Edge AI: Are You Ready to Lead?
Edge AI is fundamentally reshaping how engineers build intelligent systems, forcing a complete reevaluation of everything from operating systems to programming languages. In short, the embedded world is experiencing its biggest transformation since the rise of IoT.
A new report from VDC Research, in conjunction with Arm, reveals just how dramatically the IoT edge computing landscape is shifting. Over 50% of IoT engineers surveyed plan to adopt open-source operating systems within three years, while the use of NPUs like Arm Ethos is expected to nearly double. But perhaps most telling is the fact that, next to cost, lack of experience ranks as the top challenge facing development teams as they navigate this new frontier.
The great embedded Awakening
For decades, the embedded market thrived on fragmentation. Dozens of specialized operating systems, predominantly C-based development, and highly tailored solutions ruled the day. That era is ending.
Today’s edge devices must handle sophisticated AI workloads while maintaining the reliability, security, and real-time performance that embedded systems demand. This dual requirement is driving unprecedented change:
- Modern workloads demand modern tools: Python usage is surging as developers tap into AI frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow
- Rich operating systems are displacing RTOSs: Linux adoption is accelerating as engineers need the ecosystem depth that open source provides
- Heterogeneous compute is becoming the norm: Complex SoCs with multiple CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs are replacing single-purpose processors
The Arm advantage in an AI-first world
The research highlights why Arm continues to lead in this transformation. Over two-thirds of engineers expect to use Arm architecture in their projects within three years – a testament to the platform’s unique combination of power efficiency, scalability, and ecosystem support. And nearly 60% more IoT engineers expect to use Arm over legacy architectures in the next three years.
But it’s not just about the silicon. VDC’s survey reveals that Arm consistently rates highest among semiconductor providers for software tools that reduce complexity and accelerate development.
What this means for your next project
The implications are clear: organizations that fail to adapt to edge AI requirements risk being left behind. The report identifies key areas where development teams must evolve:
Tool Selection Is Critical: With 67% of Arm-based designers citing tool availability as a key factor in processor selection, having the right development environment isn’t optional – it’s strategic.
Future-Proof Architecture Matters: The accelerating pace of change means betting on closed, proprietary platforms is increasingly risky. Scalable, standards-based architectures provide the flexibility to evolve.
Ecosystem Depth Drives Success: As workloads become more complex, access to mature libraries, frameworks, and development tools becomes a competitive advantage.
Download the full report
This is just a glimpse of the comprehensive insights available in VDC Research’s complete report on Edge AI trends and challenges. Based on a global survey of 275 edge AI decision makers and in-depth interviews with key IoT product development organizations, the report provides actionable intelligence for navigating the shift to intelligent edge computing.
Download the full VDC Research Edge AI Report
Discover how leading organizations are addressing edge AI challenges, what technologies are driving the biggest transformations, and why the choices you make today will determine your competitive position tomorrow.
The edge AI revolution is here, and you want to lead it. Make sure you’re equipped properly.
Any re-use permitted for informational and non-commercial or personal use only.
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