Manufacturing Predict 2026: Ai Agents, Digital Twins, and the Race to Autonomous Operations
Get Gartner, Manufacturing Predicts 2026: AI Agents, Digital Twins and the Race to Autonomous Operations.
In the Report

  • How AI agents are evolving from decision support to coordinated execution
  • How closed-loop digital twins move from simulation to operational orchestration
  • What software-defined products mean for faster feature and variant releases
  • How PLM-based digital threads improve lab-to-plant transitions in process manufacturing
  • What’s behind rising IT costs and licensing shifts — and how to respond

Gartner
Gartner is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Gartner, Manufacturing Predicts 2026: AI Agents, Digital Twins and the Race to Autonomous Operations, By Alexander Hoeppe, Jonathan Davenport et al, 10 December 2025. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
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