Enhancing Innovation and Productivity in Advanced Manufacturing SMEs through Artificial Intelligence
Advanced Manufacturing AI Toolkit
The Flinders AMAI Toolkit aims to support AI capabilities and adoption in SMEs, enhancing innovation and productivity within Advanced Manufacturing industry.
Assess your AI maturity in just 15 minutes. The Toolkit guides you step‑by‑step through the tailored Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) dimensions, giving you a clear score and actionable insights to accelerate your AI adoption journey.
Driving Innovation and Productivity with AI in Manufacturing
The Flinders Advanced Manufacturing Artificial Intelligence Toolkit (AMAI Toolkit) is an evidence-based assessment and guideline framework developed by the research team of Flinders Factory of the Future.
Created under the project “Enhancing Innovation and Productivity in Advanced Manufacturing SMEs through Artificial Intelligence” and supported by the Strategic Industry Research Program (SIRP), the toolkit reflects rigorous scientific methodology and ethical compliance (Flinders University HREC approval, Project 8297).
Designed to accelerate AI adoption in Advanced Manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises, the AMAI Toolkit provides practical strategies, a structured evaluation tool, and policy guidelines to strengthen AI capabilities, foster innovation, and improve productivity across the advanced manufacturing sector.
Why AI is critical for Advanced Manufacturing SMEs?
Despite their critical role, SMEs often lack essential resources to remain competitive and sustainable. Challenges include limited investment capacity, gaps in professional management skills, insufficient technological capabilities, and need for training and complementary resources. These factors are vital for differentiation, competitive advantage, resilience, and value creation. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to transform the future of these businesses by increasing their innovation and productivity, while boosting the Australian and regional economy (McKinsey & Company, 2024). Primarily in advanced manufacturing, through support programs, mentorships, and collaborative opportunities, AI can empower smaller enterprises to become integral components of the advanced manufacturing supply chain.
Check the most relevant key factors identified for AI adoption and capabilities, then ranked by advanced manufacturing SMEs and experts.
Source: FFF/SIRP Project “Enhancing Innovation and Productivity in Advanced Manufacturing SMEs through Artificial Intelligence”
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Leadership
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Data security and risk
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Perceived values and benefits
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External collaborations
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Organisational and strategic management
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Skills and capabilities
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Regulations and policies
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Costs and investments
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Technology integration and complexity
The Strategic Industry Research Program (SIRP)
The SIRP Program, led by Flinders Factory of the Future, focuses on advancing high-value manufacturing in Australia through research on Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies, and the human and organisational factors driving their adoption. It promotes innovation ecosystems and identifies pathways for workforce skills development. Additional priorities include smart specialisation for economic complexity, integrating net-zero and circular economy principles, and leveraging public procurement and global standards to stimulate innovation and competitiveness.
The aim of the program is to advance the FFF mission to accelerate manufacturing growth in Australia and South Australia through research projects focused on:
- Innovation, business development, and university-industry research translation.
- Education, training, and skills development.
- Policy development related to advanced manufacturing in the Australian context: for example, in relation to economic complexity, incentive structures, and business models.
The Flinders Factory of the Future
Flinders Factory of the Future collaborates with manufacturers to solve real problems and accelerate growth. By combining technology, engineering, and human factors, we deliver practical, evidence-based solutions that transform advanced manufacturing, boosting productivity, reducing costs, and strengthening global competitiveness.
Collaborative problem solving for industry:
- Human-Technology Integration
- Additive Manufacturing
- Medical Device Technology
- Industrial Design & Digital Twinning
- Energy Efficiency
- Strategic Support
- Workforce Development
Valued Partners
PLANS & POLICIES
National and South Australian Plan and Policy for Digital Transformation in Advanced Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence
The NAIC was established in 2021 to support and accelerate Australia’s AI industry. It aims to help Australia become a global leader in developing and adopting trusted, secure, and responsible artificial intelligence by supporting AI adoption for SMEs and uplifting safe and responsible AI practice.
South Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy
Manufacturing is a knowledge-intensive and value-adding capability that underpins 70 per cent of the world’s trade. Building on our strong domestic manufacturing sector is fundamental to South Australia’s continued participation in the global economy.
PUBLICATIONS
Recent Publications
External Capabilities to Support AI and Cobot Innovation for SMEs
Read our article: External Capabilities to Support AI and Cobot Innovation for SMEs presented at the 2025 ISPIM Innovation Conference: Innovation Powered by Nature, which takes place in Bergen, Norway, in June 2025.
Application of generative AI in Industry 5.0: A fictional SME
Read our article: Application of generative AI in Industry 5.0: A fictional SME case study presented at the 21st Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing (GCSM), which takes place in Bologna, Italy, in September 2025.
Artificial intelligence capabilities and adoption in small and medium enterprises
Artificial intelligence capabilities and adoption in small and medium enterprises presented at the ANZAM Conference 2025: “Alternative Truths in Management: Dare to Challenge the Status Quo.”, in December 2025.