Tech Mahindra, MIT Highlight AI in Sustainable Design
Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM), in collaboration with MIT Technology Review Insights, has released a joint report highlighting how enterprises can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to drive sustainability in product design and development. The report emphasizes that organizations integrating AI into design and prototyping processes will gain a strong competitive advantage.
The study reveals that AI adoption in product development is steadily growing, yet most enterprises remain in the exploratory phase. Full-scale implementation is still limited due to high costs, limited expertise, and fast-changing market conditions. Meanwhile, businesses face mounting regulatory demands and societal expectations to minimize their environmental footprint while continuing to innovate.
Narasimham RV, President – Engineering Services, Tech Mahindra, said, “Enterprises today are under increasing pressure to innovate while reducing their environmental footprint. At Tech Mahindra, we empower enterprises to achieve this by embedding AI into the earliest stages of product development through tools like digital twins, simulations, and rapid prototyping. The joint study with MIT Technology Review Insights reinforces the importance of measurable, AI-driven frameworks that reduce emissions and help businesses future-proof their models responsibly.”
Importance of the Design Stage in Sustainability
The research underlines that nearly 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined during its design phase. Therefore, AI-powered solutions such as digital twins, simulations, and rapid prototyping become critical enablers of sustainable design. These technologies allow enterprises to optimize for performance, manufacturability, and environmental impact simultaneously. As a result, organizations can reduce waste, emissions, and the use of natural resources.
Additionally, AI-driven models provide a way to accelerate prototyping cycles while maintaining precision. By adopting these methods, businesses not only reduce environmental harm but also improve speed-to-market and cost efficiency. Consequently, sustainability becomes an essential driver of innovation rather than a barrier to progress.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Although the opportunities are clear, the study also identifies several challenges. Enterprises often face customer confusion about what qualifies as a sustainable product. In addition, frequent changes in regulations and standards create uncertainty. Organizations also struggle with a shortage of specialized sustainability talent and the lack of clear, measurable metrics to track progress.
The joint report stresses that overcoming these challenges is possible through structured, AI-led frameworks. With the right approach, enterprises can transform sustainability into a source of long-term resilience and growth. Moreover, they can align innovation with environmental responsibility, contributing positively to both business and society.
