Dassault Systèmes, a leading French multinational software company, is pioneering a new era in industrial design and manufacturing with the introduction of AI-powered virtual companions. These tools aim to streamline processes, accelerate innovation, and bridge the gap between virtual and real-world operations.
Generative AI for Enhanced Efficiency
The company has developed virtual assistants named Marie, Leo, and Dominic—each designed for specialized tasks. Marie focuses on answering scientific inquiries, Leo tackles engineering questions, and Dominic provides real-time information relevant to events like the Mobile World Congress. According to Florence Verzelen, executive vice president at Dassault Systèmes, these companions will “give superpowers to people working at customer premises,” enabling them to resolve challenges faster.
Virtual Twins: The Core of Innovation
Dassault Systèmes’ strategy centers around virtual twins : digital replicas of physical products and processes. This approach allows companies, such as automotive manufacturers, to test designs, engineering solutions, and manufacturing plans in a simulated environment before physical production. The goal is to optimize designs for performance, sustainability (reducing CO₂ emissions), and efficiency—all before a single physical component is created.
Connecting Virtual and Real Worlds
The integration of virtual twins with generative AI (Gen AI) enables companies to adapt quickly to regulatory changes, accelerate R&D, and discover new materials faster. By optimizing manufacturing processes in the virtual world, real-world production can become quicker and more sustainable. This synergy between the virtual and real worlds facilitates the exchange of data and insights, accelerating real-world progress.
Concerns About Industry Adoption
Despite the potential benefits, Verzelen expressed concern that some companies may be slow to adopt this technology, potentially falling behind competitors. The industry needs to act decisively to leverage the full power of these AI-driven tools.
The industry is on the cusp of a transformation where virtual worlds can drive real-world innovation. However, rapid adoption is critical to avoid being left behind.
By linking virtual and real worlds, Dassault Systèmes’ approach promises to redefine industrial efficiency, sustainability, and breakthrough innovation.
