Embedded electronics has always been at the cutting edge of innovation, and this is particularly true with the adoption of the latest generation of emerging technology and, specifically, AI. Several leading GenAI-backed platforms are already being widely integrated in this specialist market. In this blog, we explore how these tools are impacting the UK sector and embedded electronics roles of the future.

AI everywhere

While AI has existed for decades, it’s only recently with the emergence of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot, and Nvidia’s wonderfully named Megatron-Turing system that innovation and wider adoption has really taken off. AI is no longer confined to a handful of experts around the world, it’s now used at a far broader level than ever before and across almost every major industry in one form or another. These platforms have set a new benchmark in areas like natural language processing (NLP), enabling capabilities such as real-time documentation, problem-solving, and even basic coding. Their use cases extend far beyond general applications and into technical domains, such as embedded systems, and beyond.

Within our specialist market of embedded electronics specifically, several ECAD industry tools, including Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro and Siemens Xpedition, that many readers will utilise on a daily basis, are also increasingly adopting LLMs.

This evolution is moving ECAD software from being focused on traditional design-centric work to the next generation. The latest AI-backed iterations of these tools have the ability to offer intelligent assistance as well as newer automation and collaboration features. They can essentially act as virtual co-designers and provide schematic validation and design recommendations based on the vast arrays of data they are built on. And one core benefit that many readers will have gained from is their ability to expedite the entire development process by offering more intelligent, and faster, debugging and boosting simulation accuracy.

AI in embedded electronics management

And it’s not just technical platforms that are increasingly leveraging – and benefitting from - the power of AI. Managerial tools, like IBM’s Engineering Workflow Management (EWM), Jima and Polarion are also adopting LLMs, albeit in slightly different ways. These models are enabling more accurate and data-backed decision-making and reducing the time it takes to produce project summaries, compliance documentation and other often lengthy tasks. It also allows for more effective task allocation amongst engineers and for teams to gain from cross-disciplinary insights, which helps to bridge gaps between hardware and software teams. Put simply, AI is reshaping many of the tools that the entire market is built on.

Put simply, AI is reshaping many of the tools that the entire market is built on and helping to support businesses and clients with more scalable, informed and efficient operations.

Embedded electronics roles

But what impact is this change having on future skills requirements for embedded electronics roles?

The growth and increasing adoption of LLMs will firstly drive the need for more hybrid skill sets amongst embedded electronics engineers. Employers will increasingly value candidates with a blend of traditional embedded electronics expertise and AI fluency along with attributes in the likes of machine learning, model integration and more. At a more acute level, those with an expert understanding of programming languages suited for AI integration, like Python and TensorFlow, will likely be in good stead. They will be best placed to capitalise on the need for these skill sets and find themselves in significant demand as employers seek professionals who can help them capitalise on market opportunities. The positions of managers are also likely to evolve; a deep proficiency in AI-enabled tools will become a minimum requirement, and leaders will increasingly have to act as strategic AI advocates who can understand workflows and champion process improvements across different departments.

As well as adapting existing skills requirements, we will also see the emergence of entirely new roles. These have recently included the likes of AI integration engineers, workflow analysts and data specialists who ensure that LLM tools have access to accurate and real-time information. When these changes are combined, it’s clear to see that the market is set for further major change.

We’re only at the beginning of the AI-journey and it’s likely that LLM tools will adapt embedded electronics roles in ways we can’t fully appreciate yet. While the core of embedded engineering roles will remain the same, many responsibilities will likely shift, freeing up engineers' time from more arduous and time-consuming tasks, and enabling them to focus their efforts on more strategic and valuable roles.

These combined efficiencies will act as a force multiplier for UK innovation and could reduce design and project life cycles to new, unprecedented levels. It’s an exciting time for embedded electronics in this country, and engineers will need to ensure they keep their skills up to date in order to capitalise on the best opportunities.

Get in touch with our expert team to find your next embedded electronics role.

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