Gen AI in Engineering – Start with the WHY and measurable Values along the dimensions of Time, Cost and Quality
Back in 1995, I started looking at the use of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering and product development as part of my PhD Thesis.
A lot has happened since then.
Significant improvements in computer performance, data availability and access, cloud connectivity including applications and with Generative AI also methods and algorithms for easy use.
Among other business areas such as marketing, sales, after sales, production and cross-cutting functions, I see the greatest potential of Generative AI in Research & Development, and Software Engineering.
Hundreds of Use Cases based on model building and modeling, configuration, software engineering, optimization, testing, validation, and training in the engineering disciplines styling, vehicle architecture and design, mechatronic – E/E – and software development, production engineering, homologation, certification and partner collaboration are described and quite a few we have already implemented.
In the course of my work with OEMs, system suppliers, tech companies and AI startups, I have learned the following:
Data needs to be available across platforms, easy to access via API, and data quality in particular still needs significant improvement.
The use of Product Oriented Teams with broad knowledge of relevant business processes but also IT and data expertise as well as know-how and experience with AI implementation are important.
Sufficient attention must be paid to the protection of data and Intellectual Property when selecting Gen AI algorithms and tools.
And from my point of view, the most important thing:
In addition to the prerequisite of a Digital Culture and Mindset, the focus must be on the benefits of AI deployment. Measurable Targets along the Dimensions of
- Time: Eespecially shortening the product development process,
- Cost: Reducing hardware prototyping and homologation costs and
- Quality: Improving product maturity and meeting market entry deadlines) and their verification are the key for me.
I look forward to an exciting continuation