A 2027 State of DESIGN & MAKE breakout report

Design and manufacturing

The next era of manufacturing is built on connected intelligence Manufacturers have long embraced new technologies to improve design, engineering, and production. Today, that digital foundation is enabling the next phase of transformation, as organizations integrate AI into the connected systems, data, and workflows they’ve spent years building. Rather than treating AI as a stand- alone initiative, manufacturers are making it part of how the business operates.

The data from the 2027 State of Design & Make study reflects that shift. Technology, including AI, is now the leading business challenge for 40% of design and manufacturing (D&M) leaders, while concern

about cost has declined from 35% to 30%. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of organizations report pursuing three or more strategies to advance AI, including workforce training, workflow integration, automation, and technology partnerships. Together, these findings suggest manufacturers are operationalizing AI—moving past the experimentation phase and are now integrating AI into business operations.

This breakout explores how leading manufacturers are building the digital capabilities needed to put AI to work— and what distinguishes the organizations doing it most successfully.

65% of D&M organizations

use three or more strategies to advance AI

40% say technology, including AI, is

their leading business challenge

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Manufacturers are integrating AI through training, partnerships, and new workflows Manufacturers recognize that realizing AI’s full value requires more than implementing a new technology. Across D&M, 43% of organizations are investing in AI training, 37% are integrating AI into existing workflows, 36% are expanding automation, and 35% are partnering with technology providers. Overall, 65% report pursuing three or more of these strategies simultaneously, reflecting a coordinated approach to building AI capability across the business.

That pattern is remarkably consistent across manufacturing. While life sciences places slightly greater emphasis on training (54%) and workflow integration (46%), organizations across every manufacturing segment are investing across multiple fronts rather than relying on a single initiative. The findings suggest manufacturers increasingly view AI as an organizational capability— one that depends on people, processes, and technology working together.

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Life sciences

54%

Automotive

36%Investing in AI training and development

Developing in-house AI solutions

D&M

43%

Building products

42%

Consumer products

37%

Industrial machinery

49%

Process manufacturing

50%

Implementing AI-driven automation

39%38%36% 33% 30% 39% 41%

Integrating AI into existing workflows

46%35%37% 31% 33% 40% 45%

Partnering with AI technology vendors /software providers

46%33%35% 33% 30% 40% 36%

36%25%31% 31% 33% 32% 32%

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5thRanking

Survey question: In the last year, leaders have identified technological advancements including AI as a primary challenge for their company. What strategies have you used to respond to AI? Please select all that apply. Percent selected, multiple responses allowed.

D&M leaders invest in skills development to solve AI challenges Life sciences sees the most potential with AI training, automotive the least

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Connected digital capabilities set leading manufacturers apart Digital maturity in manufacturing is increasingly defined not by individual technologies, but by how effectively organizations connect data, workflows, and systems across the business. While 43% of D&M organizations consider themselves digitally mature, the highest-performing manufacturers distinguish themselves by building integrated operating environments that make new technologies easier to adopt and scale.

D&M Pacesetters are the 10% of organizations in our research that lead

D&M

95% of Pacesetters report mature data-sharing capabilities vs.79%

of mainstream

simultaneously in maturity, AI adoption, and sustainability. They outperform their peers in both business performance and preparedness for future challenge. Compared with mainstream manufacturers, they are far more likely to report mature data-sharing capabilities (95% vs. 79%), workflow integration (96% vs. 79%), and smart services (98% vs. 71%). They are also more likely to integrate AI into workflows (58% vs. 35%) and invest in AI training (57% vs. 42%), creating integrated operating environments that make new technologies easier to scale across the business.

52027 STATE OF DESIGN & MAKE: D&M BREAKOUT

70%

80%

90%

100%

2025 2027 2025 2027

Use of technology to integrate data and workflows

+2%

+3%

2025 2027 2025

Use of cloud services and platforms (including APIs)

+4%

+1%

Smart services

+7%

-2%

Mass customization

+5%

-3%

2027

Survey question: In your company or organization, how mature are the following? 5-point scale, top two: “average maturity” or “very mature.” See the Pacesetter definition on page 5.

Pacesetters Mainstream

Pacesetters in D&M far outpace mainstream organizations in digital tool usage

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Automation of repetitive tasks

Predictive analysis and forecasting

Connected workflows and contextual AI agents

AI is widely adopted across all areas

Construction and operations intelligence

Design intelligence and concept generation

Sustainability and performance optimization

Business intelligence and decision support

Collaboration and knowledge assistance

Manufacturing production optimization

41%

39%

38%

33%

32%

32%

30%

30%

25%

24%

Survey question: What are the current use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in your company or organization? Please select all that apply. Percent selected. Note: Some answer options are shortened for better readability. “Other” and “none of the above” are not shown.

D&M leaders are applying AI broadly to drive production efficiency and throughput

Manufacturers are embedding AI throughout the production lifecycle rather than limiting it to a single function. The most common applications include workflow automation (41%), predictive analysis (39%), and manufacturing optimization (38%), reflecting a broad focus on improving operational performance holistically across organizational processes.

The strongest digital foundations make that possible. As manufacturers connect data, workflows, and production systems, AI becomes easier to integrate into everyday operations— helping organizations improve efficiency, optimize complex processes, and support better decisions across design, engineering, and production. Rather than standing apart from existing systems, AI is becoming part of how manufacturers operate.

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7

Manufacturers are looking beyond their own industry for what’s next Manufacturers are applying digital capabilities to more than operational efficiency. Across D&M, 66% of leaders say they are exploring new markets, 66% seek inspiration from outside their industry, and 64% are adopting techniques developed in other sectors.

Together, these findings suggest manufacturers increasingly look beyond traditional industry boundaries for ideas and opportunities.

66% of D&M organizations are exploring new markets

66% seek inspiration from outside their industry

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Process manufacturing

Building products and fabrication

Life sciences manufacturing Consumer products

Industrial machinery

Automotive, mobility, and other transportation

71% 66%

65% 65%

57%

76%

Survey question: To what extent do you agree or disagree that your company or organization is doing the following to be more resilient? My company is considering entering new markets. 5-point scale. Top two: “somewhat agree” or “strongly agree.”

Life sciences and process manufacturing lead the way

66% of D&M leaders are considering entering new markets

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0%

20%

30%

10%

40%

50%

Invested in more energy-efficient

processes or machinery

Decreased waste from production and construction

Helped or required decreased carbon

emissions from suppliers

Used AI to be more sustainable

Applied sustainable design principles

Survey question: What changes has your company or organization already made to be more sustainable? Please select all that apply. Percent selected, multiple responses allowed.

Sustainability strategies vary across D&M sectors AI is the top sustainability enabler overall

Automotive Building products Consumer products Industrial machinery Life sciences Process manufacturing

D&M

While sustainability priorities differ across manufacturing sectors, 38% of organizations report using AI to support their sustainability initiatives. Rather than treating growth, sustainability, and digital transformation as separate priorities, manufacturers are bringing them together to strengthen business performance and create new opportunities.

10

Conclusion Manufacturing has long embraced digital technologies to improve how products are designed, engineered, and produced. Today’s findings suggest AI is the next step in that evolution—not as a stand-alone technology, but as part of an integrated digital operating model that spans people, processes, data, and production.

The organizations we call Pacesetters demonstrate what that looks like in practice. Throughout this report, they consistently outperformed mainstream organizations by pairing technology investment with connected data, integrated workflows, workforce development, and AI implementation. Rather than treating these

as separate initiatives, they built operating models where each capability reinforced the others—creating stronger business performance, greater resilience, and a foundation for continued innovation.

For manufacturing leaders, the opportunity is not simply to adopt AI. It is to build the digital foundation that allows

AI, digital transformation, sustainability, and new business opportunities to reinforce one another. Organizations that make those investments today will be better positioned to innovate, compete, and grow as manufacturing continues to evolve.

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42% EMEA

43% APAC

14% AMER

Region*

About this analysis This D&M industry briefing draws on Autodesk’s 2027 State of Design & Make study, which surveyed 1,895 leaders and experts across manufacturing industries worldwide. The findings presented here highlight patterns specific to the D&M sector and should be interpreted within the context of this industry sample. Pacesetters represent 10% of D&M respondents (n=186), with the remaining 90% classified as mainstream organizations.

About Autodesk Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Its technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, operations, product design, manufacturing, and media and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to more mesmerizing blockbusters, Autodesk software helps customers design and make a better world for all. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk on social media. Contact Autodesk at state.of.design.and.make@autodesk.com about this research report or to sign up to participate in future research programs. The information provided in this report is for general informational purposes only and strictly for the convenience of our customers. Autodesk, Inc., does not endorse or warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links, or other items contained within the report. Autodesk, Inc., does not guarantee that you will achieve any specific outcomes or results if you follow any advice in the report. © 2026 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Definitions for Pacesetters, digital maturity, AI leaders, and sustainability leaders are consistent with those used in the 2027 State of Design & Make report. 2026 AI Pulse comparisons are cited where trend data is referenced throughout this briefing.

*Numbers do not add up to 100% due to rounding.

21% Consumer products

20% Process manufacturing

18% Building products

16% Automotive

13% Industrial machinery

8% Life sciences

3% Aerospace and defense

D&M respondent profile

D&M

122027 STATE OF DESIGN & MAKE: D&M BREAKOUT

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