3M Unveils 'Ask 3M' AI to Revolutionize Industrial Technical Support

ST. PAUL, Minn. – June 22, 2026 – Global science company 3M today announced the launch of Ask 3M, a new AI-powered digital assistant designed to provide industrial customers with direct, self-service access to the company's deep well of technical expertise. The new tool, now live at ask.3m.com, empowers engineers, production managers, and designers to evaluate 3M materials, compare product options, and solve complex application challenges with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

Initially focused on the company's extensive portfolio of industrial adhesives and tapes, Ask 3M represents a significant step in the digitalization of customer support within the manufacturing and industrial sectors. It aims to transform the often-protracted process of technical inquiry into a dynamic, real-time conversation.

"Our customers rely on 3M for deep application expertise and collaborative problem-solving across a wide range of industries," said Chris Goralski, Group President of 3M's Safety and Industrial Business Group. "Ask 3M extends that expertise in a new way, giving customers faster, more direct access to the information they need to evaluate options and make decisions."

A New Era of Industrial Problem-Solving

For decades, finding the perfect industrial material for a specific job has involved detailed technical data sheets, lengthy phone calls, and often, on-site consultations. Ask 3M is engineered to collapse that timeline from days or weeks into minutes. Using a familiar conversational AI interface, customers can ask complex questions in plain language and receive immediate, actionable answers.

Users can pose queries ranging from the general to the highly specific, such as "Which structural adhesive can bond carbon fiber and aluminum sheeting?" or "Compare the technical details of 3M VHB Tape 5952 and Adhesive Transfer Tape 468MP." The AI can also provide step-by-step guidance, for instance, on how to properly apply a product like 3M Scotch-Weld DP420NS Black.

The platform's real-world value was validated during its extensive testing and development phase. A production engineer grappling with an urgent manufacturing challenge used the tool to find a solution for bonding polypropylene thermoplastic to insulation foam within a tight 24-hour cure window. "It took a very basic question and it helped us unfold all the other needs in order to pinpoint a product," the engineer reported. "It's definitely a tool that we would use on a daily basis."

This experience highlights the assistant's primary benefit: dramatically reducing the delays associated with traditional support channels. By providing an immediate, self-service channel for technical exploration, the tool helps keep projects moving and operations running smoothly.

Grounded in Trust: The Power of Proprietary Data

In an era where the reliability of AI-generated information is a significant concern, 3M has built Ask 3M on a foundation of trust. Unlike general AI chat tools that pull data from the open internet, the new digital assistant's responses are grounded exclusively in verified 3M documentation, internal company expertise, and validated product knowledge. This closed-loop system, which draws from the company's 49 distinct technology platforms, is designed to eliminate the risk of inaccurate information or AI "hallucinations."

This commitment to data integrity is critical in industrial settings, where material specifications, chemical compatibility, and application procedures must be precise to ensure safety, performance, and quality. By delivering answers rooted in its own scientific and technical legacy, the company ensures that users receive reliable, vetted guidance. To further bolster confidence, the platform allows users to download the source documents for the information provided directly within the conversation, creating a clear and verifiable audit trail for every recommendation.

This approach sets a new standard for reliability in AI-powered technical assistance. It ensures that when an engineer receives a product suggestion or application advice from Ask 3M, they can be confident it is based on decades of scientific research and real-world performance data.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Digital Landscape

The launch of Ask 3M is a calculated strategic move that positions the materials science leader at the forefront of AI-driven customer engagement in the industrial sector. While competitors like BASF and Henkel are also leveraging AI, their efforts have largely focused on internal R&D, production optimization, and the creation of "virtual materials" for simulation. 3M's tool is a distinct, customer-facing platform designed to directly enhance the product selection and support experience, providing a tangible competitive advantage.

The platform enters a market ripe for innovation. The global market for AI in customer service is projected to grow exponentially, and industrial AI is increasingly seen as essential for optimizing complex processes. Ask 3M sits at the intersection of these trends, applying advanced AI not just for internal efficiency, but as a direct value-add for its customers.

Furthermore, the tool streamlines the path from inquiry to purchase. After identifying the ideal solution, users are seamlessly linked to authorized 3M distributors, simplifying procurement and integrating the tool into the complete commercial workflow.

Accelerating Innovation from Concept to Production

Ask 3M is not a standalone initiative but a key component of the company's broader digital transformation strategy. It works in synergy with the 3M Digital Materials Hub, a platform that uses generative AI and simulation-ready data to allow engineers to digitally test and validate materials before investing in costly physical prototypes. Together, these tools create a powerful, integrated workflow that can accelerate a customer's journey from design challenge to a simulated, validated solution in a fraction of the time traditionally required.

This digital ecosystem reflects a vision articulated by 3M's leadership to "reignite our innovation engine" by merging AI with the company's core technological and manufacturing expertise. The goal is to solve engineering challenges faster and deliver smarter, more effective solutions to the market.

While the initial rollout of Ask 3M focuses on industrial adhesives and tapes, 3M has confirmed plans to expand its capabilities into additional product categories over time. This signals a long-term commitment to embedding AI across its diverse portfolio, ensuring that its legacy of scientific innovation continues to evolve in the digital age and deliver powerful new efficiencies to the industries it serves.