Xometry 2027 outlook says manufacturers see biggest AI gains in upstream design, costing and quality control
XMTR•Xometry’s 2027 U.S. Manufacturing Outlook says manufacturers expect AI’s biggest impact in manufacturability and costing (51%), followed by quality control (47%) and factory-floor execution (32%). It also reports rising AI returns, idle capacity at smaller shops and plans by 94% of manufacturers to raise prices in 2027.
1. AI gains and returns
Manufacturers expect AI’s biggest impact in manufacturability and costing, at 51%, followed by quality control at 47% and factory-floor execution at 32%. The outlook says 57% report significant AI returns, up from 44% a year earlier, with a shift toward AI grounded in manufacturing data.
2. Capacity and pricing
Among manufacturers with less than $50 million in revenue, 44% operate below 70% capacity, compared with 16% of those with more than $100 million in revenue. The outlook says 94% plan to raise prices in 2027, while about 20% report meaningful buyer pushback.
