In recent years, artificial intelligence has been transforming the way companies innovate and launch new products on the market. From initial research to final testing, AI is redefining traditional processes, offering powerful tools to accelerate time-to-market, enhance personalization, and reduce costs. Several industry reports, including McKinsey and Roland Berger, highlight R&D as one of the most promising areas for AI adoption.
At Intellico, we strongly believe that AI can make a fundamental contribution to this strategic business area and to all creative-decision processes involved.
Abbiamo portato quindi il nostro punto di vista a SMAU London, tra i principali spazi dedicati all’innovazione e alla tecnologia per le imprese e i professionisti. Dopo l’edizione 2024 su Milano, siamo stati presenti anche a Londra, nella splendida cornice dei Protein Studios, grazie alla sponsorship di ITA – Italian Trade Agency
An international environment for exchange, also covered by media outlets such as Fortune Italia and Repubblica, which highlighted how Italian startups are increasingly focused on practical and effective AI applications.
Why is AI crucial in new product development?
Innovation is often a race against time. In a constantly evolving market, being the first to respond to consumer needs can make all the difference. AI stands out as a strategic ally for several reasons:
- Time-to-Market Acceleration
Thanks to advanced analysis tools, companies can quickly identify emerging trends and market opportunities. AI automates activities like testing, drastically reducing development time. - Personalization
Predictive algorithms allow for consumer data analysis to create products more aligned with their needs. For example, in services, AI-based platforms help craft proposals and promotions tailored to individual preferences. - Cost Reduction
AI enables virtual simulations and testing, reducing the need for physical prototypes and minimizing waste. It can also process a significant number of alternatives, exponentially increasing the options analyzed. - Design-by-reuse
Similarity algorithms can quickly compare past designs, images, and documents, suggesting how to respond to new demands based on already validated solutions.
Intellico Success Stories: AI in Action
Intellico’s solutions cover the end-to-end new product development process. Below are some application examples across various sectors:
- Chemical/Cosmetic
Platforms like MATILDE (an innovative AI solution) allow R&D teams to optimize formulations by analyzing thousands of ingredient combinations in minutes. This approach reduces the time required to obtain the perfect formula while ensuring high-quality results.
- Engineer-to-Order
Grapho4Tender uses generative AI to analyze tender specifications and technical documents, quickly generating customer proposals and helping companies identify critical areas for negotiation.
Discover more: Cut time-to-market: a case study on tender management in the manufacturing sector
- Design
GraphoDesign supports prototype design by facilitating the consultation of archives of images, texts, and technical documentation — from industrial sectors (e.g., matrices) to fashion (prototyping).
Discover More: Faster and Better – AI use cases for ETO/MTO companies
- Retail/Services
Solutions like Grapho for Upselling analyze customer preferences by studying transaction history, allowing for personalized offers that boost conversion.
Discover more: Improve the conversion rate with AI – Grapho4Upselling for the banking insurance sector
Not Just Technology
Integrating AI into the product development process profoundly transforms the traditional workflow, with data at the center of innovation.
Thanks to advanced models, it is now possible to extract, combine, and interpret data from both structured and unstructured sources, such as documents, emails, and conversations. Predictive AI analyzes historical data and identifies patterns, while generative AI allows for scenario simulation and solution suggestions based on available information. This combination enhances adaptability and continuous learning.
This opens up new opportunities for collaboration, as well as new practices and services based on virtual experimentation.
However, introducing AI requires a cultural shift and adequate team training, so that they can understand and manage the technology’s potential. For Intellico, adopting an AI solution is not just about implementing software — it’s about strategically rethinking all the involved processes.
Conclusions
Artificial intelligence is not just a technological tool — it is a strategic lever for innovation.
Companies that integrate it into industrial and product development processes can gain a significant competitive advantage, accelerating time-to-market, personalizing solutions, and reducing costs across the entire value chain.
If your company is also interested in discovering how AI can transform your industrial and product development processes, contact us for a personalized consultation.
Sources:
(1) McKinsey, The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value, May 30, 2024
(2) Roland Berger, Unleashing the power of AI in R&D
