Listen: AI and Agentic AI shape the future

AI and Agentic AI with Magnus and Matt

In the final episode of this series of the Realize FIVE podcast, our host Magnus Edholm welcomed Matthew Thomas, Managing Director at Accenture, to discuss the transformative potential of AI and agentic AI in engineering and manufacturing. You can hear how the the discussion delves into the practical applications of AI, the concept of the Digital Twin, and the future of autonomous decision-making.

Listen to Matt Thomas on the future of Agentic AI here

Realize LIVE

Defining happiness and professional passion

The conversation, as always, begins on a personal note, with Magnus asking Matt about his definition of happiness and what inspired him to pursue a career in engineering. Matt shared that happiness for him is about balance and contentment, whether it’s spending time with family or achieving professional milestones. His passion for engineering and the belief that engineers can solve some of the world’s biggest challenges has driven him to this point in his career at Accenture.

The value of the Digital Twin

The concept of the Digital Twin as a virtual replica of physical assets that enable real-time monitoring and optimization underpins the work that Matt and Accenture do today. And there is no single perfect Digital Twin as Matt explains, the Digital Twin comes in various forms, depending on the task at hand. The greatest value of a Digital Twin lies in its ability to help engineers make better and faster decisions by providing accurate and comprehensive data.

The greatest value of a Digital Twin lies in its ability to make better and faster decisions by providing accurate and comprehensive data.
Matt Thomas, Accenture

Challenges in Digital Transformation

Matt shared how often the biggest hurdles in digital transformation are related to people and data rather than technology. He emphasizes the importance of creating a digital thread that connects data across different applications and departments. Trust in data and the ability to share it seamlessly are crucial for successful digital transformation.

The role of AI and Agentic AI

Magnus shares a framework for achieving digital transformation maturity, which includes phases like configure, connect, automate, generate, and optimize. Matt agreed with this approach and added that AI and agentic AI can significantly accelerate the transformation journey by automating tasks and generating insights.

AI and agentic AI can significantly accelerate the transformation journey by automating tasks and generating insights.
Matt Thomas, Accenture

Future workforce and AI integration

With many roles potentially under threat from the proliferation of AI it was reassuring to hear Matt emphasizing that AI should be seen as a complement to human engineers rather than a competitor. He suggests that future engineers will need to become adept at working with AI and leveraging its capabilities to enhance their work. Training AI systems, much like training junior engineers, will be essential for maximizing their potential.

Hear live from Accenture

Showcasing at Realize Live

You can hear live from Vivek at Realize LIVE Americas on the Accenture booth in the Solutions Center, in addition Accenture will be presenting in these sessions:

You can hear directly from Matt and see Accenture in action as they showcase several innovative solutions at the upcoming Realize LIVE event. These include demonstrations of AI-driven engineering orchestrators and discussions on the impact of generative AI on engineering.

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Accenture – Generative AI on engineering: transforming roles and delivering value

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Teamcenter journey continues: CAD-part separation & product configuration