Moderator: Peter Devereaux, IDC Board Chair, Founding Principal at HED Architecture and Engineering
With Brad Lukanic, CEO at CannonDesign, Brooke Grammier, Principal & CIO at CannonDesign, and Wendy Rogers, CEO/CTO at LPA, Inc.

Concerned that your firm lacks a plan to embrace A.I. to execute projects? You're hardly alone. The AEC industry has lagged in digital transformation, with methodologies for delivery to customers remaining essentially the same for more than a century. 
The AIA Large Firm Round Table (LFRT) noted that each of our firms were spending money to tackle essentially the same technology obstacles and that there might be a more efficient way for us to remain relevant. That led to the formation of the Innovation Design Consortium (IDC),  a public benefit corporation, with an initial investment of $2,000,000 made by forty of the largest design firms in the United States to advance building design technology.
In this eye-opening panel, IDC members share how your firm can benefit from new tools, and the IDC's project is to organize and curate a database from its member firms that can serve as the data source for any number of Artificial Intelligence engines being developed today. Learn what we have done thus far, what we are planning to do in the future, and you will have the opportunity to discuss and suggest what you believe we should tackle next.

Creating the built environment always been a heady mix of science and art, analysis and judgement, objective and subjective, and the measurable versus the ineffable. Once upon a time, humans--nominally assisted by machines— mixed, balanced, or simply chose one side or the other. Yale School of Architecture Associate Dean and Professor Phil Bernstein leaves with his brilliant insights into the new questions arising from the advancement of AI in AEC. As our machines move from the mere automation of tasks to autonomous action that seems to produce human results, how will our work as the designers, constructors, and users of built assets change? Can we expect to be augmented or eliminated by our AI-driven counterparts? He examines the evolution and implications of artificial intelligence for the AEC process, and suggest strategies for how to best partner with our evolving digital overlords.

About Phil:
Phil Bernstein is an architect and technologist who has taught at the Yale School of Architecture since 1988 and where he received his B.A and M.Arch. He was a Vice President at Autodesk where he was responsible for setting the company’s future vision and strategy for BIM technology. Prior to Autodesk Phil was a principal at Pelli Clarke and Partners Architects where he managed many of the firm’s most complex commissions including projects for the Mayo Clinic, Goldman Sachs, and Reagan Washington National Airport. He is the author of Machine Learning: Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (2022), Architecture | Design | Data – Practice Competency in the Era of Computation (2018) and co-editor of Building (In) The Future: Recasting Labor in Architecture (2010 with Peggy Deamer), and consults, speaks and writes extensively on technology, practice and project delivery. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council, and former Chair of the AIA National Contract Documents Committee.

The pace of change in AI is both exciting and daunting, as new developments and breakthroughs are being made at an unprecedented rate. With each passing day, we see more advanced and sophisticated AI systems, such as Midjourney, DALL-E2, and ChatGPT, which serve as pivotal elements reshaping the landscape of AEC practices.

Leading AI technology consultant and former Autodesk AI lead Mehdi Nourbakhsh takes us into the profound implications of AI on the future of design. You’ll gain insights into how to equip your firm for the era of disruption and discover actionable strategies for harnessing this transformative technology to your advantage.

• Gain valuable insights into the fast-evolving AI trends and the latest
  market applications.
• Learn the new role of AEC professionals in the age of AI.
• Understand how to develop an AI strategy aligned with your business
  strategy.
• Learn how to start your AI journey the right way.

About KP:
KP Reddy is the Founder and CEO of Shadow Ventures, a seed-stage technology investment firm. He is a globally recognized authority in AEC environments, AI, robotics, automation, mobile applications, and cloud computing. KP is a Civil Engineer by background (BS, Georgia Institute of Technology) and wrote the textbook on BIM with his book: BIM for Building Owners and Developers. He is a frequent lecturer at Georgia Institute of Technology and is a sought-after subject matter expert, frequently speaking worldwide on BIM and the built environment. KP has exited three technology companies. Cereus Technology Partners which had an IPO on NASDAQ and has since sold to Verso (NASDAQ:VRSO) at a 35x Multiple, RCMS which was sold to ARC (NYSE:ARC), and Ampirix (sold to The Combine). KP formerly ran Enterprise Transformation at Gehry Technologies (started by world renowned architect Frank Gehry) which exited to Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB). He was also the General Manager of ATDC at Georgia Tech, one of the oldest technology incubators in the country.

Microsoft's Copilot has made a splash on the AEC industry, but what's their next step in applying artificial intelligence to the design and engineering of the built environment? Prior to joining Microsoft as Director and Technology Strategist in the AEC vertical, Ajoy Bhattacharya was Senior Director of Innovation and New Technology for Suffolk Construction's tech incubator. Join your colleagues for this fascinating look at:

Where Microsoft’s Generative AI strategy for OpenAI is headed, and how it will improve AEC project execution
How Gen AI works, and the key factors AEC CIOs must consider when choosing which Gen AI to test
Organizational Change Management approaches for implementing new Gen AI
The AEC CIO's playbook for adopting Gen AI.

About Ajoy:
Ajoy Bhattacharya is a Director, Technology Strategist at Microsoft, specializing in assisting companies within the AEC industry. He brings a unique perspective extensive experience in driving innovation and technology advancements in construction, most recently at Suffolk Construction. Ajoy has spearheaded transformative changes within organizations, resulting in improved efficiency, reduced costs, and the advancement of strategic objectives. His remarkable skill lies in rallying stakeholders across the organization to embrace IT initiatives, demonstrating how IT effectively addresses business challenges.  

Ajoy holds an M.B.A. in Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Management from Boston University complementing his 25 year career in managing technology and innovation teams. 

Kleingers Engineering CEO Tim Casto P.E. and Senior Multimedia Designer Ilyas Nashid unfold the practical intersection of A.I. and Extended Reality (XR) in AEC by clarifying concepts and showcasing their tangible benefits in enhancing operations and client experiences.

• A.I. in Design and Urban Planning: Learn where A.I. can aid in design and planning and offer innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Client Experience Enhancement with VR/AR: What are the new ways virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are improving AEC client's experience and enhancing understanding and engagement?
• Facilitating Remote Collaboration with AI and XR: Learn the role of AI and XR in facilitating remote collaboration with a focus on AI-enhanced communication tools.

About Tim:
Tim Casto, PE, CEO and President of The Kleingers Group, is not just a seasoned engineering professional, he's a trailblazer who embraces technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, to revolutionize operational business practices. Tim's passion lies in reimagining how technology can enhance efficiency, creativity, engagement and effectiveness in the industry.

With a keen eye for innovation, Tim masters the art of securing funding from public agencies and delivering top-tier civil engineering services. His extensive knowledge and forward-thinking approach positioned him take on the role of city engineer for multiple municipalities, where he spearheaded infrastructure development and elevated the quality of life for residents.

Nirva Fereshetian, Principal and Chief Information Officer at CBT Architects, shares her insights on how to execute smarter tech adoption and avoid emerging threats posed by AI. With 200+ architects on staff, her team's tech decisions have to satisfy multiple stakeholder imperatives while achieving internal productivity and client-facing project execution goals. Hear how to keep your strategy pointed in the right direction!

About Nirva:
Nirva Fereshetian leads the Digital Design Practice Group at CBT Architects and is responsible for aligning business technology strategy to meet primary business objectives. She is a highly skilled senior information technology leader, experienced in managing projects and people with an interdisciplinary background in architecture, construction, and technology. She brings capacity to bridge that knowledge to enable informed business decisions and increased productivity. Nirva holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Catholic University and a Masters of Architecture from UCLA.

Microsoft Copilot will be on every windows computer and web browser, so get a first look at the latest AI breakthrough for the AEC industry. This session cuts through the hype to show you the real potential of Copilot in AEC applications. You learn how to integrate AI effectively in both business and project execution. Learn about how Copilot can help develop an AI policy and engage in dynamic discussions and practical exercises. Transform your business with AI to innovate, reduce costs, speed up projects, and gain a competitive edge. Join us to navigate the AI landscape and shape the future of your firm.

• Understand the integration of Microsoft Copilot in AEC business operations and project execution.
• Learn how Copilot aids in developing effective AI policies for your firm.
• Explore the impact of Microsoft Copilot on workflow efficiency, cost reduction, and project acceleration.
• Engage in practical exercises and discussions to master the use of Copilot in your AEC firm.
• Develop strategies to leverage AI for innovation and competitive advantage

About Frank:
Frank Lazaro is a seasoned executive and inventor, holding several U.S. Patents for business process design. He has over 25 years of sales, marketing, technology, and strategy experience across various industries.
His passion for technology, creating products, developing services, and marketing initiatives that build revenue and drive profitable growth has allowed him to build highly effective teams and grow revenue.
In his most recent role, Mr. Lazaro is Director of Client Services at Corporate Environmental Risk Management, a minority-owned small business, leading the marketing and business development, technology and innovation, customer service, and marketing operations in support of our client-centered solutions that provide program management and technical services to transportation, water, facilities, energy, environmental and federal clients across southeast U.S. Specific service offering include Environmental Management, Engineering and Testing, Surveying and Mapping, Program Management, Construction Management, Water Resources Management, and Remediation and Contracting.

Co-presenting with Mark Miller, FAIA, CEO, RoundhouseOne

How can AEC firms use AI & 3D driven dashboards to optimize costs and control environmental impacts? RoundhouseOne shares its learnings on deploying an AI & 3D powered analytics product to let firms optimize their bottom line

We’ll breakdown how architects, engineers, contractors and owners can leverage existing AI tools to unlock efficiencies and understand complex asset & cost data. We will share how even small teams can augment their workflow using AI – based on our own learnings as a small firm comprised of architects (MKThink parent company) & technologists leveraging AI. This talk will empower AEC teams to realize how they can achieve high user performance while often building less through design & AI technology.

 You learn: 

• How architects, engineers, contractors and owners can leverage existing AI tools on BIM data to unlock internal & client efficiencies
• How complex asset & cost BIM data can easily be understood by team members using AI & 3D visualization
• How AI & analytics can help make better decisions to reduce or avoid costs
• How AI driven analytics can enable healthy & high performing users of buildings & sites
• How architects & technologists can collaborate to leverage AI
• How to create repeatable dashboards to understand costs of building & land data (BIM)

About Archana:
Archana is a skilled professional with expertise in embedded systems, robotics, and business, holding 12 patents in computer vision. She leads Roundhouse One as Director, focusing on delivering actionable insights from architectural, cultural and environmental data, transforming it into Spatial Intelligence that makes places better. Her work aligns with public health and safety solutions such as air quality analytics, density heat mapping, and movement pattern analysis, particularly relevant during the COVID-79 pandemic and wildfire seasons. With a Master's in Embedded Systems from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, she also actively supports women in robotics and technological innovation.

AI promises so much in productivity gains, but is your AEC firm prepared to balance sky-high expectations with the very real challenges and risks? Justin Webster, Chief Technology Officer at AEC titan HDR, knows that effectively leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning isn’t for the faint of heart, yet it is critical to the future of our industry. He explains:

• How HDR mitigates the risks when the applying new AI technology
• Why transforming your people is more important than transforming your tech stack
• Foundation prep steps you MUST take before adopting any AI tool
• The impact of AI on the AEC business model and how we get paid
• Data ownership, sharing, and quality standards you might not be thinking about
• Key IP and security challenges that AI is unleashing
• Why a consortium approach to AEC industry data is the best solution

About Justin:
Prior to joining HDR, Webster was vice president of innovation strategy at LPL Financial in Omaha, Nebraska. He also served as director of TD Ameritrade’s exploration lab and worked for the financial giant for nearly eight years.

Webster earned a bachelor’s degree in information systems from Doane College and a master’s in management information systems from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  

About Niknaz:
Niknaz is the CEO and founder of aec+tech, a community-driven database and platform connecting AEC/O professionals with the latest tools and technologies. With a background in architecture in the Bay Area, California, she has served as both a design professional and a design technology director. Niknaz is passionate about innovation in the AEC space and has been a keynote speaker at various events. She is a member of the AIA San Francisco design technology committee, and has also been developing curriculum and teaching architecture courses online to Bahai students in Iran who continue to be deprived of access to universities in their own country.

Co-presenting with Heath May, Global Practice Director, Partner, LINE, HKS, Inc.

Learn how HKS has structured investments in technology at an organizational level to position their teams for present and future testing and application of AI and ML. Hear their journey and what they are learning--through experimentation and pilot initiatives--about the possibilities, the limitations, and the different use cases for integration of AI in a design firm.

About Corey:
Cory Brugger is a Partner and Chief Technology Officer at HKS. He is an industry recognized expert in the development and integration of innovative technology in architecture and the built environment. As CTO he directs the vision and team dedicated to the development and deployment of advanced technologies and new processes for design and construction.

Moderator: Peter Devereaux, IDC Board Chair, Founding Principal at HED Architecture and Engineering
With Brad Lukanic, CEO at CannonDesign, Brooke Grammier, Principal & CIO at CannonDesign, and Wendy Rogers, CEO/CTO at LPA, Inc.

About Wendy:
As CEO and Chief Talent Officer of LPA Design Studios, Wendy Rogers leads an integrated design team with more than 400 architects, engineers, landscape architects and interior designers focused on a collaborative, research-driven design process. Under her leadership, LPA has grown as a diverse, transparent, independent firm, setting new standards for sustainable, high-performance projects. In 2021, LPA was honored with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) California’s Firm Award, recognizing its contribution to architecture, industry-leading work on energy performance and inclusive firm culture.
Wendy started her career as an intern at LPA and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2017. As CEO, she handles the day-to-day operations of the firm, with a special focus on increasing the role of LPA's proprietary research unit, LPAred, and expanding LPA's collaborative culture. As Chief Talent Officer, she is also responsible for initiatives to retain and attract people who want to grow and make a difference in the built environment.
A graduate of California Polytechnic State University in Pomona, California, Wendy is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Fellow of the AIA.

Co-presenting with Archana Ramachandran, Director, RoundhouseOne

How can AEC firms use AI & 3D driven dashboards to optimize costs and control environmental impacts? RoundhouseOne shares its learnings on deploying an AI & 3D powered analytics product to let firms optimize their bottom line

We’ll breakdown how architects, engineers, contractors and owners can leverage existing AI tools to unlock efficiencies and understand complex asset & cost data. We will share how even small teams can augment their workflow using AI – based on our own learnings as a small firm comprised of architects (MKThink parent company) & technologists leveraging AI. This talk will empower AEC teams to realize how they can achieve high user performance while often building less through design & AI technology.

 You learn: 

• How architects, engineers, contractors and owners can leverage existing AI tools on BIM data to unlock internal & client efficiencies
• How complex asset & cost BIM data can easily be understood by team members using AI & 3D visualization
• How AI & analytics can help make better decisions to reduce or avoid costs
• How AI driven analytics can enable healthy & high performing users of buildings & sites
• How architects & technologists can collaborate to leverage AI
• How to create repeatable dashboards to understand costs of building & land data (BIM)

About Mark:
Mark R Miller, FAIA, LEED AP is the creative, inventive and entrepreneurial founder and chairperson of the pioneering companies MKThink, RoundhouseOne and newly Ocean Plant. His professional efforts are dedicated to creating intelligent places that improve the human condition sustainably. 
In addition to founding and leading these companies, Mark is the lead innovator for 20 patents related to improving the health and environmental performance of the building industry. Mark also founded and led the early rounds of venture-backing of the high-performance green modular building company Project FROG. Additionally, he has an impressive history serving multiple corporate leadership roles, including Founder, Chairman, and CEO positions, steering a range of enterprises to commercial and industry-respected success. 
Mark was elected to the class of 2016 College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. 
Trained as an architect and urbanist, Mark excels at generating and connecting building, environment, human behavior, and technology thought leadership – particularly for strategic assignments that require integrated creativity, vision, and practical implementation.

In an interactive session, we will explore strategies for AE firms to harness the power of digital technologies and AI to enhance operational efficiency and reduce overhead costs. We will delve into real-world case studies, discuss the latest tools, and best practices that can be implemented to streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and reduce expenses. Participants will gain insights on how to leverage AI and digital solutions to optimize project management and decision-making processes, ultimately leading to a more efficient and cost-effective operations.

1.)      Learn how to identify key areas of your AE firm operations where AI and digital solutions can be applied to reduce overhead costs and drive efficiency.
2.)     Learn how to leverage digital and AI tools to optimize project management, resource allocation, and decision-making processes.
3.)     Explore real-world case studies
4.)     Learn how to implement these solutions effortlessly without disruption to you current operations. 

Co-presenting with Seyedomid Sajedi, Associate AI/ML Engineer of CORE Studio, Thornton Tomasetti

About Alexandra:
Alexandra is the Senior Director of CORE Studio at Thornton Tomasetti. With a focus on research and development, CORE Studio is the firm’s virtual incubator of ideas and provides a valuable interface among design and construction teams, developing new workflows and processes that promote collaboration and enhance building design. A registered Architect and technologist with 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, Alexandra has contributed to a diverse range of projects, from small-scale renovations to super-tall towers, while also providing strategic leadership for both existing and emerging technologies.  She is currently serving on the Virginia Tech School of Architecture Advisory Board and is on the leadership committee for the AIA TAP (Technology in Architecture Practice) knowledge community.

Moderator: Peter Devereaux, IDC Board Chair, Founding Principal at HED Architecture and Engineering
With Brad Lukanic, CEO at CannonDesign, Brooke Grammier, Principal & CIO at CannonDesign, and Wendy Rogers, CEO/CTO at LPA, Inc.

About Brad:
Brad grew up as the son of a contractor and never recognized a silo between builders and architects. Today, he oversees our global design firm that encompasses architecture, engineering, consulting, physical asset management, software solutions and modular design.
He harnesses innovative and ground-breaking ideas within CannonDesign and drives forward a firm—founded in 1945—that continues to accelerate, command and propel design as a cross-disciplinary disrupter. 

Expertise

• Producing our firm's strategic framework that considers a changing world by understanding the future, then planning for it
• Identifying individual talents that go beyond traditional A/E/C to build a stronger firm and an enduring legacy
• Creating environments that positively enhance the design process for lifelong learning and discovery

Pursuits

• Partnering with our people to do more, to see where (and how far) we can take this firm together
• Believing in the power of design
• Caring deeply about the planet he's leaving to his three curious sons

Moderator: Peter Devereaux, IDC Board Chair, Founding Principal at HED Architecture and Engineering
With Brad Lukanic, CEO at CannonDesign, Brooke Grammier, Principal & CIO at CannonDesign, and Wendy Rogers, CEO/CTO at LPA, Inc.

About Brooke:
For business, for society, for design ingenuity—technology is a remarkable tool. That’s Brooke’s philosophy, and she works to manifest it in our work each day.
One of the most proven and dynamic leaders in the design technology profession, Brooke ensures our technology infrastructure and knowledge are best-in-class and differentiate our ability to empower clients. She leads our teams as they develop, enhance and implement multi-platforms solutions that connect built and virtual environments in profound ways.
A catalyst for change, Brooke is deeply engaged in leading the design industry forward and keeps herself and those she works with at the leading-edge of technological possibilities. She's continually pushing what's possible with the Internet of Things, automation through machine learning and artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, data-informed practices and visualization and application development.

Co-presenting with Cory Brugger, Chief Technology Officer, Partner, HKS, Inc.

Learn how HKS has structured investments in technology at an organizational level to position their teams for present and future testing and application of AI and ML. Hear their journey and what they are learning--through experimentation and pilot initiatives--about the possibilities, the limitations, and the different use cases for integration of AI in a design firm.

About Heath:
Heath May is a Partner at HKS. He is the Global Practice Director of HKS LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration), a studio dedicated to exploring materiality, process and tool sets. He has worked on a variety of building types and projects including hospitality, commercial, corporate, sports, mixed-use and retail facilities.

Co-presenting with Alexandra Pollock, AIA, Senior Director of CORE Studio, Thornton Tomasetti

About Seyedomid:
Seyedomid Sajedi is an Associate AI/ML Engineer at CORE Studio, Thornton Tomasetti, where he studies and creates AI-powered applications for the AEC industry. Prior to joining CORE Studio, Sajedi worked as a structural engineer and later pursued his Ph.D. in earthquake and structural engineering at the University at Buffalo SUNY. During his doctoral studies., Sajedi did research on autonomous structural health monitoring with a particular emphasis on the safe integration of AI in engineering workflows. Apart from contributing to CORE.AI's structural design engines, Sajedi has experience designing custom deep learning architectures in the areas of computer vision, vibration analysis, and natural language processing to support different practices at Thornton Tomasetti.

Machine learning tools are currently being developed to review floor plans and quickly identify items that do not comply with ICC or NFPA Codes and Standards. Versions of these tools with limited capability have previously only been available to members of the design community using computer-aided design and drafting tools (CAD); however, new technology is now available to review architectural drawings in PDF formats, integrate with online permit submittal processes, and support the plan review process at an AHJ level. These same approaches can be used by developers when contemplating concept ideas for new building projects as well as by architects engaged in the development of abstract or schematic outlines for building projects. The ability to adapt machine learning and AI theory to the plan review process is an exciting concept that is now a reality.

About Matthew:
Matthew is an Associate Principal with SLS Consulting, LLC and a Co-Founder with CodeComply.Ai. Matthew previously worked as a Research Project Manager at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and has a background in large-scale fire testing, fire incident data, and life safety consulting. He assists clients in the A/E/C industry in various phases of design for compliance with local, state, and national codes and standards.

In this presentation, Josh Levy, Co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch, an AI-assisted contract intelligence platform tailored for the architecture, engineering and construction industry, will explore how firms in this sector can leverage data from their legal and design documents to quickly understand, track, and negotiate fairer contract terms and mitigate risks across their portfolio of work. By leveraging the insights obtained from the data, AEC professionals are empowered to make timelier, well-informed decisions that improve project success and profitability. Attendees will learn how to:  
1.    Enable your team to measure data and make meaningful decisions that reduce future risks and improve overall profit margins.    
2.    Identify the benefits of AI for the AEC industry while also emphasizing why human intelligence with these tools will always be crucial.   
3.    Optimize the contract review process, improve communication, and streamline workflows through team-based practices.  
4.    Answer the question, “How can I make contract data intelligence work for me?”

About Josh:
Josh Levy currently serves as the CEO of Document Crunch, a contract intelligence platform for the AEC industry. With a strong leadership background and expertise in construction law, Josh co-founded Document Crunch to bring his extensive experience to the field. Throughout his career, he has worked for top-ranking construction firms and led departments with annual revenues of $1 billion.

Josh graduated with honors from the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. He also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami, graduating with high honors. These educational achievements, coupled with his professional experience, have shaped his vision for Document Crunch and his desire to raise the standards of our industry.

Under Josh’s leadership, Document Crunch is on a mission to empower everyone in the AEC industry to know what’s in their contracts. With a focus on innovation and excellence, the company strives to make a positive impact and drive industry-wide improvements. Josh Levy’s expertise, combined with his passion for transforming how the industry mitigates risk, uniquely positions Document Crunch as a trailblazer in the design and construction tech space.