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

10% AMER

31% EMEA

59% APAC

Composition of the civil infrastructure

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.

201 survey respondents in 2025

211 survey respondents in 2024

35 survey respondents in 2023

2 in

DEMOGRAPHICS Civil Infrastructure Owners

2

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 talents are top concerns for leaders

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 civil infrastructure

Leaders are feeling less prepared, more uncertain

Lack of skilled talent is hindering growth

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%

62% of leaders surveyed for this year’s report who agree that the global landscape is now more uncertain, compared to 64% in AECO and 65% globally

74% of business leaders say their organizations will increase or strongly increase their investments over the next three years

88% in 2024 64% in AECO 67% globally

60% of business leaders say that lack

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

25% in 2024 58% in AECO 58% globally

54% of business leaders they have had to let people go because

they lack technical skills

22% in 2024 48% in AECO 49% globally

Ability to implement/ work with AI

Digital design skills

Software development/ programming 3

2

1

1

28% technological advancements including AI

31% in AECO 34% globally

27% cost control and cost management

35% in AECO 31% globally

2

25% data automation and digitization

tied with

global economy

79%

73%

39%

62%

Stakeholder influence is in decline

Investors PolicymakersEmployeesCustomers

90%

70%

50%

40%

60%

80% 2025

2024

Top 3 benefits of digital transformation

1. Improved productivity

3. Improved profitability

2. Better risk management

Top 3 barriers to digital transformation

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

2025 2024

Cost

Lack of trained/skilled workers

Time needed to invest in new tools and ways of working 3

2

1

75% vs. 82%

Will enter new markets this year

2025 2024

77% vs. 85% 2025 2024

Will offer new services this year

39%

27%

33%

19%

31%

30%

2024 2025

1 Increased share of renewable energy sources used

Optimized water systems

Used AI to be more sustainable

Invested in more energy-efficient processes or machinery

Created clear goals for carbon neutrality Applied sustainable design principles

2

1

33

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

Building Owners

Civil Infrastructure Owners

Construction Services

Engineering Service Providers

Architecture Services

AI adoption for sustainability throughout AECO

38%

35%

40%

Mining

Oil and gas

Utilities and telecom 48%

38%

40%

43%

35%

Sub industries using AI to enhance their sustainability efforts

AI sentiment is down across civil infrastructure

AI will make my industry more creative

85% in 2024

73% in 2025

AI will enhance my industry

82% in 2024

72% in 2025

I trust AI technologies for my industry

83% in 2024

75% in 2025

I am confident my company will make the

right decisions regarding AI

86% in 2024

77% in 2025

73% of respondents say their investments in AI will increase, compared to 67% in AECO and 68% globally

Future hiring priorities

Leaders who say their organizations are diversifying their supply chains 74% in 2025 84% in 2024VS

40%

3 3

Civil Infrastructure

84% of business leaders believe that sustainability measures can generate in excess of 5% of their annual revenue 83% in 2024 72% in AECO 79% globally

https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/www/pdfs/2025-sdm-report-final.pdf