Autodesk’s latest 2024 State of Design & Make Report has been officially live and available this month. The Autodesk annual report is one of the most comprehensive measures of the AEC, Manufacturing, and Media & Entertainment industries reports in the world, which collectively employ nearly 300 million people worldwide and represent nearly USD 30 trillion per year by 2027.
Highlights From Report
One of the key takeaways from the annual report is some optimism about their industry. Collecting data from leaders of thousands of companies, the report reveals that there is a high level of trust in AI technologies moving forward. This is likely because AI is already a working tool in the creative industries and far less of a scary job-crushing phenomenon.
Other takeaways include:
- With optimism returning, digitization has reached a tipping point: Business leaders are more confident in their companies’ resilience this year, especially digitally advanced companies which are experiencing greater success. 73% of companies surveyed feel prepared for unexpected economic or geopolitical changes, up 14 points from 2023.
- Trust in AI is on the rise: More than 3 in 4 professionals (76%) say they trust AI for their industry, many have embraced AI to enhance productivity, become more efficient, and to better achieve sustainability goals – now table stakes for business and the planet.
- Perception of AI progress is high as we still scratch the surface: More than half of companies say they are approaching or have already achieved their goal of incorporating AI. While AI adoption is high, we still have a long way to go to maximize AI’s potential.
- Upskilling becomes a necessity as tech skillsets expand: With nearly half of industry professionals saying that access to skilled talent is a barrier to their companies’ growth, upskilling and continuous learning emerge as essential programs for companies large and small.
- Companies who don’t meaningfully commit to sustainability will be left behind: Nearly all companies say they have taken actions to improve their sustainability, but without meaningful commitments, companies across industries risk being left behind by competitors whose values are in line with those of their employees and customers.
“While capacity and economic constraints have dominated industry conversations, it’s not surprising to see increased trust and optimism in AI, digital transformation, and sustainability, as our customers aim to be more efficient and cost-effective,” said Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO, Autodesk. “As the world confronts unprecedented challenges, technology is our most powerful tool for designing and making a better world for all.”
To read more details and the full report go here and here (full report).