Technology & Innovation

Artificial intelligence and design innovation to shape technology hardware in future, reveals new EIU research sponsored by HONOR

December 10, 2018

Global

  • More than any other emergent trend, artificial intelligence (AI) will be crucial to hardware manufacturing innovation, according to tech industry executives
  • Product design innovation will be the chief beneficiary of AI’s spread
  • Advances in materials science could make flexible smartphones ubiquitous by 2020, seven in ten survey respondents believe—with AI potentially playing a major role
  • Much of this is due to the role of “design thinking”, which will grow in importance in the technology industry
The ability of AI to analyse data in its burgeoning volumes and various forms has enabled technology firms to design ever more user-friendly features into smartphones and other devices. Technology executives point to AI over other trends like 3D printing and virtual reality as having a beneficial impact on manufacturing innovation in the coming five years, according to a new report released today by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
 
The white paper , sponsored by smartphone brand HONOR, is based on the findings of a survey of 325 technology hardware industry executives based in major manufacturing countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Germany and the US. They have high hopes in AI as an agent of change in their industry, allowing for leaps in product design enabled by clearer and more efficient prioritisation of customer needs.
The research was conducted as means of providing guidance about the future trends in technology manufacturing in 2019 and beyond. With shifting consumer landscapes and fast-changing innovations challenging the technology industry like never before, this new research will add clarity to an increasingly complex ecosystem.
 
Consumer technology product design may take striking new turns in future, with advances like flexible screens in smartphones potentially ubiquitous by 2020, according to 70% of the survey respondents. AI may play a role in the rise of such jumps in design innovation, by enabling a vast increase in the power to analyse and optimise the novel materials compounds necessary for flexible gadgets. Much of the motivation behind these advances is due to the rise of “design thinking”, a highly iterative approach to product development which puts a central focus on users’ challenges and needs and is growing in importance in the technology hardware industry, according to 82% of survey respondents.
 
Michael Gold, EIU editor of the research, said, “Flexible screens are only one among many potential new innovations that might emerge in technology hardware from AI adoption. As hardware producers look to get ahead of the competition by integrating cutting-edge technologies into the manufacturing process, integrating design thinking and keeping up with the latest advances in AI and its impact on product design will be crucial going forward.”
 
The full report is available to download 
 
Press enquiries:
Jusnita Chang, senior marketing manager, content solutions, Asia-Pacific
+65-6428-2659
 
Michael Gold, senior editor, thought leadership, Asia-Pacific
+852-2585-3886
 
About The Economist Intelligence Unit:
The Economist Intelligence Unit is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. The Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information can be found at  or .
 
About HONOR:
HONOR is a leading smartphone e-brand under the Huawei Group. In line with its slogan, “For the Brave”, the brand was created to meet the needs of digital natives through internet-optimised products that offer superior user experiences, inspire action, foster creativity and empower the young to achieve their dreams. For more information, please visit HONOR online at .

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