Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), in collaboration with Accenture, today released a new report titled “Artificial Intelligence in Aerospace and Defense,” offering a comprehensive analysis of how automation and artificial intelligence (AI) can help the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry overcome a series of mounting challenges.
“The aerospace and defense industry is at a defining crossroads. AI is no longer optional; it’s essential,” said Tim White, AIA’s Vice President of Engineering and Technology. “Strategic investment in enterprise AI is already unlocking powerful gains in efficiency and operational excellence, all while reinforcing our commitment to delivering safe, high-quality products. AIA’s new report provides a clear roadmap to help our industry harness AI’s full potential and turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s breakthroughs. This is more than innovation—it’s transformation in action.”
“A&D organizations need to modernize to stay competitive. By using AI in their core operations, companies can reinvent the nature of work while also driving innovation and efficiency. This strategic change is crucial for the industry to maintain its leadership in global security and economic growth,” added John Schmidt, global A&D lead at Accenture.
As the A&D sector navigates a complex landscape marked by limited capital availability, aging information technology infrastructure, and a rapidly evolving workforce, the report provides timely insights and actionable strategies for industry leaders. These include:
- Building a strong digital foundation
- Embedding AI into operational processes at scale
- Establishing an AI-ready workforce
The report draws on expert perspectives and real-world case studies to illustrate how AI can be a transformative force in addressing capacity constraints, modernizing legacy systems, and bridging critical workforce gaps.
The report also highlights the urgency of addressing institutional knowledge loss and the high costs associated with hiring and training new talent. With employee tenure decreasing and job complexity increasing, AI offers a path forward to augment human capabilities and preserve critical expertise.
Read the full report here.
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