HOUSTON — In an industry where innovation is a constant race, the 3DExperience Conference in Houston served as both a roadmap and a crystal ball into the future of engineering, design, and manufacturing. Hosted by Dassault Systèmes, the conference showcased cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven design, digital transformation, cloud-based collaboration, and automation.
From the grand entrance bathed in SolidWorks’ signature red to the buzzing exhibition floor filled with engineers, product designers, and industry leaders, the air was thick with a sense of purpose. The event made one thing clear: The era of artificial intelligence in design and manufacturing is not coming—it has arrived.
A Vision of AI-Driven Engineering
The day began with a keynote address by Manish Kumar, CEO of SolidWorks, who stepped onto the stage amid an enthusiastic audience. “I hope you are seeing red everywhere,” he quipped, referencing the brand’s bold color scheme, but also signaling a shift in thinking—one where AI, automation, and simulation will redefine product development.
His speech set the tone for what was to come: AI-infused enhancements to the design process, an increasingly intelligent software ecosystem, and a new wave of generative design tools that will alter how engineers approach problem-solving.