Global engineers optimistic about AI's role in development

Engineers worldwide are cautiously optimistic about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in product development, according to Avnet's latest Avnet Insights survey.

Findings from the survey, which involved 1,204 engineering professionals globally, revealed that 75% of engineers foresee improving market conditions for their design products. Regionally, engineers in Mexico and China expressed the highest levels of optimism, at 87% and 85% respectively. Comparatively, only 49% of Japanese engineers shared this sentiment.

The survey, which was conducted online between 31 October and 15 November 2024, sought to understand the perspectives of engineers from various countries including the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and Japan. A significant portion of the respondents, 34%, were from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

AI's influence in product design was a key focus of the survey. It highlighted that 42% of engineers worldwide are currently integrating AI into their projects, with Chinese engineers at the forefront, with 66% actively using AI, compared to 46.5% in the United States.

Tan Aik Hoon, Regional President of Avnet, South Asia & Korea, stated, "The breadth of AI's potential impact across all aspects of product development is truly remarkable. Our survey results clearly demonstrate this, with engineers identifying a wide range of areas where AI can significantly improve their work, from accelerating design cycles and enhancing product performance to creating entirely new possibilities."

Nearly all the surveyed engineers (96%) acknowledged that AI is likely to impact crucial product development functions. These include increasing automation of design tasks, facilitating more personalised designs, improving market need predictions, and expediting development cycles.

Challenges associated with AI integration were also noted. Among the top concerns for engineers globally were security and privacy issues (37%) and data quality (31%). In the APAC markets, these concerns were prevalent, with Chinese engineers also highlighting sustainability, and Japanese engineers focusing on enhanced performance as significant challenges.

Tan commented, "The rapid advancement of AI presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges for the region. We are seeing engineers across the region grapple with concerns such as data quality issues, and security and privacy concerns, while also prioritising factors like sustainability and increased performance, as highlighted by our survey findings. At Avnet, we have a long history of successfully navigating complex technological landscapes. We will leverage our deep expertise and extensive network to bring together leading suppliers, innovative customers, and a diverse ecosystem of partners to address these challenges and unlock the full potential of AI in Asia-Pacific."

The survey results further indicated that engineers believe certain skills are necessary to optimise AI's potential in product design. Skills such as data analysis and interpretation, AI model optimisation, and problem-solving and critical thinking were considered essential. In Japan, data analysis and AI optimisation were emphasised, whereas in China, problem-solving and proficiency in digital design tools were prioritised.

Tan concluded, "By addressing the challenges identified in our survey, such as data security, privacy, and the need for skilled talent, and by fostering a collaborative ecosystem that leverages the unique strengths of each market across Asia Pacific, we can unlock the full potential of AI to drive economic growth and improve lives across the region. Avnet is committed to playing a crucial role in this journey by providing our customers with the necessary tools, technologies, and expertise to succeed in this exciting new era of AI-powered innovation. Together with our partners, we will empower engineers across the region to overcome these challenges and harness the transformative power of AI for the benefit of all."