Why leading manufacturers are investing in Language AI

What you need to know about overcoming communication barriers in manufacturing:

• Every manufacturing success story is rooted in clear and effective communication
• Language and terminology gaps affect manufacturers at every level and impact bottom-line revenue
• Language AI is fast-becoming the secure use case for manufacturers looking to gain a competitive advantage, safely
• DeepL’s white paper explores the high price of ineffective communication, the role Language AI is playing, and how best to use it across operations

Manufacturing is complex. From navigating global supply chains to ensuring regulatory compliance, manufacturers operate in an increasingly intricate and evolving environment. Yet behind every success story lies a common factor: effective communication.

Effective communication streamlines collaboration, enforces quality standards, ensures a safe operating environment, and drives productivity. Sounds straightforward, but in practice, it’s a multifaceted challenge that requires a huge amount of care and attention. 

Let’s take English as an example. Despite being the global language of business, only 20% of people worldwide speak it proficiently. Now imagine only being able to communicate effectively with 1 out of every 5 co-workers, partners, and customers. That’s the situation facing many global manufacturers today.

Ineffective communication costs time and money, and impacts reputation. Think slower problem solving, production delays, and quality control issues—among others.

Manufacturers are (re)turning to AI 

Although AI is the second most cited impact on manufacturers’ strategies in 2024, its roots in the industry go back to the 1980s, where it was (and still is) typically used to automate tasks like robotic part sorting, equipment maintenance, and inventory management.

Today, manufacturers find themselves operating in a highly competitive and dynamic environment, where every opportunity to cost-effectively optimize operations and boost productivity counts. 

AI continues to offer the technology to do this.

In 2025, smart manufacturers will continue to use AI to improve supply chain management, product design, quality control, and inspections, to name a few. The even smarter ones will use it to overcome their communication challenges—from factory floors to customer doors.

But AI adoption comes with challenges

The heightened focus on GenAI in recent times may be distracting manufacturers from the value of specialized AI in streamlining global communications. Manufacturers are right to be cautious about whether they can safely adopt AI to achieve bottom-line benefits.

In 2024, DeepL interviewed manufacturing employees and decision makers and discovered that security concerns make them less likely to use popular chatbots (36% vs. 44% of employees in other industries).

There’s also the challenge of integration. While manufacturers recognize AI's potential, they are hesitant to make costly upgrades to existing systems. Instead, they want solutions that seamlessly integrate with their current infrastructure, offering a seamless end-user experience.

Read more about practical strategies for AI adoption.

While manufacturers are right to think about these challenges, they can’t afford a wait-and-see attitude. Those who hesitate will be surpassed by competitors who gain an edge with the emerging technology that is rapidly reshaping manufacturing.

Language AI: AI you can count on 

As the demand for value-driving AI solutions grows, Language AI has emerged as one of the easiest and safest ways for manufacturers to move ahead with AI.

Language AI not only improves communication but it also boosts operational efficiency. This makes it an ideal choice for smart manufacturers that are searching for secure, strategic AI use cases. 

Here are just 3 proven Language AI use cases for manufacturing:

Clear communication inside and outside your organization

To succeed globally, manufacturers must effectively communicate their vision and objectives to all stakeholders—employees, partners, and external collaborators. Language AI provides accurate translations and better writing, eliminating language barriers across the entire supply chain.

Empower teams and partners to work in their language

Operating globally has never been easier. Manufacturers can use AI to automatically translate the interfaces of internal systems such as CRM, ERP, service portals, and customer support systems. Employees and partners can work faster with everything they need in their native language, and manufacturers can keep everyone aligned across the world.

Streamlined production with precise technical translations Technical documentation—such as manuals, specifications, procedures, and user guides—is essential for ensuring products are manufactured as intended. Language AI enables everyone across the supply chain to communicate clearly and effectively, and translate and read multilingual documentation. 

Explore the full range of use cases—download the white paper.

Your guide to effective communication in manufacturing 

Discover how AI-powered translation and communication helps global manufacturers break down language barriers, streamline operations, and drive expansion.

Read the white paper to find out:

• Why effective communication is critical—and how traditional tools fall short
• How the manufacturing industry is embracing AI—and the concerns slowing adoption
• Practical ways manufacturers can safely use AI across core use cases

Start your journey towards better communication today: download the white paper.