AI-Driven “Smart Factories” Hit the Mainstream

The 2026 textile landscape is being redefined by “Agentic AI.” Moving beyond simple automation, new AI-integrated factories are now capable of self-correcting weaving defects in real-time and optimizing energy consumption based on live grid data. These smart ecosystems allow for “on-demand” production, drastically reducing waste by only manufacturing what has already been sold. For the first time, the industry is seeing a significant “near-shoring” trend, as high-tech, localized micro-factories become more cost-effective than traditional long-distance supply chains.