AEC INNOVATE Speakers

In an industry overwhelmed with thousands of technology solutions, how can AEC firms effectively discover, manage, and measure the impact of their tech stack? How can firms confidently navigate the complexity of software adoption, track licenses and costs, and assess ROI? Niknaz Aftahi, founder of aec+tech, shares ways AEC companies track, evaluate, and adopt emerging technologies. From generative design to automation, aec+tech curates the latest innovations, helping firms stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape. This session will explore key challenges, innovative solutions, and a roadmap for firms looking to take control of their digital transformation. 

About Niknaz Aftahi

Niknaz started aec+tech as the first and only all-in-one platform connecting architecture, engineering, construction & operations professionals with emerging and disruptive technologies. Prior to launch, she practiced architecture both as a design professional and design technology lead. She enjoys helping AEC/O firms find the right tools and solutions related to their project scope and typology, by mapping the existing stack, finding gaps and inefficiencies, and optimizing the tech stack respective to identified gaps.

AI-powered technologies are revolutionizing water management, tackling critical challenges with innovation and efficiency. Ayman shares real-world examples of integrating machine learning, digital twins, and generative AI into operations to enhance decision-making, optimize resources, and improve stakeholder collaboration. Digital twins provide predictive insights for real-time water allocation and risk-based planning. One example features AI-powered dashboards enabling a water manager to optimize reservoir and groundwater withdrawals, balancing water availability and energy production. This multi-objective approach supports drought resilience and infrastructure sustainability. Generative AI further streamlines operations by automating complex tasks. A notable example is EKI's grant tracking tool, which uses AI to update data from over 160 website sources, saving time and improving accuracy. AI-powered business intelligence solutions also offer real-time dashboards for performance evaluation, investment planning, and resource allocation, delivering tailored, actionable insights. AI bridges gaps between technical experts and decision-makers, such as project managers and city engineers. Natural language processing dashboards enhance communication, simplify scenario planning, and support public engagement by making complex data accessible and integrating feedback, ensuring more transparent collaboration. This presentation highlights the importance of starting with pilot projects that focus on high-value, low-complexity applications, enabling scalable and adaptable solutions. By integrating AI into infrastructure design, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, the water sector can achieve greater sustainability, resilience, and innovation, unlocking the full potential of these transformative technologies.

• Understand the Role of AI in Water Management and Environmental Consulting
• Identify Practical Use Cases for AI
• Develop Strategies for Starting AI Projects
• Enhance Collaboration Using AI
• Plan for Sustainable AI Adoption

About Dr. Ayman Alafifi

Dr. Alafifi is EKI’s Innovation Lead and has over 15 years of experience in developing dashboards and decision support tools for water resources planning and management. Dr. Alafifi is a proficient data scientist and an expert in business intelligence, simulation and optimization of complex systems. He has successfully led multiple DST and dashboard development efforts that have guided multi-state and regional stakeholders to select and prioritize water supply and demand alternatives and watershed ecosystem restoration projects. He was the technical lead for multiple public and private sector simulation and optimization models to streamline the planning and operations of complex systems, facilitate prioritizing alternatives, and improve communication of modeling and planning outputs. Beyond his technical expertise, Dr. Alafifi has extensive experience in technology consulting, leading large modeling teams to improve data flow, quality control, visualization, and analysis for capital improvement projects and asset management plans.

Co-presenting with Jamison Morse, Principal, PVE, LLC

Compliance engineering is a complex and rapidly evolving aspect of the AEC industry, encompassing everything from facade and parapet inspections in New York City to decarbonization and code compliance across the nation. In this session, Jamison Morse and Sean Bailey of engineering firm PVE share how they are leveraging automation and AI to transform compliance processes into scalable, efficient, and cost-competitive services. Drawing on real-world examples, including custom tools that positioned PVE as one of New York City’s leading filers of facade reports, they demonstrate how applying AI to existing workflows—not reinventing the wheel—can drive immediate business impact without significant up-front investment. With an in-house innovation team collaborating closely with engineers, PVE’s solutions are built with a deep focus on usability, tested in the field, and designed to meet the real-world challenges of regulatory compliance. This session is highly relevant for AEC leaders exploring practical ways to incorporate AI into their business strategy. Learn how automation can reduce costs, scale operations, and even shift business models from billing by the hour to billing for value delivered.

• Understand the practical applications of AI to compliance-based engineering processes: Learn how to seamlessly integrate AI into existing compliance processes in structural, environmental, and civil engineering, making your business more efficient without heavy upfront investment or disruptive overhauls.
• Understand where AI is most impactful – and where it can fail: Based on real-world applications across AEC disciplines, you see where the current state of AI technology can be most impactful in existing business processes.
• Analyze proven case studies in inspection automation: Discover how PVE’s proprietary parapet and facade inspection tools propelled the firm to the forefront of New York City’s compliance market, demonstrating the power of automation to drive competitive advantage, scalability, and profitability.
• Design and deploy in-house innovation and technology expertise: Gain actionable insights into building internal technology teams that collaborate with engineers, ensuring software solutions are rigorously tested in the field and tailored to meet real-world compliance demands.
• Redefine product delivery and business models with automation and AI: Explore how automation can pave the way for value-based pricing models, moving beyond hourly billing to deliver scalable services that directly align with client outcomes and operational growth.

About Sean Bailey

Sean Bailey, Lead Software Developer at PVE, innovates in custom software solutions, leveraging his unique blend of technical and philosophical expertise to enhance the firm’s engineering and architectural projects. Sean’s forward-thinking approach has been key in introducing new efficiencies and capabilities, marking him as a critical driver of technology and innovation within the company. 

Leading Microsoft's AEC vertical, Ajoy Bhattacharya will showcase how Copilot and agentic AI are revolutionizing AEC workflows. This session explores Microsoft's latest technological advances specifically engineered for AEC professionals, demonstrating real-world applications that enhance design quality while reducing project timelines. Attendees will gain exclusive insights into upcoming Microsoft innovations that promise to transform how AEC firms leverage AI to stay competitive.

Key takeaways:

• Practical strategies for implementing Copilot within existing AEC workflows to boost productivity and creative output
• Case studies of leading firms achieving measurable ROI through Microsoft's agentic AI solutions
• Preview of Microsoft's upcoming AEC-specific AI tools and integration capabilities
• Roadmap for technology leaders to prepare their organizations for the next wave of AI-powered design and construction solutions

Designing in ever tighter timelines, optimizing space utilization, achieving sustainability goals, and managing real estate have become increasingly complex and challenging. Arcalogix AI has been designed as a unified AI-powered platform built to streamline design and operational tasks by creating a data-driven building environment. By autonomously generating and updating 3D Spatial Information Models (SIMs), Arcalogix AI allows for the creation of a holistic, always-up-to-date visualization of space and the assets within it, enabling users to design, optimize and operate spaces seamlessly. This consolidated view simplifies design decisions, enhances efficiency and ensures that users can access and act on critical data from a single interface, reducing complexity, cost and time. Join the startup's resident architect to see this breakthrough tool in action and gain new insights into emerging applications for the AEC industry.

Resource Allocation: How to reduce the typical early stage design and iteration phase from project commencement to producing 3D walkthroughs and visuals for your clients

Redesign Acceleration: How to rapidly satisfy client demands for design and layout changes

Time Shifts: How to turn time saved on redesigns into more meaningful client relationships that lead to increased engagement and revenue

As the water infrastructure sector continues to face unprecedented challenges, including climate change, workforce challenges, population growth, and aging systems, the integration of AI presents transformative opportunities. Mitch Dabling, Technology Director for HDR’s Water Business Group, takes us on a journey through his innovative technology initiatives, including those that leverage AI, to enhance operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and build a technology-enabled staff within HDR, with takeaways for any AEC professional serving any market sector. This engaging and interactive discussion reveals:

• How to approach technology initiatives at your AEC firm, with a look at proactive planning, data governance and security, and cross-organization collaboration recommendations.
• Case studies that illustrate when it’s appropriate to use commercial generative AI tools vs. building a sandbox environment.
• Tangible benefits of AI-driven solutions, including cost savings, enhanced service delivery, and improved regulatory compliance.
• Critical factors for successful AI adoption, including organizational readiness, workforce training, and stakeholder engagement

About Mitch Dabling

Mitch Dabling, PE is a technology leader with extensive experience in driving innovation and enabling engineering teams through the strategic deployment of technology and AI initiatives. As the Water Business Group Technology Director, Mitch has a deep commitment to leveraging leading-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency and drive business success. With a keen understanding of the latest advancements in AI and technology, Mitch has successfully implemented numerous initiatives that have significantly improved team productivity and project outcomes. Throughout Mitch's career, he has been instrumental in developing and executing technology strategies that align with organizational goals. Mitch's dedication to staff and engineer enablement is evident in his efforts to create a supportive and innovative work culture.

Your AEC firm’s strategic vision almost certainly has a commitment to keeping pace with the galloping advancements in design and business management tech. And wherever you are on the road to greater integration of digital workflows, you know that there’s no end point where you can say, “Done!” But progress can hindered or accelerated by how well you manage change and make smarter tech adoption decisions. Join us for this free-flowing examination of how some of the most successful design firms are tackling both of these issues with a candid examination of structural, process, and people impediments that must be overcome if our industry is to meet client demands going forward. We explore the human side of digital transformation with experiences of top executives who have successfully navigated organizational change while implementing new technologies and workflows. This panel will move beyond software selection to address the critical people aspects that determine whether digital initiatives succeed or fail, offering practical strategies based on real-world experience. In this session you will:

• Learn proven change management approaches to overcome staff resistance and build organization-wide buy-in for digital initiatives
• Discover effective methods for upskilling teams and fostering a culture of continuous innovation
• Understand how to balance immediate operational needs with long-term digital strategy implementation

About Peter Devereaux

Peter joined a small firm, Fields Devereaux, which grew to 175 people in three cities. In 2006, he merged Fields Devereaux with Harley Ellis, to form HED, at which he served as CEO until 2023. He is currently Chair of the Board of the Innovation Design Consortium, a collaboration between major design firms to accelerate and improve technology development and adoption in the AEC industry. Additionally, he served as a member of the Executive Committee of the AIA’s Large Firm Round Table.

Your AEC firm’s strategic vision almost certainly has a commitment to keeping pace with the galloping advancements in design and business management tech. And wherever you are on the road to greater integration of digital workflows, you know that there’s no end point where you can say, “Done!” But progress can hindered or accelerated by how well you manage change and make smarter tech adoption decisions. Join us for this free-flowing examination of how some of the most successful design firms are tackling both of these issues with a candid examination of structural, process, and people impediments that must be overcome if our industry is to meet client demands going forward. We explore the human side of digital transformation with experiences of top executives who have successfully navigated organizational change while implementing new technologies and workflows. This panel will move beyond software selection to address the critical people aspects that determine whether digital initiatives succeed or fail, offering practical strategies based on real-world experience. In this session you will:

• Learn proven change management approaches to overcome staff resistance and build organization-wide buy-in for digital initiatives
• Discover effective methods for upskilling teams and fostering a culture of continuous innovation
• Understand how to balance immediate operational needs with long-term digital strategy implementation

Are you ready to attack AEC projects from a new angle, applying breakthrough design technology to speed time to completion? Explore key learnings directly from one of Graphisoft’s key case studies. In this session, learn more about how this AEC firm explored the use of advanced modeling capabilities, BIM collaboration tools, and data-driven workflows to deliver high-quality, custom residential projects. This presentation will also highlight how to implement a design intelligence strategy leveraging early design concepts, AI and collaboration.

The AEC industry has lagged in digital transformation, with methodologies for delivery to customers remaining essentially the same for more than a century. Over a year ago, 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 supported by forty of the largest design firms in the United States to advance building design technology by eliminating duplication of efforts. Since Peter Devereaux and his fellow IDC board members rolled out the consortium at AEC INNOVATE in 2024, a lot has changed, and he and Brooke Grammier update us on IDC progress and reveal some exciting opportunities for AEC firms.
 

• Why the IDC was formed
• Successful Projects recently completed.
• Setting the Stage for Moving into Data and AI
• How firms can join the movement

About Brooke Grammier

One of the most proven and dynamic leaders in the design technology profession, Brooke ensures CannonDesign's technology infrastructure and knowledge are best-in-class. She leads 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. She also loves mentoring others and regularly speaks on tech, mentorship and career development.

Your AEC firm’s strategic vision almost certainly has a commitment to keeping pace with the galloping advancements in design and business management tech. And wherever you are on the road to greater integration of digital workflows, you know that there’s no end point where you can say, “Done!” But progress can hindered or accelerated by how well you manage change and make smarter tech adoption decisions. Join us for this free-flowing examination of how some of the most successful design firms are tackling both of these issues with a candid examination of structural, process, and people impediments that must be overcome if our industry is to meet client demands going forward. We explore the human side of digital transformation with experiences of top executives who have successfully navigated organizational change while implementing new technologies and workflows. This panel will move beyond software selection to address the critical people aspects that determine whether digital initiatives succeed or fail, offering practical strategies based on real-world experience. In this session you will:

• Learn proven change management approaches to overcome staff resistance and build organization-wide buy-in for digital initiatives
• Discover effective methods for upskilling teams and fostering a culture of continuous innovation
• Understand how to balance immediate operational needs with long-term digital strategy implementation

AI has staggering potential to improve the practice of design and engineering, yet many AEC leaders struggle to integrate it—not due to technical limitations, but because of static beliefs and organizational habits. Organizations are wired to resist change, and AI challenges long-established ways of thinking, our relationship to machines, and the value that professionals provide. Without addressing these deep-seated mental models, even the best AI initiatives risk facing resistance and stagnation. Ready to make a big leap forward, and pull your most talented colleagues along? A 25-year health care architect and firm dynamics expert explains how you can surface and shift perspectives to accelerate AI adoption. He shows us:

• What mental models are and how they shape decision-making in AEC organizations
• Your beliefs and assumptions that can either support or hinder AI integration
• Methods for identifying and adjusting limiting perspectives
• Strategies for fostering productive dialogue that encourages openness to AI-driven change

By the end of the session, you’ll see how mindset influences AI adoption and leave with practical approaches to overcome these challenges more effectively.

About Todd Henderson
With 25+ years of experience as a healthcare architect, Todd’s deepest professional satisfaction comes not from project work but from facilitating organizational improvement. Inspired by powerful schools of thought like lean, agile, and knowledge management, he gets unreasonably excited using what he’s learned to help the people around him experience greater ease in their work.

He is currently Director of Practice Improvement at Boulder Associates, a 240-person architecture and interior design firm with 8 offices.

Ready to move beyond the AI hype but not sure where to start? Get an insider look a 500-employee AEC firm Clark Nexsen's process for creating its AI strategy and how you can adapt it at your own firm. You'll learn how to establish an AI innovation hub, build internal support, and develop practical policies that work in the real world. We'll share our successes, challenges, and lessons learned as we built our approach to fostering responsible AI innovation. Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to formalize your existing efforts, you'll leave with actionable insights and practical steps to develop a cohesive, sustainable AI strategy for your organization. Learn how to:

• Develop a framework for evaluating AI implementation options ranging from off-the-shelf tools to custom solutions that align with your firm's resources and objectives.
• Create an AI roadmap that connects tactical activities to strategic goals while maintaining focus on your core mission.
• Design and conduct research that helps you understand both your employees' AI sentiments and current AI tool usage across your organization.
• Create clear, practical AI guidelines and usage labels that give your team the governance they need without limiting their innovation.
• Build a thorough risk and challenge assessment that helps you make strategic decisions about AI implementation in your firm.

About Ryan Johnson

A licensed Architect turned technologist with over 18 years of experience, Ryan believes technology shapes both the design process and built environment. He founded Clark Nexsen's Tech Studio and now leads the firm's Computation and AI Hubs within the CNCPT Collaborative, where he was instrumental in developing the firm's AI strategy. He specializes in implementing technologies that augment architectural design. His computational approaches have been key to many award-winning projects, demonstrating how technology elevates design excellence. A frequent speaker and thought leader, Ryan regularly presents at industry conferences and universities on topics ranging from practical AI implementation to computational design strategies in architecture. His expertise and leadership contributions include serving as the 2020 chair of The American Institute of Architects Technology in Architecture Practice (TAP) national Knowledge Community and chairing the National AIA Innovation Awards and Building Connections Conference. Ryan's contributions to the industry have been widely recognized, including being named in ENR's National Top 20 under 40. He continues to bridge the gap between traditional architecture and emerging technologies, proving that computational design and AI can enhance both the creative process and built outcomes.

From “F” IT to Innovation: How Little’s IT Team Transformed Frustration to ETC (Emerging Tech CoLab). A few years ago, Little’s IT team had a reputation—they were the department everyone groaned about. Outdated systems, manual processes, and constant technical hiccups caused frustration at every turn. But instead of staying stuck, they made a bold shift. By eliminating technical debt and automating their workflows, the team not only increased efficiency but also earned credibility across the firm. This trust enabled them to evolve into something much more powerful: a forward-looking team focused on improving delivery of their craft—the Emerging Tech CoLab (ETC). Now, they’re not just maintaining technology; they’re driving innovation that enhances design, streamlines processes, and pushes the firm forward.

More than just a tech overhaul, this is a story of cultural change, strategic growth, and IT’s evolving role in shaping the future of business. Whether you’re in IT, operations, or leadership, this session will leave you inspired and equipped with practical strategies to transform your own organization.In this session, Dan Knowles shares the behind-the-scenes story of Little’s IT transformation. You’ll follow the department’s journey from frustration to innovation, learning how they:

• Identified and tackled the technical debt that was slowing them down
• Built automation strategies that freed up time, reduced errors, and increased reliability
• Shifted from a support function to a strategic business partner
• Created the Emerging Tech CoLab (ETC) that benefits the entire firm

About Dan Knowles

Dan is Chief Technology Officer at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting. He is responsible for the strategic direction of Little’s technology and information resources, ensuring a safe and secure environment that supports the firm’s strategies, goals and priorities. With over 25 years in the AEC industry, he is focused on security and automation and is passionate about proactively seeking opportunities to automate processes to increase productivity and quality.

AI is transforming the AEC industry, but are you using it effectively—or falling into common pitfalls? Many teams unknowingly limit AI’s potential by making critical missteps that lead to inefficiencies, poor decision-making, and missed opportunities.

Join Eric Liou, Chief Product Officer at OpenAsset, as he draws on his deep AI expertise to uncover the top 5 AI mistakes teams make when adopting AI tools. From writing incomplete prompts to over-automating without human oversight, this session will challenge your assumptions and provide practical strategies to optimize your AI workflows.

Whether you're just getting started with AI or refining your approach, you’ll walk away with actionable takeaways to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and drive real results.

Learning Objectives:

• Master AI Prompting: Learn how to structure AI prompts effectively to generate high-quality, relevant responses—complete with real-world examples of good vs. bad
  prompts.
• Develop an AI Strategy: Understand why AI needs a clear business objective and how to align AI initiatives with company goals for maximum impact.
• Maintain Human Oversight: Recognize the risks of over-automation and establish quality
  control processes to ensure AI enhances rather than replaces human expertise.
• Improve AI Data Quality: Discover how data integrity directly impacts AI performance and learn best practices for maintaining high-quality, labeled datasets.
• Balance AI and Human Creativity: Explore how to leverage AI for efficiency while ensuring human storytelling and critical thinking remain central to your workflows.

About Eric Liou

Eric Liou is the Chief Product Officer at OpenAsset, the leading Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution for the AEC industry. With a strong track record of driving product innovation and growth, Eric brings deep expertise in leveraging technology and AI to deliver transformative solutions. Prior to joining OpenAsset, Eric has served in multiple product leadership positions, where he played a key role in advancing AI-driven solutions and shaping the company’s product strategy. His leadership in product development has consistently centered around empowering professionals with cutting-edge products that enhance efficiency, collaboration, and impact. At OpenAsset, Eric leads the company’s product vision & strategy and oversees the product management and design teams, focusing on building solutions that streamline workflows and
help AEC firms succeed. Passionate about innovation, he is committed to driving the next generation of AI-powered solutions tailored to the unique needs of AEC professionals. Ericholds a deep appreciation for the intersection of technology and user experience, always striving to create products that not only meet industry demands but also inspire new possibilities

AI is getting a lot of press in AEC circles for breakthroughs in iterative and generative design. But is your firms leveraging the “quick wins” that come from more basic, yet no less important, applications?

Shepley Bulfinch, a 200 person national architecture and design firm, has been running practical AI experiments to unlock knowledge, streamline workflows, improve data quality, and improve individual effectiveness. In this session, their CIO shares three real-world applications of AI that are creating tangible value for the firm:

AI-Powered Knowledge Search – Using AI search tools to access a decade of knowledge sharing on the firm’s intranet, including video content from learning sessions, town halls, and firm-wide discussions.

AI for Contact Data Validation – Enhancing the accuracy of a CRM by using data and AI to validate and maintain clean, reliable contact data.

Lessons from a CoPilot Beta – A year long Microsoft CoPilot beta group revealed practical use cases, challenges, and strategies for maximizing AI’s impact in daily workflows.

This session delivers actionable strategies for leveraging AI in your own firm—proving that practical, immediate value is well within reach with even the most modest investment of time and resources. You will:

• Explore real-world AI applications in knowledge management, operations, and data integrity.
• Learn how AI search unlocks institutional knowledge from recorded content.
• Discover how AI can streamline meeting documentation and free up time for higher-value work.
• See how AI improves CRM data accuracy and business development.
• Gain first-hand actionable intelligence on the application of Microsoft CoPilot to optimize AI adoption and productivity.

About James Martin

Drawing on over 25 years of Information Technology experience, Jim leads the development of strategies for technology tools that support and advance design, delivery, and collaboration at Shepley Bulfinch. He has been particularly successful at creating an innovation center inside of Shepley Bulfinch's IT department, focusing on new technologies and how they affect the design process. Jim is a frequent speaker at information technology and knowledge management conferences, he is also a Six Sigma Green Belt and holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Roger Williams University.

Ready to imagine a fundamentally better way of working? Beyond the potential of AI, our industry is hungry for real-world innovation that solves for real pain points. Drawing from decades of experience developing foundational technologies for the design industry, Brian focuses on the urgent reality: architects and engineers continue to use outdated digital tools while the buildings they create become increasingly complex and ambitious. He shares Motif's vision for a cloud-native platform that brings together open data, seamless collaboration, and responsive modeling to address the most pressing challenges facing design teams today. See a new future of AEC workflows and a practical path to reimagine how architects and engineers work together to shape our world.

Join us to:
• Understand how limitations of legacy AEC software reduce collaboration, productivity, and design integrity.
• Overcome structural challenges in how AEC teams share, review, and revise assets in 2D and 3D environments.
• Explore new models of real-time, multi-user collaboration that reduce project risk, time loss, and misunderstanding.
• See practical AI integration in AEC workflows as a meaningful design and collaboration assistant.

About Brian Mathews

Brian Mathews is a technology futurist with over three decades of experience in architecting cloud and desktop software for designers and engineers. He served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Bright Machines, a company specializing in intelligent, software-defined manufacturing.

Prior to his role at Bright Machines, Mathews led a 500-person platform group at Autodesk, overseeing software development, cloud operations, product security, and compliance. His tenure at Autodesk also included leading teams focused on 3D reality capture, computer graphics, augmented reality, and data compression.

AI is rapidly becoming a part of AEC workflows, but firm operations leaders may have questions about the return on investment in new technology. Hear ha first-hand account of a real and practical AI Implementation Case Study at a 250-person interior design firm, where Stjepan Mikulic, founder of training consultancy AI in AEC, helped the company save $4.5 million through optimizing technology. Hear his surprising insights on why BIM isn’t as needed as we might think, but AI and automation are. Stjepan will present his vision for the best applications of new technology in AEC as well as his 9-step process on practical AI implementation applicable to any AEC firm.

• A 9-step process to creating a practical AI Implementation Plan
• Minimizing your firm's software costs by optimizing your tech stack
• How to solve bottlenecks through automation, AI apps and optimized workflows
• Learning about AI solutions in the AEC and why the industry needs it in the first place

About Stjepan Mikulić

Beginning his career as BIM Coordinator at Sweco and later serving as Project BIM Lead at BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, Stjepan found his passion is to empower every AEC professional to solve challenges through learning, implementing, and developing AI and cutting-edge tech.

He does this through his global training platform AI in AEC and sharing insights on LinkedIn, maintaining the AEC AI Hub and consulting AEC companies on AI, BIM, and technology implementation. For AEC professionals who want to go beyond the surface of AI on their own terms, he created two courses to go from zero to AI superhero in short order.

Co-presenting with Sean Bailey, Software Developer, PVE, LLC

Compliance engineering is a complex and rapidly evolving aspect of the AEC industry, encompassing everything from facade and parapet inspections in New York City to decarbonization and code compliance across the nation. In this session, Jamison Morse and Sean Bailey of engineering firm PVE share how they are leveraging automation and AI to transform compliance processes into scalable, efficient, and cost-competitive services. Drawing on real-world examples, including custom tools that positioned PVE as one of New York City’s leading filers of facade reports, they demonstrate how applying AI to existing workflows—not reinventing the wheel—can drive immediate business impact without significant up-front investment. With an in-house innovation team collaborating closely with engineers, PVE’s solutions are built with a deep focus on usability, tested in the field, and designed to meet the real-world challenges of regulatory compliance. This session is highly relevant for AEC leaders exploring practical ways to incorporate AI into their business strategy. Learn how automation can reduce costs, scale operations, and even shift business models from billing by the hour to billing for value delivered.

• Understand the practical applications of AI to compliance-based engineering processes: Learn how to seamlessly integrate AI into existing compliance processes in structural, environmental, and civil engineering, making your business more efficient without heavy upfront investment or disruptive overhauls.
• Understand where AI is most impactful – and where it can fail: Based on real-world applications across AEC disciplines, you see where the current state of AI technology can be most impactful in existing business processes.
• Analyze proven case studies in inspection automation: Discover how PVE’s proprietary parapet and facade inspection tools propelled the firm to the forefront of New York City’s compliance market, demonstrating the power of automation to drive competitive advantage, scalability, and profitability.
• Design and deploy in-house innovation and technology expertise: Gain actionable insights into building internal technology teams that collaborate with engineers, ensuring software solutions are rigorously tested in the field and tailored to meet real-world compliance demands.
• Redefine product delivery and business models with automation and AI: Explore how automation can pave the way for value-based pricing models, moving beyond hourly billing to deliver scalable services that directly align with client outcomes and operational growth.

About Jamison Morse

Jamison Morse, PE, RA, serves as the Principal and Director of Structures at PVE, LLC, a role he has held since May 2009. With a master’s degree in architectural engineering, Jamison has spearheaded numerous innovative structural projects. His expertise blends technical proficiency with architectural acumen, driving advancements in sustainability and design within the engineering field. His leadership at PVE reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation in structural engineering.

AT AEC INNOVATE, Jonathan explains how Populous is applying AI to the global design firm's unique data sets across the business: in design, human resources, finance, operations and more. He also shares the backstory of "The Sphere" in Las Vegas, which Populous created using next-level immersive design. Plus, he demystifies complexities behind AI standards, governance, copyrights and ownership and touches on AI’s power to enhance and provide efficiencies in our roles.

About Jonanthan Nelson

As global head of digital for design firm Populous, Jonathan is integral in supporting the global holdings board through his development, evaluation and evolution of a technological vision and strategy to develop and enhance all digital services and products.

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

AI is fundamentally altering professional AEC workflows. Given the rapid advancement of AI model capabilities, it is essential to not only adapt but also strategically integrate this technology to not only optimize productivity but ensure competitive advantages. Alex Pollock and Omid Sajedi of Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE Studio are working the frontier where new tech ideas and practical use cases meet, and share their approach to innovation and R&D through their internal incubator. You learn how they are driving adoption of time-saving tools throughout the engineering giant’s global footprint, including the latest R&D findings of the CORE.AI team, focusing on the development of AI-driven tools. Get the best ideas for transforming AEC processes, to enhance creativity and problem-solving through rapid optioneering.

About Alexandra Pollock
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.

Fostering a culture of innovation within your AEC firm is critical for remaining competitive. Britany explains how multi-disciplinary design firm HFA successfully uses internal AI competition to inspire creativity, engage employees, and accelerate technological advancements. By challenging teams across the enterprise to solve real-world business problems using AI, they tapped into diverse skill sets, nurtured a collaborative spirit, and developed cutting-edge solutions that directly impacted our enterprise. This session explains the strategic planning and execution of the competition, the tools and frameworks used to ensure accessibility and fairness, and the measurable outcomes achieved, including increased employee engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and operational efficiencies. We will also share lessons learned, such as managing diverse skill levels and aligning AI initiatives with business goals, to help attendees replicate our success. Whether you're a leader, innovator, or technologist, this presentation will provide actionable insights into how structured competitions can be a powerful tool for driving innovation, reskilling your workforce, and creating transformative value.

• Understand how internal AI competitions can foster a culture of innovation within enterprises.
• Learn strategies to plan and execute an inclusive, effective AI competition aligned with business goals.
• Explore methods to integrate AI-based solutions from competitions into business operations.
• Discover ways to engage employees and build cross-functional collaboration through gamification.
• Gain insights into overcoming challenges, such as skill gaps and project sustainability, in AI-focused initiatives.

About Brittany Pylant
With a Master of Architecture and nearly two decades in the AEC industry, Brittany is a forward-thinking leader specializing in Design Technology, Business Technology, and Operational processes. As Director of Operations at HFA, she co-leads initiatives to integrate technology and efficiency into every facet of the business. Brittany oversees the Design Technology team, driving advancements in BIM and Visualization standards, automation, and custom workflows. She also collaborates across the enterprise to implement innovative solutions that directly enhance operational processes and organizational impact. Brittany established HFA's first technology-focused community of practice, uniting over 50 rising leaders to foster cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange. Her dedication to innovation and collaboration continues to transform team dynamics, demonstrating how technology and empowered people can shape a more efficient and connected future.

AEC leaders face a pressing challenge: improving productivity in a sector often criticized for lagging behind other industries. While finance, healthcare, and tech have embraced historical data as a core part of decision-making processes, we have yet to unlock the full potential of our archived knowledge. Every firm is sitting on a goldmine of historical data, stored in digital folders, archives, or past project files. This session explores how tapping into this untapped resource can enable firms to make better data-driven decisions, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge. Drawing parallels with industries like computer science—where open-source projects, APIs, and data inform every decision—we’ll examine practical strategies for using historical project data to reduce inefficiencies, identify patterns, and drive better outcomes. By harnessing data already at your disposal, you can transform decision-making, optimize workflows, and increase profitability. It’s time for the AEC industry to embrace the power of data and become a productivity leader.

About Manoj Bala Radhakrishna

Manoj is the CEO and Founder of struct.digital, a company focused on empowering the structural engineering and broader AEC industry with software and AI-driven solutions. With hands-on experience working on high-profile projects in London, he has seen first-hand how inefficiencies in traditional workflows can hinder progress and has developed a deep understanding of how historical data and cutting-edge technology can drive meaningful change. Manoj is passionate about helping AEC firms unlock untapped potential through smarter, data-driven strategies.

With AI based solutions flooding the industry at an unprecedented pace, how can AEC firms effectively navigate constant change? What innovations should be explored, implemented, or retired? Architecture and design powerhouse Corgan shares lessons learned by examining key project delivery milestones and evaluating how AI-driven tools enhance efficiency. Through case studies, you learn how to identify the most effective AI applications and highlight specific tools Corgan has categorized as high effort/high impact—along with how these insights are shared across the firm. Beyond the technical advantages, we’ll also address the critical challenges AI presents, from legal issues like copyright and intellectual property concerns to ethical risks such as bias, misinformation, and overreliance. Generative AI, for example, has sparked legal debates while also demonstrating how unchecked systems can perpetuate biases or produce misleading information. We’ll explore how to manage these risks responsibly by setting proper safeguards, balancing expectations, and addressing regulatory and ethical considerations upfront. Attendees will leave with a practical, well-rounded understanding of AI’s potential and limitations—equipped with strategies to integrate AI effectively and responsibly within their firms.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze real-world case studies of both successful and unsuccessful AI
  implementations to identify critical factors that influence project outcomes.
• Apply value assessment methodologies to determine how AI solutions can enhance specific phases of the design exploration process.
• Develop criteria for establishing value assessment methodologies for
  distinguishing between high-value and low-value AI implementation
  opportunities using concrete examples like Notetaker and SWAPP cases.
• Copyright Complexities: Learn how copyright laws apply to AI-generated works, and what protections or exposures organizations may face.
• Bias & Misuse Risks: Understand how biases in training data can lead to unfair or incorrect outcomes and explore steps to mitigate them.
• Regulatory & Legal Landscape: Gain an overview of emerging legal frameworks and compliance requirements related to AI deployment. Discover best practices
  to avoid pitfalls, including thorough review of terms and conditions, responsibledata usage, and continuous monitoring.

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

AI is fundamentally altering professional AEC workflows. Given the rapid advancement of AI model capabilities, it is essential to not only adapt but also strategically integrate this technology to not only optimize productivity but ensure competitive advantages. Alex Pollock and Omid Sajedi of Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE Studio are working the frontier where new tech ideas and practical use cases meet, and share their approach to innovation and R&D through their internal incubator. You learn how they are driving adoption of time-saving tools throughout the engineering giant’s global footprint, including the latest R&D findings of the CORE.AI team, focusing on the development of AI-driven tools. Get the best ideas for transforming AEC processes, to enhance creativity and problem-solving through rapid optioneering.

About Seyedomid Sajedi

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.

Your AEC firm’s strategic vision almost certainly has a commitment to keeping pace with the galloping advancements in design and business management tech. And wherever you are on the road to greater integration of digital workflows, you know that there’s no end point where you can say, “Done!” But progress can hindered or accelerated by how well you manage change and make smarter tech adoption decisions. Join us for this free-flowing examination of how some of the most successful design firms are tackling both of these issues with a candid examination of structural, process, and people impediments that must be overcome if our industry is to meet client demands going forward. We explore the human side of digital transformation with experiences of top executives who have successfully navigated organizational change while implementing new technologies and workflows. This panel will move beyond software selection to address the critical people aspects that determine whether digital initiatives succeed or fail, offering practical strategies based on real-world experience. In this session you will:

• Learn proven change management approaches to overcome staff resistance and build organization-wide buy-in for digital initiatives
• Discover effective methods for upskilling teams and fostering a culture of continuous innovation
• Understand how to balance immediate operational needs with long-term digital strategy implementation

With AI based solutions flooding the industry at an unprecedented pace, how can AEC firms effectively navigate constant change? What innovations should be explored, implemented, or retired? Architecture and design powerhouse Corgan shares lessons learned by examining key project delivery milestones and evaluating how AI-driven tools enhance efficiency. Through case studies, you learn how to identify the most effective AI applications and highlight specific tools Corgan has categorized as high effort/high impact—along with how these insights are shared across the firm. Beyond the technical advantages, we’ll also address the critical challenges AI presents, from legal issues like copyright and intellectual property concerns to ethical risks such as bias, misinformation, and overreliance. Generative AI, for example, has sparked legal debates while also demonstrating how unchecked systems can perpetuate biases or produce misleading information. We’ll explore how to manage these risks responsibly by setting proper safeguards, balancing expectations, and addressing regulatory and ethical considerations upfront. Attendees will leave with a practical, well-rounded understanding of AI’s potential and limitations—equipped with strategies to integrate AI effectively and responsibly within their firms.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze real-world case studies of both successful and unsuccessful AI
  implementations to identify critical factors that influence project outcomes.
• Apply value assessment methodologies to determine how AI solutions can enhance specific phases of the design exploration process.
• Develop criteria for establishing value assessment methodologies for
  distinguishing between high-value and low-value AI implementation
  opportunities using concrete examples like Notetaker and SWAPP cases.
• Copyright Complexities: Learn how copyright laws apply to AI-generated works, and what protections or exposures organizations may face.
• Bias & Misuse Risks: Understand how biases in training data can lead to unfair or incorrect outcomes and explore steps to mitigate them.
• Regulatory & Legal Landscape: Gain an overview of emerging legal frameworks and compliance requirements related to AI deployment. Discover best practices
  to avoid pitfalls, including thorough review of terms and conditions, responsibledata usage, and continuous monitoring.

Each AEC project brings its unique set of challenges with varying team compositions, from developers to architects and various internal stakeholders. Traditionally, insights into how much time staff spent on specific design tasks was anecdotal and subjective. This presents a challenge in optimizing productivity, we are often left to make decisions on a hunch rather than hard data. This approach leaves missed opportunities for process optimization and misallocated training efforts. The software engineers at JB&B developed a solution that leverages artificial intelligence to systematically capture and analyze user interactions within Autodesk Revit. This add-in tracks detailed user activities, including workspace usage, element handling, and project-specific interactions. By aggregating this data, they developed a sophisticated AI model that not only categorizes and clusters these interactions into distinct processes but also predicts efficiency and production rates. More critically, this model identifies anomalies in production—instances where a user's output deviates significantly from their peers on similar projects—which could indicate areas needing intervention. In this session, you:

• Understand the importance of tracking user interactions within design applications to identify patterns and improve workflow efficiency.
• Learn how to segment and classify user transactions into different processes based on the tasks performed in various project stages.
• Explore the application of AI models to predict productivity with multi-dimensional project constraints.
• Identify anomalies in user design patterns and learn how to leverage this data to provide actionable insights for improving performance, live.
• Discover how to utilize data-driven insights to roadmap the production of automation tools and user specific training modules.

Each AEC project brings its unique set of challenges with varying team compositions, from developers to architects and various internal stakeholders. Traditionally, insights into how much time staff spent on specific design tasks was anecdotal and subjective. This presents a challenge in optimizing productivity, we are often left to make decisions on a hunch rather than hard data. This approach leaves missed opportunities for process optimization and misallocated training efforts. The software engineers at JB&B developed a solution that leverages artificial intelligence to systematically capture and analyze user interactions within Autodesk Revit. This add-in tracks detailed user activities, including workspace usage, element handling, and project-specific interactions. By aggregating this data, they developed a sophisticated AI model that not only categorizes and clusters these interactions into distinct processes but also predicts efficiency and production rates. More critically, this model identifies anomalies in production—instances where a user's output deviates significantly from their peers on similar projects—which could indicate areas needing intervention. In this session, you:

• Understand the importance of tracking user interactions within design applications to identify patterns and improve workflow efficiency.
• Learn how to segment and classify user transactions into different processes based on the tasks performed in various project stages.
• Explore the application of AI models to predict productivity with multi-dimensional project constraints.
• Identify anomalies in user design patterns and learn how to leverage this data to provide actionable insights for improving performance, live.
• Discover how to utilize data-driven insights to roadmap the production of automation tools and user specific training modules.

About Mike Taglione

Mike’s passion is in transforming the built space. As an Electrical Engineer at JB&B Engineering, he is also pioneering new tech as a cofounder of Thrux, an MEP design environment. Most recently, he leads all development projects at JB&B, working to transform a technologically underserved industry by mastering the complexities of driving adoption in a fragmented landscape. He is a builder at heart and his driving motivation stems from an excitement to take part in a foundational decade for the new era of AEC technology.

AI is poised to transform the AEC industry by eliminating tedious processes and boosting productivity, but you've got to prepare your firm. Sean Young of NVIDIA's AEC initiative discusses new AI solutions for planning, design, and AEC firm operations, with a deeper dive into your firm’s AI training for leveraging uses of Fine Tuning, RAG, Inference, Generative AI, Data Science, and NeRF. He also shows us how to use a Digital Twin for aggregating AI data, training synthetic data, and simulating projects before deployment in the real world.

• Learn why AI is relevant and how it will impact your practice, including the new job skills that AEC firms are looking for.
• Explore relevant AEC industry use cases across disciplines to understand the transformative capabilities of AI.
• Discover key AI technologies and software solutions, and how to get started implementing them
• Explore the future of digital twins for the AEC industry, and the frameworks for discussions with clients.

About Sean Young

Sean is Director of AECO, Geospatial, and AI Solutions Industry Marketing at NVIDIA. Sean has 25 years of 3D visualization and simulation experience in AEC, Automotive, and Manufacturing. He has been deeply involved in software and hardware technologies that shaped the AEC visualization industry. Prior to his current role Sean led Omniverse sales at NVIDIA, AEC business development at HP, and 3ds Max product management at Autodesk.

Your challenge as an AEC firm leader is not just to keep pace with technology but to redefine how your tech and your talent will co-exist in an AI-driven work environment. This isn't just about surviving the changes but creating workplaces prioritizing well-being, innovation, and a sense of purpose. As AI reshapes our lives and work, we have a unique opportunity to adapt and thrive together, embracing these changes while ensuring the human element remains at the heart of AEC project execution. In her timely keynote, Dr. Sam Zolfagharian explores the future of work in AEC, offering practical insights and inspiration for how people and technology can work together to succeed in the era of AI. You learn how to:

• Navigate and alleviate your employees’ fear of being replaced by AI.
• Develop strategies to attract and retain your top talent in the era of AI.
• Move from traditional workflows to AI-augmented workflows that enhance productivity and creativity.
• Integrate AI tools in ways that keep teamwork, creativity, and the human element at the heart of your organization and projects.
• Create workplaces prioritizing employees' well-being, innovation, and purpose to foster engagement and resilience in the AI era.

Join us to explore the coming shift from traditional work models to a future where AI handles routine tasks, enabling AEC firms to unlock the full potential of their talent. This transition frees individuals to focus on creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking, skills that are uniquely human and invaluable in the workplace of tomorrow. The discussion will emphasize how nurturing these qualities can enhance talent retention, attract top talent, and maximize your employees' contributions. By building workplaces where designers, architects, engineers, and project managers are valued for their unique contributions rather than just the hours they log, we can create a future that’s both technologically advanced and deeply fulfilling for everyone.