AEC INNOVATE Agenda

Our optional AEC A.I. Foundations Workshop has proved so popular, we're presenting it twice on Wednesday before the main event starts on Thursday. Our Wednesday afternoon option is sold out but spots remain for the morning option. Both presentations deliver the same valuable content and interactive exercises. 

New to the rapidly advancing applications of A.I. in AEC and ready to establish a fundamental knowledge base? You’re not alone!

Add AEC A.I. Foundations Workshop to your event registration, and on the afternoon before the full Summit opens you’ll get rapidly up to speed on the core terms, issues, challenges and opportunities of this rapidly advancing tech. This half-day primer session is perfect for AEC senior leaders, executives, and firm owners.

• We begin with an Executive Overview to Navigating Opportunities and Challenges of A.I., setting the stage for beginners and those with some experience.
  
  
• Then we jump into Generative AI's Impacts on AEC, where we explain specific influences of A.I. on your sector.
  
  
• Finally, you'll apply what you've learned in our interactive segment, Accelerating your AEC Firm through Generative A.I. which features hands-on training with A.I tools. Here, we demonstrate and practice using prompts to create relevant content, offering tangible insights into how it can revolutionize your firm's operations and creative processes.
  

New to the rapidly advancing applications of A.I. in AEC and ready to establish a fundamental knowledge base? You’re not alone!

Add AEC A.I. Foundations Workshop to your event registration, and on the afternoon before the full Summit opens you’ll get rapidly up to speed on the core terms, issues, challenges and opportunities of this rapidly advancing tech. This half-day primer session is perfect for AEC senior leaders, executives, and firm owners.

• We begin with an Executive Overview to Navigating Opportunities and Challenges of A.I., setting the stage for beginners and those with some experience.
  
  
• Then we jump into Generative AI's Impacts on AEC, where we explain specific influences of A.I. on your sector.
  
  
• Finally, you'll apply what you've learned in our interactive segment, Accelerating your AEC Firm through Generative A.I. which features hands-on training with A.I tools. Here, we demonstrate and practice using prompts to create relevant content, offering tangible insights into how it can revolutionize your firm's operations and creative processes.
  

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

Does your firm have a plan to embrace the benefits of A.I. to execute projects? If not, 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 every firm was spending money to tackle essentially the same technology obstacles and that there might be a more efficient way for us to remain relevant.

This inspired 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 long-term goal 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. Learn what we have done thus far, what we have planned for the future, and suggest what you believe we should tackle next.

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 

Cory Brugger, Chief Technology Officer, Partner, HKS, Inc and 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.

Archana Ramachandran, Director, RoundhouseOne and
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)

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.
  

The future of AEC depends on turning disruption into opportunity. For our luncheon keynote, we are honored to present Autodesk AI/ML Team Leader Racel Amour for a look at what's new in AECO Design and Make, including Autodesk Forma, artificial intelligence, and announcements across our portfolio, as well as a celebration of the customers who are tackling the headlines in real-time. Racel leads an AI and Machine Learning Team at Autodesk focused on AEC workflows. With a Master's degrees in Architecture and Human-Computer Interaction, her work as a Research Scientist at Georgia Tech focused on leveraging Augmented Reality and Game Engines for the AEC industry. In 2013, she joined Autodesk where she worked on teams to design and build multiple next generation tools such as Formit and Dynamo to help customers automate tasks and work more efficiently. Her focus now is to build next generation Generative AI tools that will dramatically change how architects and engineers design the built environment. From automating workflows to generating new designs, the future of AI in AEC will assist customers in building human-centered, data-driven spaces and places.

New machine learning tools can 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, 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 designers when developing new building projects as well as by architects engaged in the development of abstract or schematic outlines for building projects. Join CodeComply.ai's Matt Foley to learn how the ability to adapt machine learning and AI theory to the plan review process is now a reality.

Niknaz Aftahi is the CEO and founder of aec+tech, a 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. In this breakout session, we explore  near-horizon cutting-edge AI tools poised to revolutionize the AEC space, unveiling how these innovations are reshaping design, engineering, and construction processes for enhanced efficiency and creativity.

For sectors with intricate processes and multidisciplinary operations such as AEC, the promise of digital transformation is not merely about introducing new tools; it’s about revolutionizing the way work is done. We have an opportunity to create a vastly different narrative. AI can be seen as a collaborator, not a competitor. It can augment human abilities, streamline processes, and bring forth efficiencies that were once science fiction. 

Imagine a world where designs are optimized in real-time based on environmental data, where predictive maintenance can preemptively identify and resolve issues before they escalate, and where resources – both human and material – are aligned with impressive precision. These are the realities being shaped today through digital transformation, supported in part by AI. 

However, like all transformative journeys, the digital transformation path is non-linear and fraught with challenges. Join AEC technology thought leader to learn how to leverage AI to identify the right strategies, drive top-line revenue growth, attract top talent, ensure alignment between resource availability and workloads, deliver improved training, and adapt to new modes of work, especially in a hybrid environment.   

Scott Steiding is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in the AEC industry, having held pivotal roles in sales, marketing, operations, and corporate communications for firms in Europe and North America. His expertise in implementing and managing scalable technology driven systems for business development and operational success uniquely positions him to help firms understand, adapt, and thrive in this exciting period. Scott is the President of Productive Pursuits, a consultancy focused on developing people, processes, and technologies to achieve impressive results. 

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!

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 and author of BIM for Building Owners and Developers. He is a frequent lecturer at Georgia Tech and is a sought-after subject matter expert, speaking worldwide on BIM and the built environment. He was also the General Manager of ATDC at Georgia Tech, one of the oldest technology incubators in the country.

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.

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

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.

Josh Levy, Co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch, an AI-assisted contract intelligence platform tailored for the AEC industry, shares how firms 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. You learn how to:  
 

• Enable your team to measure data and make meaningful decisions that reduce future risks and improve overall profit margins.    
• Identify the benefits of AI for the AEC industry while also emphasizing why human intelligence with these tools will always be crucial.   
• Optimize the contract review process, improve communication, and streamline workflows through team-based practices. 
• Answer the question, “How can I make contract data intelligence work for me?”

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

Natalia Castro, Chief Operating Officer of SaltzMichelson Architects, gives us strategies to harness the power of digital technologies and AI to enhance operational efficiency and reduce overhead costs. We 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. You 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. Learn how to: 

• Identify key areas of your operations where AI and digital solutions can reduce overhead costs and drive efficiency
• Leverage digital and AI tools to optimize project management, resource allocation, and decision-making processes
• Implement these solutions effortlessly without disruption to you current operations