AI beyond automation
AI is revolutionizing product development in industrial machinery by moving beyond traditional automation. Instead of just handling tasks like text or image classification, AI can now both generate and understand 3D engineering content while also giving intelligent recommendations. These new AI capabilities facilitate validation for best practices and promote design reuse, both tasks that were previously manual and time-consuming.
During our digital transformation podcast, Rahul Garg, Chris Pennington, and Shirish More discussed the evolution of AI in industrial manufacturing tools. The conversation zeroed-in on how Siemens is collaborating with customers and partners within the industrial machinery, automotive, and aerospace sectors to shape the future of design and engineering software.
Evolving past automation
Siemens has been investing in AI for several years. In 2019, they introduced the Adaptive UI, which monitors user behavior to predict and suggest the next likely command. This feature, known as command prediction, is especially useful for repetitive design tasks and has been widely adopted—used by 75–85% of customers. It significantly reduces the number of clicks and time required for complex operations, such as applying chamfers or blends on turbine blades.
The predictive UI also helps users discover new capabilities they might not be aware of, enhancing both efficiency and learning. For example, it can detect when a user is working on a molded part and suggest relevant tools or operations.
The latest advancements include the integration of generative AI and the Design Center Copilot, which is embedded directly into the design environment. Unlike browser-based tools, this copilot is context-aware and trained on Siemens’ technical documentation and APIs. It can assist with command searches, design queries, and even generate scripts to automate repetitive tasks.
This evolution is part of Siemens’ broader strategy to make AI accessible across all user levels—from novices to experts—by enabling natural language interactions and automating routine engineering tasks.
Creating a context rich, secure model
Siemens is developing industrial foundation models trained on structured and unstructured engineering data, including CAD files, simulations, and validation results. These models are designed to understand engineering language and context, making them ideal for real-world industrial applications.
Siemens emphasizes a responsible AI strategy that respects customer data privacy. Customers can train models using their own IP and historical data—often stored in Teamcenter—without sharing it externally. Siemens provides tools to extract and learn from this data, enabling on-premises model deployment tailored to each organization’s needs.
Ensuring successful adoption and
Shirish outlines a phased approach to AI adoption:
- Crawl: Start with simple tools like command prediction to reduce repetitive tasks and ease onboarding.
- Walk: Introduce advanced features like performance predictors and topology optimization.
- Run: Train AI models using company-specific best practices and historical data.
- Fly: Fully integrate generative AI and copilot agents to create new engineering content and automate complex workflows.
This structured approach helps organizations gradually build trust in AI and scale its use effectively. Customers using AI-driven workflows have reported 10–20% efficiency gains. Tools like the Design Center Copilot, which functions similarly to ChatGPT but is embedded within the design environment, provide real-time, context-aware suggestions. These tools help identify potential design failures early and guide users through corrective actions using Siemens-trained machine learning models.
An automated future
Through AI-powered tools like Copilot, predictive UI, and generative design, Siemens is transforming how engineers work—making design processes faster, smarter, and more intuitive. Their phased adoption strategy and commitment to customer-specific solutions ensure that organizations can harness AI effectively and responsibly.
To hear more about how Siemens is guaranteeing AI helps its customers reach the next level in automation, listen to our digital transformation podcast.
Siemens Digital Industries Software helps organizations of all sizes digitally transform using software, hardware and services from the Siemens Xcelerator business platform. Siemens’ software and the comprehensive digital twin enable companies to optimize their design, engineering and manufacturing processes to turn today’s ideas into the sustainable products of the future. From chips to entire systems, from product to process, across all industries. Siemens Digital Industries Software – Accelerating transformation.
