Perforce Releases 2025 Automotive Software Report: AI Adoption, Safety Priorities, and Code Complexity Challenges

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Perforce Software has unveiled the 2025 State of Automotive Software Development Report, shedding light on key industry trends. This year's findings reveal a rise in AI adoption, persistent challenges related to code complexity, and a stronger focus on safety over security.

embedded.com, Mar. 13, 2025 – 

For 49% of respondents, safety ranked as the primary concern in AI-driven vehicle development. As functional safety standards guide many teams, additional considerations must be taken when incorporating AI, given its inherently non-deterministic nature. AI is now a driving force in autonomous vehicle design for 42% of automotive professionals—a 9% increase from last year—and is influencing at least some components in connected vehicles (41%). Among the top applications of AI/ML, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) led the way, followed by In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) components.

While last year’s report indicated security had overtaken safety as a primary concern, the rapid adoption of AI/ML in connected and autonomous vehicle development has placed safety back at the forefront in 2025. Automotive software professionals increasingly recognize that high-quality code plays a critical role in ensuring both safety and security. However, managing code complexity remains a significant challenge, particularly for engineers with less than three years of experience. Among respondents, 57% with less than a year of experience and 45% with one to three years identified code complexity as their top concern, whereas those with over five years of experience (37%) cited testing resources as their biggest quality-related challenge.

Beyond technical hurdles, broader market conditions—including the global economy and competitiveness—continue to shape industry priorities. A recurring theme throughout the report highlights a focus on optimizing existing resources (49%) and upskilling current talent (42%). To address code complexity, developers are increasingly turning to static analysis tools to uphold software quality and ensure compliance with industry standards such as MISRA and ISO 21434. The report found that 30% of teams prioritize software quality enhancements through static analysis, version control, and continuous testing methodologies.

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