-04TEPS and P2-08TEPS modules offer the reliability and speed necessary for IoT-driven manufacturing processes that demand rapid, precise responses.
Even in the component space, we’re seeing AI integration with Taoglas releasing what they claim is the industry’s first AI-driven antenna recommendation engine. While this might seem like a small development, it reflects how AI is permeating every aspect of industrial technology selection and deployment.
The convergence of these developments suggests we’re hitting an inflection point where smart manufacturing AI tools are becoming accessible enough for broader adoption while remaining sophisticated enough to deliver real operational value. The question isn’t whether AI will transform manufacturing – it’s whether your organization is building the data foundation necessary to capitalize on these advances.