The future of smart, connected product development is where artificial intelligence (AI), simulation, and high-performance computing (HPC) converge to a unified discipline. This is sometimes referred to as computational science and engineering. How far away is that future? When will broad adoption begin? What does it mean for you? 

To help Altair customers make strategic decisions about technology investments leveraging the convergence of HPC, simulation, and AI we surveyed a global sample of product development professionals across large and small enterprises. In collaboration with CIMdata – the leading independent global strategic management consulting and research authority focused exclusively on PLM and the digital transformation it enables – we explored respondents’ levels of technology adoption and their anticipated levels of acceptance and influence in five years. Responses came from business leaders, technologists, and researchers across the corporate functions of design, engineering, data science, information technology (IT), and operational technology (OT).

What did we learn?

More than 400 respondents shared their views on how to remain competitive and viable in today’s globally connected environment. They assert that a hybrid cloud environment – a combination of private cloud and public cloud services – will be the predominant platform for data analytics and simulation in five years. Product development managers expect that the use of AI and machine learning (ML) for decision making will triple throughout manufacturing organizations in the near future. A major trend will be the alignment of IT and OT infrastructures.

Additionally, the application of digital twins is an exciting development with great promise to improve operational and design efficiency. Respondents anticipate more consistent application of product knowledge during development to be the leading benefit of digital twins, with the greatest roadblock being a lack of the necessary skills in simulation.

We distilled these key findings and more into a highly graphical report, which sheds insights into how manufacturers are addressing many of the new business and product development challenges that require changes to long established commercial practices and engineering processes. 

Digging deeper

To learn more about the outcomes of survey watch this webinar hosted by CIMdata. The webinar explores how data analytics, simulation, and HPC come together in the unified discipline of computational science and engineering. It features Karen E. Willcox Ph.D., director of the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, and professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin; and Altair chief technical officer, James Dagg, who shares examples of how Altair customers are utilizing and benefitting from technology convergence.

You can also find CIMdata’s original commentary on the survey here.

What’s next?

Altair can help align your business and product development strategy to adopt computational science and engineering by:

• Assessing your position among industry peers in embracing the convergence of HPC, simulation, and AI
• Understanding common enterprise drivers and inhibitors for technology adoption to champion initiatives within your organization
• Ensuring that digital twin isn’t a just buzzword, but a meaningful contributor to your product development

Contact us to learn more.