LEGAL

Government Affairs

Autodesk public policy and government engagement

Autodesk advocates for public policies around the world that enable people to design and make a better world for all. 

Autodesk's software and technology are used across three industries –from architecture and engineering to construction, product design to manufacturing, and from media to entertainment–creating new paths to efficiency, sustainability, and growth and transform how things are made.

Our customers use our tools to design and make the greenest buildings, the cleanest cars, the most resilient infrastructure, the smartest and most advanced factories, and the most amazing stories and games using visual effects. We work with governments to promote policies that empower innovators to make the new possible.

 Meet the team.

Policy Recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration and the 117th Congress

We look forward to working with the new Administration and Congress to help construction, manufacturing and other key industries weather the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild the economy, give people the skills needed for the evolving job market, support sustainable development and promote economic opportunities for all.

  • Read our policy recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration and the 117th Congress.

Explore our policy priorities

Infrastructure and innovative construction

Ambitious infrastructure investments are needed to bolster economic growth and improve quality of life as our global population grows. Digital design and construction technologies can help design and build more innovative, cost-effective, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure, water systems, and buildings.

Building information modeling (BIM)

Throughout the world, major building and infrastructure projects tend to be characterized by delays and cost overruns. With rapid population growth and accelerated urbanization, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that worldwide energy consumption will double by 2050. We believe policies that support more coordinated processes through digital technology use –such as Building information modeling (BIM)–will help governments meet their future needs, effectively use public funds, and support sustainable outcomes for our communities.

The digital transformation of the global construction sector is accelerating-thanks to the increased adoption of government BIM policies. Governments around the world are introducing policies and national programs that encourage the use of digital technologies, standards, and digital skills to advance national policy goals. These goals include driving higher levels of construction productivity, greater value for public infrastructure spending, and enabling net zero and climate resiliency ambitions. 

Autodesk is a proud member of The Global BIM Network which connects international public sector representatives, multi-lateral organizations, and public infrastructure funders to advance the digitalization of the global built environment. Learn more about it here.

Protecting consumer privacy and fostering emerging technologies

Maintaining our customers’ trust in the security and privacy of their data/information is important to Autodesk. The software that helps the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment sectors thrive on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and data analytics. For example, Autodesk is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve safety on construction sites and to design more energy efficient and sustainable products. We are also committed to protecting the privacy of personal data and to using customer data to deliver insights and value back to them— not as a product to sell to others.

We support technology policies that create strong consumer-focused privacy rules, enhance consumer trust, enable innovation, and promote global trade in technology products and services.

Bolstering advanced manufacturing

New technologies like generative design, subtractive and additive manufacturing (3D printing), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics are radically changing the manufacturing industry. They are breaking down walls that have long existed between digital design and the physical manufacturing process, allowing for faster, more sustainable, and more cost-effective development and fabrication of innovative products, while also improving supply chain resilience.

We support policies that promote manufacturing research and development and provide manufacturing firms of all sizes access to digital and advanced manufacturing technologies and a skilled workforce.

Advancing sustainable construction and manufacturing to tackle climate change

We envision a low-carbon future with minimal pollution and waste, where renewable energy powers our world and materials maintain value while cycling through a circular economy. We equip our customers with technologies to better understand the impact of design, construction and manufacturing decisions can have on energy and materials use. Digital tools can simulate options and provide analytics and track energy objectives and support a “climate-first” design approach for manufactured products, buildings, and infrastructure of the future.

We advocate for public policies that promote digitalization which is critical to achieve climate goals by increasing transparency and providing actionable insights to drive better environmental outcomes. We support policies to foster use of technology to design and construct sustainable infrastructure and buildings that produce less waste, limit the use of carbon-intensive materials, and improve energy efficiency, including embodied carbon reporting and reduction policies.  We partner internationally with other businesses, advocates, as well as broader market-based efforts to tackle climate change.

Learn more about how Autodesk is inspiring sustainability for design and innovation.

Supporting the transition to the Future of Work promoting work and prosperity through skills development

Workers face an evolving economy and must adapt to new ways of working, including adoption of new technologies that are transforming industries. The private sector needs to increase training efforts, but significant government investment in digital skills training and workforce development is also required given the scale of this challenge. We support policies that help workers take advantage of the new jobs and tasks that technology will create and broadly share the gains of technology across all racial and income groups.

We believe that strong government investment in making the workforce future-ready is critical. Governments should prioritize training for industries critical to economic vitality, including construction and manufacturing, supporting public and private investment in quality short-term learning and upskilling, and funding career and technical education.

We’re putting people at the center of the future of work transformation by investing in our employees, customers, and communities. We are also committed to helping our customers upskill their workforce and prepare the next generation of employees for the future. Autodesk Education is an expansive program that supports students, teachers, and academic institutions worldwide with free access to Autodesk software and online learning opportunities. We also support a Membership Training Provider Program which is a collaboration between Autodesk and the national leadership of major North American trade unions.

Promoting equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion

Autodesk is committed to building a diverse workplace and inclusive environment in our company and in the industries we support. To achieve this, we have established public strategic priorities and set measurable targets to attract a diverse workforce, expand leadership diversity and foster a culture of belonging. We also work to help develop a more diverse workforce across the industries we support, and provide opportunities for workers from underrepresented groups, through education and training programs. We support policies that promote safe, fair, and equitable workplaces free from discrimination, increase opportunity and diversity in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields, and enable the U.S. to attract a diverse pipeline of workers.

Learn more about how Autodesk is building a diverse workforce and a culture of belonging.

Corporate political contributions

Autodesk does not have a Political Action Committee (PAC) and does not contribute corporate funds to candidates or the political committees they control in Federal, state or local elections, and does not contribute corporate funds to state or local political party committees. The Company does not engage in any direct political contributions to 527 groups or independent expenditures. Rarely, and only if aligned closely with our public policy priorities, Autodesk will engage with 501(c)4s or on ballot measures. Below is a list of our engagements since 2018 which is updated semi-annually.

  • “Faster Bay Area” - a group of policy, government, business, transportation and community leaders supporting the creation of a seamless, reliable, modern transportation future for the region. (2019)
  • “United for Infrastructure” – a partnership with government, labor unions, the business community, associations, and think tanks working to educate the American public and policymakers about the importance of infrastructure to the nation’s economy, workers, and communities. (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)

Autodesk’s Code of Business Conduct

Autodesk’s Government Affairs Policy

Trade associations, think tanks & other organizations

Autodesk joins industry associations, trade groups, coalitions, professional associations, and similar organizations to advance company interests and public policy goals. Our participation in these organizations does not indicate that we endorse or support all the policy positions they or their members choose to take. 

Click here to see our memberships.