A. O. Smith AI Adoption Tracker
Last updated: September 18, 2026
Overview
A. O. Smith Corporation has positioned itself as a leader in water heating technology transformation through strategic AI investments and digital innovation initiatives[1]. The company hired Chris Howe as Chief Digital Information Officer in October 2025, signaling a significant commitment to AI and digital transformation[2]. Howe, who co-founded Rise and Shift, a cloud transformation and Generative AI consulting firm, brings extensive experience in AI solutions and cloud-native digital manufacturing[3]. A. O. Smith's AI strategy focuses on smart water heating products with connectivity features like the iCOMM platform, which enables remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization[4][5]. The company's approach combines traditional water heating expertise with modern AI capabilities to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
- [1] A. O. Smith Hires Chris Howe as New Chief Digital Information Officer
- [2] A. O. Smith hires Chris Howe as new chief digital information officer
- [3] A.O. Smith AI-Link's under-cupboard hot and cold ready-to-drink water purifier
- [4] A. O. Smith water-heater connectivity platform
- [5] Behind the Wall: Where smart plumbing gets smarter
AI Maturity Index
Radar Comparison
Peer Comparison: A. O. Smith vs industrials
Based on 79 companies in sector
| Dimension | A. O. Smith | Sector Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 3.0 | 3.4 | -0.4 |
| Proficiency | 3.0 | 3.1 | -0.1 |
| Impact | 2.0 | 3.4 | -1.4 |
| Overall | 2.6 | 3.3 | -0.7 |
AI Hiring Signals
A. O. Smith Job Postings Analysis
Tech vs Non-Tech AI Requirements
Non-tech AI adoption exceeds tech roles - strong org-wide AI fluency signal
Top Departments by AI Mention Rate
Analysis
A. O. Smith shows limited AI hiring emphasis with only 3.5% of job postings mentioning AI. Notably, AI requirements are concentrated in non-technical roles (5.4%) while technical roles show no AI mentions, suggesting operational focus over technical AI development.
View Sample Job Postings (5 sources)
Key Metrics
AI Initiatives
Chief Digital Information Officer Appointment
October 3, 2025
Hiring Chris Howe as CDIO to lead organization-wide digital transformation and AI initiatives
Role encompasses traditional CIO responsibilities while emphasizing development of new digital strategies. Howe will lead digital transformation initiatives, drive AI and emerging technology adoption, implement advanced data analytics, and foster digital culture across the company.
DERMS Integration for Smart Water Heaters
May 2, 2025
Integration of smart water heaters into Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems
Utility companies and energy service providers are leveraging A. O. Smith's smart water heater connectivity for time-of-use scheduling, demand response, and remote diagnostics to support grid stability and energy management.
AI-Link Smart Home Integration
December 11, 2023
AI-powered IoT system for water purification and smart home connectivity
Under-cupboard hot and cold ready-to-drink water purifier connected to self-developed AI-Link IoT system. Provides intelligent control, real-time water quality monitoring, and integration with smart home ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. O. Smith focuses on digital transformation and AI adoption through smart water heating products, connectivity platforms, and data analytics to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Chris Howe, appointed as Chief Digital Information Officer in October 2025, leads the company's AI and digital transformation efforts.
A. O. Smith's smart water heaters include remote monitoring, leak detection, energy optimization, demand response integration, and mobile app control through the iCOMM platform.
The company applies AI for predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and digital manufacturing solutions, leveraging expertise from leadership with cloud-native manufacturing experience.
iCOMM is A. O. Smith's connectivity platform that enables remote monitoring, control, and optimization of smart water heaters through mobile apps and utility grid integration.
In Application
| Application | Vendor | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| iCOMM Platform | A. O. Smith (proprietary) | Remote water heater monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy optimization |
| AI-Link IoT System | A. O. Smith (proprietary) | Smart water purification and home automation integration |
| Generative AI Platform | Rise and Shift (widget-based) | Compliance burden reduction and time-to-market acceleration |
Sources
A. O. Smith Hires Chris Howe as New Chief Digital Information Officer
A. O. Smith hires Chris Howe as new chief digital information officer
A.O. Smith AI-Link's under-cupboard hot and cold ready-to-drink water purifier
A. O. Smith water-heater connectivity platform
Behind the Wall: Where smart plumbing gets smarter
A.O. Smith iCOMM™ App - The Hardware Connection
Related Companies
About AI Tracker
AI Tracker is a research project by Larridin, the AI execution intelligence platform.
Methodology: We analyze earnings calls, press releases, partnership announcements, and product documentation. All assessments are based solely on publicly available information—no private customer data is used.
Maturity Scoring: Each dimension is rated on a 4-tier scale (Nascent → Emerging → Scaling → Leading) based on evidence from public sources. Industry averages are computed as the median across all tracked companies in the sector.