Infographic: State of Design & Make for ESPs
Access the full 2025 State of Design & Make report— including all glossary terms and research insights
READ the full report
Source: Autodesk, 2025 State of Design & Make report and study data
49% APAC
39% EMEA
12% AMER
Composition of the engineering service
providers 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.
373 survey respondents in 2025
288 survey respondents in 2024
279 survey respondents in 2023
2 in
191 number of respondents classified as digitally mature in 2025
DEMOGRAPHICS Engineering service providers
Applied sustainable design principles 3
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
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 Tech, 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 3 benefits of digital transformation
Stakeholder influence is in decline
Top organizational challenges for engineering service providers
Leaders are more optimistic about the future, but feel less prepared
Lack of skilled talent is hindering growth
AI sentiment is down across engineering service providers
2023
55%
1. Improved productivity
Investors PolicymakersEmployeesCustomers
3. Improved collaboration
2. Reduced cost
Digital transformation benefits the entire organization Digitally mature companies are more likely than their peers to...
+26% have experienced “above average” or “exceptional” performance
+39% “agree” they are prepared for the future
+30% have “increased” or “strongly increased” investment in the past 3 years
+30% have kept up “very well” with change in the industry
Leaders at digitally mature organizations, feel better prepared to handle unforeseen changes:
79% at digitally mature organizations
40% at less digitally mature organizations
90%
70%
50%
40%
60%
80%
2025 2024
2025
2024
AI will make my industry more creative
78% in 2024
68% in 2025
AI will enhance my industry
76% in 2024
70% in 2025
I trust AI technologies for my industry
74% in 2024
63% in 2025
I am confident my company will make the
right decisions regarding AI
76% in 2024
71% in 2025
2025
2024
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%
VS
66% of business leaders say their organizations will increase or strongly increase their investments over the next three years
81% in 2024 64% in AECO 67% globally
62% of business leaders say that lack
of access to skilled talent is a barrier to their company’s growth
47% in 2024 58% in AECO 58% globally
26% of digitally mature companies
report improved talent acquisition and retention as a benefit of digital transformation
19% of less digitally mature companies
79% vs. 53%
Planning to increase future investments
digitally mature
less digitally mature
72% vs. 50%
Considering entering new markets
digitally mature
less digitally mature
Digitally mature organizations were
more likely to diversify their supply chains—giving them a significant edge when it comes to resilience38%
Ability to implement/ work with AI
Software development/ programming
Knowledge of data safety and security3
2
1
1
39% technological advancements including AI
31% in AECO 31% globally
31% attracting, training, and retaining talent
27% in AECO 26% globally
34% cost control and cost management
34% in AECO 33% globally
2 3
43%
33%
36%
26%
34%
30%
74%
60%
64%
63%
72% of leaders at digitally mature companies are accelerating their sustainability investments, compared to 54% at less digitally mature companies
75% of leaders at digitally mature organizations say they will increase investment in AI, compared to 65% at less digitally mature companies
40% VS. 36%Digitally mature companies report using AI technology for sustainability more than less digitally mature organizations
Future hiring priorities
3
Top sustainability actions by year 2023 2025
1 Used AI to be more sustainable
Increased share of renewable energy sources used
Invested in more energy-efficient processes or machinery
Used more recycled materials
Increased share of renewable energy sources used
Used AI to be more sustainable
2024
2
3 Decreased waste from production and construction2*
Used more recycled materials
1 11
1*
2
3
2
*Tied rank
*Tied rank
Engineering service providers
https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/www/pdfs/2025-sdm-report-final.pdf