普华永道-人工智能对研发活动的变革性影响研究报告

Innovate smarter How AI is transforming Research and Development1PwCInnovate smarter: How AI is transforming Research and DevelopmentTable of contents2Executive Summary31Behind the curtain: Today’s reality in R&D and operations4Industry challenges5The AI revolution in R&D62AI to support within the product lifecycle7Key valuable use cases within the product lifecycle, available today8Building an AI-enabled R&D organisation143Successful AI implementations are business-led, not tech-led174Conclusion20PwCInnovate smarter: How AI is transforming Research and Development3As industries face increasing pressure to innovate swiftly and sustainably, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into Research and Development (R&D) processes has become essential. AI has the potential to revolutionise R&D by addressing challenges like accelerated time to market, complex product specifications, and strict regulatory requirements. By transforming vast data into actionable insights, AI enables organisations to streamline development, enhance resource efficiency, and bolster compliance. Key applications that are achievable with today’s state of technology include variant management, requirements engineering, and regulatory alignment throughout the product lifecycle. Embracing AI requires strategic adjustments, focusing on data quality, security, availability, and empowering the workforce with new capabilities. The PwC framework lays the groundwork for overcoming implementation barriers and fostering a culture of continuous innovation, positioning organisations for long-term success in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.Executive SummaryPwCInnovate smarter: How AI is transforming Research and DevelopmentBehind the curtain Today’s reality in R&D and operations41PwCInnovate smarter: How AI is transforming Research and Development5As the 2025 study from PwC in collaboration with Microsoft AI in operations: Revolutionising the manufacturing industry has shown, the discrete manufacturing industry is under immense pressure to innovate. Rapidly evolving customer expectations and technological advances mean that products and processes must be improved continuously. Innovation is no longer optional; it is essential for differentiation. Time to market has become a decisive factor in competitiveness. PwC's research from an upcoming study on the future of R&D shows that companies must accelerate their development cycles to seize opportunities while balancing speed with quality and compliance. Meanwhile, growing product complexity and portfolio diversification are challenging traditional R&D processes, necessitating more sophisticated coordination between engineering, design and supply chain functions. Compounding these pressures is the scarcity of skilled talent. There is high demand for engineers, designers, and specialists in advanced manufacturing, which limits the capacity to scale innovation. The issue of sustainability adds another layer of complexity. Organisatio