Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become a transformative force across industries, and the electronics sector is no exception. Avnet’s latest market insights survey has revealed that 42% of engineers are incorporating AI into their products, underscoring the significant shift in how design and development processes are evolving.
To gain a deeper understanding of this transformation, I spoke with Alex Iuorio, Senior Vice President, Global Supplier Development at Avnet, about the implications of AI on hardware development and what engineers can expect in the coming years.
Reflecting on the survey findings, Iuorio emphasised the rapid pace at which AI is being adopted: “What’s most exciting to me is the 42% that talk about incorporating AI into their products. Today, what’s buoying the market is AI driven by the hyperscaler community, but we’re starting to see it migrate into the next phase – PCs, smartphones, and ultimately the Edge.”
The transition from Cloud-centric AI applications to AI at the Edge presents new opportunities and challenges for engineers. Companies like Avnet are developing strategies to ensure the right technology solutions are in place to address critical concerns such as data privacy, integrity, and security.
“We’re working closely with our processing manufacturers and support circuitry partners to develop solutions that address these concerns. Our goal is to ensure that engineers implementing AI-driven functionalities – whether it’s voice-to-speech, machine learning, or predictive maintenance – can do so seamlessly.”
When asked whether any prior technological shift has matched AI’s impact, Iuorio pointed to historical parallels, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and the networking boom of the early 1990s. However, he noted that AI’s influence surpasses these past trends in scale and significance: “For a brief period, IoT had a similar hype cycle, but it became an embedded, pervasive technology. AI, on the other hand, is unprecedented. It’s touching every aspect of design and product development. The progression from data centres and hyperscalers to consumer devices and industrial applications means AI’s reach will only expand.”
Despite the comparisons, Iuorio dismissed the notion that AI might ‘fizzle out’ as a passing trend. Instead, he sees it as an integral part of the future of engineering.
While AI offers numerous advantages, engineers face significant challenges in integrating it into their designs. Security, data integrity, and system compatibility remain top concerns. Additionally, the ability to perform over-the-air updates and maintain AI-enabled devices efficiently is critical. Avnet is tackling these issues head-on through partnerships and solution development.
“Engineers are looking for implementable solutions that address security and data integrity. For example, our IoTConnect platform is designed to support computational products, making AI integration more efficient.”
With nearly half of engineers already integrating AI into their designs, the question arises: will adoption continue to grow? Iuorio believes the answer is unequivocally yes.
“I don’t think there are any applications that couldn’t be assisted by AI, even in its most basic form. Over the next few years, we’ll see AI further embedded into automotive, industrial, and medical applications – areas where Avnet is deeply focused.”
To support this growing demand, Avnet is aligning with key suppliers to offer AI-ready solutions.
“We’re working with the top five microcontroller manufacturers to characterise their products for AI integration. This ensures engineers have access to pre-validated, implementable solutions, making AI adoption smoother and more effective.”
AI’s rise in engineering is not just a trend – it is a fundamental shift in how products are conceived, designed, and manufactured. As AI applications expand beyond hyperscalers and consumer devices to industrial and automotive sectors, companies like Avnet are positioning themselves to support engineers with the necessary tools, expertise, and supply chain solutions.
For engineers looking to stay ahead, understanding AI’s evolving role and leveraging solutions designed to address security, compatibility, and efficiency will be key. The future of engineering is increasingly intelligent, and AI is at the heart of this transformation.
Click here to read the latest Avnet Insights survey.
