# AI Built to Work Alongside Your 3D CAD Workflow Explore the SOLIDWORKS approach to AI, with executive insights on data security, human oversight, and contextual AI. ![SOLIDWORKS AI Executive](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/webp/public/2026-08/solidworks-executive-ai-hero-banner.jpg.webp) ## AI Built for SOLIDWORKS Engineers Artificial intelligence is transforming product development, but successful adoption requires more than new technology. Hear directly from SOLIDWORKS executives as they share the company's vision for practical, engineer-focused AI, including the role of human expertise, data security, and the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions. Explore these thought leadership videos to better understand how AI is shaping the future of design without changing what makes engineers indispensable. ### The SOLIDWORKS Approach to AI [![In frame - Suchit Jain - explaining SOLIDWORKS AI](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/bg_large/public/2026-08/SOLIDWORKS-Engineering-Needs-More-than-Generic-AI-SOLIDWORKS-AI-Thumbnail.jpg.webp)](https://youtu.be/Eti401tKAK8?si=T-1npvRCtOeqwYsL) For nearly three decades, SOLIDWORKS has empowered engineers to achieve more through innovation and productivity. [SOLIDWORKS AI](https://www.solidworks.com/product/solidworks-design/ai-overview) takes this mission to the next level by embedding advanced AI capabilities directly into the tools you already trust. The SOLIDWORKS approach to AI rests on three convictions. First, AI works best as a companion—sitting beside you, guiding your decisions and surfacing best practices exactly when you need them. Second, AI must be contextual. Because it lives inside the SOLIDWORKS Design workflows, it understands the faces, features and assemblies you're working on, delivering relevant suggestions for parts, assemblies and drawings. Third, security sits at the front and center of everything we build. SOLIDWORKS AI streamlines the design process from concept to manufacturing, reduces time-consuming manual work and brings fragmented engineering knowledge back into your CAD workflow, so you can focus on solving complex problems and bringing superior products to market faster. ### SOLIDWORKS AI Is Not Replacing Engineers [![SOLIDWORKS CEO Manish Kumar in screen speaking about SOLIDWORKS AI](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/bg_large/public/2026-08/solidworks-Can-AI-Replace-Engineers-SOLIDWORKS-AI-Keeps-Humans-in-the-Loop-thumbnail.jpg.webp)](https://youtu.be/hZNw0tSWok8?si=4noBgm2S8AeNts9I) A human always stays in the loop with SOLIDWORKS AI, so design intent and accuracy stay intact. AI is just an engine. You are the driver. SOLIDWORKS AI amplifies human creativity, judgment and expertise rather than replacing it. As a mechanical engineer, for example, you create things that people's lives depend on, which is why a human must always remain in the loop. Every output still requires your expert decision-making to maintain accuracy, uphold design intent and preserve integrity. By eliminating mundane, repetitive tasks, SOLIDWORKS AI frees your time for what engineers do best: generating ideas, exploring more design options, and solving the problems that matter most. This doesn't commoditize your value, AI expands it, acting as a force multiplier. You become an empowered expert, equipped to deliver higher-quality designs, make better decisions and discover entirely new ways of working. ### AI Data Security at SOLIDWORKS [![SOLIDWORKS CEO Manish Kumar speaking](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/bg_large/public/2026-08/Can-You-Trust-SOLIDWORKS-AI-with-Your-Designs-video-cover.jpg.webp)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jky1N4Z32L0) Security and privacy are the foundation for all our SOLIDWORKS AI driven tools. We know your intellectual property is the most valuable asset you possess. Your designs and models are the money in your bank, and we treat ourselves as the bank in charge of protecting those assets. **SOLIDWORKS AI models are trained only on proprietary or synthetic data, and not on client data.** SOLIDWORKS does not use proprietary customer data to train AI models without explicit written permission. Your IP remains yours alone and will never be used to benefit another business. Every algorithm is engineered to respect confidentiality, keeping your proprietary designs protected against unauthorized access. We adhere to the Dassault Systèmes Trust Center's rigorous guidelines on AI security and data privacy. For the most current and comprehensive policies, refer directly to the - [**3D**S Trust Center](https://www.3ds.com/trust-center/trusted-ai/ai-based-functionality-intended-purpose). ### Meet Your AI Companions [![Gian Paolo Bassi, SVP of Mainstream Innovation at Dassault Systèmes, speaking](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/bg_large/public/2026-08/Can-SOLIDWORKS-AI-Think-Like-a-Design-Engineer.jpg.webp)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn2zhSe5XDA) Modern product engineering demands speed, precision, intelligence, and decision-making at every stage of development. [SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions](/product/solidworks-design/ai-virtual-companions) AURA, LEO and MARIE answer that demand by placing an AI-powered technical expert directly inside your design environment, helping reduce complexity while increasing your design efficiency. Think of an AI Virtual Companion as a knowledgeable specialist working right beside you within your existing design process. It helps you learn new skills, guides you through optimization tasks and when directed, completes work on your behalf. You remain in control of the design decisions and design changes. AI Virtual Companions' capabilities work in collaboration with your CAD workflows without pulling you away from the tools you already know. ## Start Designing with SOLIDWORKS AI Today If you have SOLIDWORKS Design with Cloud Services or a named user license, you already have access. Don't wait—put SOLIDWORKS AI to work and help shape what comes next. ![SOLIDWORK AI Executive page - in screen](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/webp/public/2026-08/SOLIDWORKS-Executive-AI-bottom-banner.jpg.webp) - [Get started with SOLIDWORKS AI](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/community/swym:prd:R1132100503382:community:52/wiki?content=swym:prd:R1132100503382:wikitree:RDDBh2eTQguds9JP-Jcv4A) ### Learn more about SOLIDWORKS AI and Virtual Companions ## Frequently Asked Questions #### What is SOLIDWORKS AI, and what does it do for CAD designers? --- SOLIDWORKS AI is a suite of intelligent, engineering-specific capabilities built directly into SOLIDWORKS Design. It combines embedded AI features—like Command Predictor, Generative Drawings and Auto-Fastener Recognition—with natural language Virtual Companions (LEO and AURA) to automate repetitive tasks, accelerate documentation and surface smarter design alternatives without leaving your workspace. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, SOLIDWORKS AI is context-aware. It understands your active session, your parts, your assembly structure and your engineering workflows—giving it a meaningful advantage over prompt-only AI-driven tools. The result is a force multiplier that helps engineers move faster from concept to manufacturing-ready output. #### Does SOLIDWORKS AI train on customer data or use proprietary designs? --- No. SOLIDWORKS AI doesn't train on customer data at any point. AI models are trained exclusively on proprietary SOLIDWORKS data and synthetically generated datasets—never on client files, designs or intellectual property. When you interact with SOLIDWORKS AI, your session data is used locally to inform responses, but it's never shared with other tenants or used to improve the underlying model. SOLIDWORKS adheres to the Dassault Systèmes Trust Center's rigorous standards for AI security, privacy and governance. For full details on data handling protocols, visit the - [3DS Trust Center](https://www.3ds.com/trust-center/). #### How does SOLIDWORKS AI's Generative Drawings feature speed up manufacturing documentation? --- Generative Drawings in SOLIDWORKS Design automatically create structured 2D drawing layouts—including views, dimensions and annotations—directly from your 3D CAD model using a natural language prompt through the LEO Virtual Companion. Engineers can define the size, format, template and primary view before generation, then refine the output through rapid iteration without manual drafting. #### Why should engineers use SOLIDWORKS AI instead of a general-purpose AI tool? --- SOLIDWORKS AI is purpose-built for engineering workflows—it doesn't just respond to prompts, it understands your full 3D design context, including your 3D model, assembly structure, drawings and data. General-purpose AI-powered tools only have prompt context. SOLIDWORKS AI has engineering context, and that difference determines the quality of every output it produces. #### How can I start using AI in SOLIDWORKS? --- All commercial SOLIDWORKS Design Offer and SOLIDWORKS Design with Cloud Services customers will have access to SOLIDWORKS Virtual Companions (AURA and LEO) and their AI-powered competencies and skills with no additional license required. AI usage is measured through a - [consumption model using Tokens](https://www.solidworks.com/solution/ai-tokens). View the - [getting started guide](https://www.solidworks.com/solidworksaiguide) to learn how to access and utilize the SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions. #### Where can I learn more about SOLIDWORKS AI? --- We offer a variety of resources to help you get started and learn more about SOLIDWORKS AI. - For an overview of all core materials on SOLIDWORKS AI, from product design to how we train our AI systems: - To deep dive into how the SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions work to bring intelligence and design efficiency into your existing workflows: - To explore the AI Tools that you can apply today as part of your design process: - For information about how to buy SOLIDWORKS AI Tokens to power automation and optimization with the AI Virtual Companions: ## Bring AI Into Your Engineering Workflow SOLIDWORKS AI is already improving productivity today. Request a demo to learn more or get started with the - [guide to Virtual Companions](https://www.solidworks.com/solidworksaiguide). ### Request a demo See how you can increase productivity, design more compelling products, and be more cost-effective. - [Request a demo](/how-to-buy/request-a-demo) ### Buy Online Ready to purchase? Visit the online store to buy now. - [Buy online](/how-to-buy/solidworks-solutions) ### Getting Started Own a license and want to use SOLIDWORKS AI? Visit the Getting Started page to learn how you can take advantage of SOLIDWORKS AI. - [Get started](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/community/swym:prd:R1132100503382:community:52/wiki?content=swym:prd:R1132100503382:wikitree:RDDBh2eTQguds9JP-Jcv4A) # Have Questions about SOLIDWORKS Design? We can help you determine the best option for your team. ![Customer support people answering questions - SOLIDWORKS](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/webp/public/migration/2024-04/solidworks-3d-cad-footer-banner.jpg.webp) - [Request a demo](/how-to-buy/request-a-demo-3dexperience) - [Call +1 (781) 810-5011](tel:1-781-810-5011) SOLIDWORKS AI 3D CAD Tools Built for Engineers- [](mailto:?subject=https://www.solidworks.com/solution/solidworks-ai-executives-explain-ai-cad-tools) - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.solidworks.com/solution/solidworks-ai-executives-explain-ai-cad-tools) - [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.solidworks.com/solution/solidworks-ai-executives-explain-ai-cad-tools) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.solidworks.com/solution/solidworks-ai-executives-explain-ai-cad-tools)