AI is already revolutionizing businesses in architecture, engineering, construction... according to Autodesk's “State of Design & Make” study

For the second year in a row, Autodesk conducted a global study of nearly 5.400 business leaders in the Design & Make sectors: architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO), product design and manufacturing (D&M), as well as media and entertainment (M&E).

Nearly 5.400 global business leaders share their visions and beliefs: a new sense of optimism that promotes the use of new technologies, new processes and new ideas that will uncover new growth opportunities and shape the the future of design and manufacturing.

This year, executives are much more confident compared to last year, with 73% saying their company is prepared to face unforeseen economic or geopolitical changes, an increase of 14 points compared to last year. . Part of the reason for this confidence is that companies have successfully navigated unprecedented challenges in recent years – and seen their previous investments in digital transformation, including AI and other emerging technologies bear fruit.

The architecture, engineering, construction, operations (AECO), design and manufacturing (D&M), and media and entertainment (M&E) sectors employ nearly 300 million people worldwide* and, by 2027, will represent a worth $30 billion globally**. The Autodesk study takes stock of:

business confidence and resilience,
their digital maturity, AI and the knowledge gap,
sustainable solutions and the new generation,
upskilling and the future of work.

Optimism is returning: managers believe that their companies are much more resilient than last year. The perception of digital maturity has changed radically in one year

Overall, 64% of business leaders say their company has reached digital maturity, compared to last year when 62% felt their organization was "less digitally mature." Digital transformation has reached a tipping point.

In a word, business leaders and experts are optimistic this year. They continue to face significant challenges, but their experience in recent years has illustrated the resilience of their organizations. They feel much more confident than last year in their company's ability to effectively meet challenges.

In France

70% of executives say their company is prepared to face unforeseen economic or geopolitical changes and 65% believe the global landscape is more uncertain today than three years ago.

74% say their business exceeded expectations last year. And only 7% say their company is not keeping pace with changes in their industry this year.

Cost control has become the top challenge for businesses (29%) followed closely by environmental sustainability (28%) and “attracting, training and retaining” talent (28%).

Overall, twice as many companies significantly increased their investments in technology to improve project outcomes compared to overall investments.

In France :

26% report a sharp increase in investment in technology to improve project outcomes,
16% a strong increase in overall investments.

Artificial Intelligence: confidence of managers, fight against professional burnout, recruitment and skills development

While 78% of business leaders are convinced that their company will make the right decisions regarding AI, 78% believe that AI will improve their industry. 79% believe that AI will make their industry more creative and 66% believe that within 2 to 3 years, AI will be essential in every field.

This confidence then leads to increased investment: 72% of executives say their organization has increased its investments in AI and emerging technologies, and at least 75% of respondents in each sector plan to increase their investments over the next few years. next three years.

For Stefan List, head of cabin market analysis at Airbus: “I think that large but targeted investments in the short term are not really a risk. It is important to understand the full potential of AI for our own business sector. This is why, in the short term of course, we must experiment. What can we do better with the potential of AI and then develop AI in a way that it really fits your purpose? Because at the end of the day, I think no matter what industry you're in, you have to ask yourself: How can AI help me stay competitive? »

In France

74% trust AI technologies for their industry,
73% are convinced that their company will make the right decisions when it comes to AI,
75% believe that AI will improve their sector of activity,
75% agree that AI will make the industry more creative,
60% agree that within 2 to 3 years, AI will be essential in all areas,
35% believe that AI is ubiquitous and will be adopted in all fields,
53% of respondents say that AI will destabilize their industry.

AI & skills development of teams and innovation

Countering negative preconceptions about AI, Autodesk's new report demonstrates that AI can help employees work better in small teams. From increasing productivity to closing the skills gap, Autodesk's State of Design & Make report reveals unique insights into how businesses are working with (not against) AI to improve business workflow, prevent burnout, and ultimately shape a positive future for work.

While 71% of business leaders consider digital maturity helps to attract talent (65% of French managers), nearly one in three managers say that attracting, training and retaining talent is a major concern.

41% of companies ranked the ability to implement and work with AI as the most important skill. This is also the one they prioritize in their recruitment decisions over the next three years, followed by 38% for digital design skills and 36% for digital project management skills.
Respondents also say sustainability is good for short-term (69%) and long-term (87%) business success.

AI & skills development of teams and innovation

While almost half of professionals believe that AI will help increase productivity, 39% of professionals say that AI will help automate mundane and repetitive tasks. But also :

78% of professionals say that AI will improve their creativity,
41% say the ability to work with AI is the top technical skill companies will prioritize in their hiring decisions over the next three years.

In France

71% of respondents in France recognize the importance of continuing education, while 44% say their organization does not have the skills and resources to design internal training programs. Which makes it more difficult for companies to effectively train employees on systems and processes specific to their organization. However, these limits do not prevent companies from offering training. For example, 64% of them implement continuous learning.

Upskilling and on-the-job training are important:

71% say that skills development is important for their company,
44% do not have the skills or resources to design internal training programs,
64% say they implement continuous learning,
64% say they invest in digital skills training programs,
32% said AI was used in their business to fill a skills gap.

AI & sustainable development

Sustainable development is now a major concern for employees, customers and investors, as well as an important driver of business success.

Changing attitudes towards sustainability are spurring action as companies invest in energy efficiency, material reduction and more sustainable processes that are better for both the environment and the bottom line.

Executives rank AI as the No. 1 vehicle to enable them to become more sustainable. From 2023 to 2024, “using AI to be more sustainable” moved from fifth to first place among business actions.

According to the Autodesk report, 97% of entrepreneurs say they have taken steps to improve sustainability:

Architects, for example, are using AI to analyze urban design factors like traffic, noise pollution, and heat before excavators even hit the ground.
In the industrial sector, designers are using AI to reduce energy consumption and material waste from their production.

If 64% (and 65% in France) say that sustainable development efforts have an impact on professional satisfaction, managers say that it is also good for business development in the short (69%) and long term (87%).

For Kim Dabbs, Global Vice President, ESG and Social Innovation at Steelcase, the world's leading manufacturer of furniture for work, education and training spaces: “It is possible to do business while respecting the inhabitants of the planet while being profitable. The more companies understand that these are not about trade-offs, but rather long-term investments, the more they will be able to get ahead in the next decade. In the long run, they will make money back. »

In France

In France, 76% of those surveyed are proud of their company's sustainability efforts, compared to 59% in 2023. This is a radical change in sentiment, which is reflected in interviews with CEOs. company and experts, most of whom say their companies' leaders, employees and customers are united in their desire to improve sustainability outcomes.

What was true last year is even more true this year: sustainable development is seen as beneficial for the bottom line.

Indeed :

77% want their company to give as much importance to sustainable development as to profits,
77% of the company's sustainability initiatives are a key part of its growth strategy for the next three years,
71% say the Sustainable Development Goals are no longer a good thing to have. They are a requirement of modern business.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.