Autodesk's 3rd Annual State of Design & Make Report Reveals AI Skills are Top Hiring Priority as Leaders Face Talent Shortages

Core Insights - The 2025 State of Design & Make report by Autodesk reveals that despite geopolitical and economic uncertainties, industry leaders are continuing to invest in AI, technology advancements, acquisitions, and sustainability [1][3][10] Investment Trends - Companies are still prioritizing AI investments, with tech-advanced firms feeling optimistic about opportunities and increasing training investments [5][10] - 77% of tech-advanced companies plan to increase investments in digital training, compared to 59% of less tech-advanced companies [16] Skills Gap and Workforce Challenges - A significant skills gap persists, with 58% of professionals citing a lack of access to skilled talent as a barrier to growth, a 15-point increase from the previous year [8][16] - Nearly half (48%) of professionals report that their organizations lack the resources to design internal training programs, a 10-point increase from last year [8][16] AI Adoption and Trust Issues - AI adoption is accelerating, but trust in AI has declined, with only 65% of respondents expressing trust in AI, reflecting an 11-point decline [8] - Confidence in AI decision-making has dropped, with 69% of professionals expressing confidence in their company's AI choices, down nine points [8] Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage - Sustainability is becoming a key differentiator for companies, with 72% of business leaders believing it can generate more than 5% of their annual revenue [10][17] - 39% of companies are using AI to enhance sustainability efforts, an increase from 34% in 2024 [17] Industry Outlook - The Design and Make industries employ nearly 300 million people globally and are projected to represent $30 trillion in value by 2027 [3] - Companies investing in modernization are reporting gains in customer satisfaction, productivity, and innovation, with 72% noting improvements in company reputation [12]