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Source: Autodesk, 2025 State of Design & Make report and study data

10% AMER 43%

EMEA

47% APAC

Composition of the industrial

machinery subset

The State of Design & Make report is a global, annual, longitudinal study for leaders who design and make places, objects, and experiences. It identifies the most pressing issues shaping today’s businesses and helps leaders make informed, strategic decisions about how to prioritize and invest for the future. This is the third longitudinal year of this report series with data comparisons from the previous two reports.

242 survey respondents in 2025

367 survey respondents in 2024

73 survey respondents in 2023

2 in

DEMOGRAPHICS Industrial machinery

2025

2024

2023

55%

INSIGHT 1 Digital transformation efforts have an overwhelmingly positive impact

INSIGHT 2 Sustainability transitions from pressure to profitability

INSIGHT 3 AI solidifies its place as the top sustainability enabler

INSIGHT 4 The AI hype cycle meets reality

INSIGHT 5 Technology, cost, and talent are top concerns

INSIGHT 6 Leaders are cautious in the near term

INSIGHT 7 The search for talent intensifies, with a focus on AI skills

INSIGHT 8 Investments remain strong but reflect uncertainty

Top sustainability actions by year

Top organizational challenges for industrial machinery

Leaders are feeling less prepared, more uncertain

Lack of skilled talent is hindering growth

AI sentiment is down across industrial machinery

My company is well prepared to handle unforeseen future macroeconomic and geopolitical changes

The future global landscape feels more uncertain now than 3 years ago

80% 100%60%40%20%0%20% 0%40%60%80%100%

65% of leaders surveyed for this year’s report who agree that the global landscape is now more uncertain, compared to 62% in D&M and 65% globally

68% of business leaders say their organizations will increase or strongly increase their investments over the next three years

91% in 2024 64% in D&M 67% globally

63% of business leaders say that lack

of access to skilled talent is a barrier to their company’s growth

26% in 2024 59% in D&M 58% globally

43% of business leaders say they have

had to let people go because they lack technical skills

21% in 2024 47% in in D&M 49% globally

Leaders who say their organizations are diversifying their supply chains: 68% in 2025 90% in 2024VS

Ability to implement/ work with AI

Knowledge of data safety and security

Data science and data management skills3

2

1

1

36% technological advancements including AI

31% in D&M 31% globally

34% cost control and cost management

35% in D&M 33% globally

2 3

90%

62%

26%

65%

Stakeholder influence among building products and fabrication

Investors PolicymakersEmployeesCustomers

90%

70%

50%

60%

80% 2025

2024

Future hiring priorities

Top 3 benefits of digital transformation

1. Improved productivity

2. Improved sustainability

2. Improved profitability

Top 3 barriers of digital transformation

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

2025 2024

Lack of trained/skilled workers

Cost

Time needed to invest in new tools and ways of working3

2

1

73% of business leaders believe that sustainability measures can generate in excess of 5% of their annual revenue 83% in 2024 71% in design & manufacturing (D&M) 79% globally

40% 50%30%20%10%0%

Consumer products

Industrial machinery

Life sciences manufacturing

Process manufacturing

Building products and fabrication

AI adoption for sustainability throughout D&M

31%

41%

44%

38%

32%

AI will make my industry more creative

89% in 2024

71% in 2025

AI will enhance my industry

89% in 2024

72% in 2025

I trust AI technologies for my industry

89% in 2024

72% in 2025

I am confident my company will make the

right decisions regarding AI

91% in 2024

68% in 2025

71% of respondents say their investments in AI will increase, compared to 66% in D&M and 68% globally

69% vs. 88%

Will enter new markets this year

2025 2024

71% vs. 91% 2025 2024

Will offer new services this year

47%

37%

35%

26%

34%

33%

Sub industries using AI to enhance their sustainability efforts

31% attracting, training, and retaining talent

24% in D&M 26% globally

2024 2025

1 Increased share of renewable energy sources used

Invested in more energy-efficient processes or machinery

Participated in carbon project financing

Used AI to be more sustainable

Adopted more circular principles by using recycled materials

1

2

3

Invested in more energy-efficient processes or machinery2

2

2

Helped or required decreased carbon emissions from suppliers

Industrial machinery