on the new MacBook Pro m1 is it possible to install apps like matlab and autocad?

Ask the makers of Matlab and Autocad if their apps will run on an M1 chip.

I'll start you off by linking to hthttps://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-AutoCAD-2020-including-Specialized-Toolsets.html

autocad's system requirements.

In general, EVERY well-behaved Mac Application that runs on Big Sur will run on Apple-Silicon M1 by using Rosetta-2 emulation. [except BootCamp Assistant]

In some cases, you may find them slightly slower under emulation, but that is not a given.

When the developer gets around to it, they can issue a new version that is a "Universal binary". These Applications contain some Intel code and some Apple-Silicon code, and the Apple-silicon code will be selected at runtime and should run slightly faster on your Apple-Silicon processor.

[This was supposed to be a Reply to Michel_27]

Autodesk says they are working on an M1 version of AutoCAD for Mac. See this Autodesk forum post (no word on when):

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-for-mac-forum/compatibility-new-macbook-m1-chip/td-p/9876996

PS: The link to Autodesk for current system requirements for all versions of AutoCAD for Mac (Intel based Mac) is:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-AutoCAD-for-Mac.html (When you click on a particular version, you need to scroll down past the Windows requirements to get to the Mac requirements)

PPS: I saw a YouTube video of someone doing a quick test of the current AutoCAD for Mac (2021) using Rosetta-2 on an M1 Mac. Looks like it worked, but not a very comprehensive test.