This one shouldn’t surprise anyone. Hitachi Vantara commissioned a study by 451 Research to determine if there is a skills shortage that could inhibit industrial digital transformation.
Competing priorities and skills shortages in IoT, AI/ML data science and robotics undermine potential progress in IT/OT convergence and security.
Research found a lack of digital skills is jeopardizing industries’ digital transformation initiatives. The report “Industry 4.0: Maturity of Adoption and Its Impact on Sustainability and ESG”1 surveyed more than 600 IT and OT leaders engaged in Industry 4.0 initiatives across the manufacturing, transportation, and energy and utilities sectors.
- While 100% of companies surveyed are engaging in or planning digital transformation projects for their operations or supply chains, more than half of companies said they lacked sufficient skills in key areas.
- The most critical gaps cited are in data science (42%) defined as artificial intelligence, machine learning and analytics; IoT deployment and development (48%), or robotics deployment and operations (60%).
- Given the technology skills gap, at least 37% of respondents indicated that they had no plans to implement IoT-led initiatives.
- Once viewed as a potential barrier to Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives, IT/OT convergence is happening with 95% of respondents saying the two departments collaborate adequately or better for IoT projects.
