Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in ways we’re only beginning to understand. As computational design and software advances and is tasked to handle more complex and data-intensive forms, AI offers real potential to optimize workflows and improve design team collaboration from initial concepts on Schematic Design (SD) to more refined systems in Design Development (DD) and high detail documents in Construction Documents (CD).
This transformation is the reason why I enrolled in this course – I wanted to understand how these tools are reshaping our field. As David Leon pointed out in his lecture, our career paths will vary from student to student, but knowing AI’s capabilities has become a competitive necessity regardless of whether you’re designing buildings, architecture and engineering systems, or managing projects.
Looking ahead, one of AI’s most promising applications is decision making in early-stage (SD) with collaboration between all the AEC disciplines. Alternative design scenarios can be presented to the client enabling architects, engineers and contractors to rapidly evaluate and review before the DD and CD process. This could lead to fewer surprises during construction and more coordinated design between the AEC professions. [1]
On construction sites, we’re already using Construction Administration (CA) applications. My firm relies on Procore Construction Management Software for project documentation. Procore Assist is a powerful tool that can save time, utilize multilingual support, offload repetitive tasks, generate site reports instantly and examine site photos to help summarize project progress. Submittals, Specifications and Request for Information (RFI) are communicated between architects, engineers and contractors keeping everyone aligned. Our firm has managed to coordinate CA work in several projects during preconstruction making the building process smoother and quicker. [2]
Collaborating Building Information Modeling (BIM) models had become a necessity between Architects, Structural and Mechanical Engineers and Contractors. BIM is reshaping how we approach design, while cloud-based platforms such as Autodesk Construction Cloud (AAC) can now manage mistakes and repetitive tasks that might exist through machine learning applications. [3] These technologies also generate more data which as was mentioned in almost every lecture is the key to AI and discovering new ways to add value throughout the construction process.
I see this benefit at our firm, where we consume many hours creating and maintaining our office standards such as typical details and specifications. I can imagine in the upcoming future that AI could generate typical details automatically from our office standards, flag potential conflicts, and update everything when specifications change.
As mentioned, data collection is crucial for AI’s future in the AEC industry. Construction firms cannot easily share project data due to liability and client confidentiality requirements. Libny Pacheco mentioned this challenge in his lecture when describing how daylight analysis AI tool required extensive validation through partner companies before public release of the design tool. There is also the critical question of where to draw the line with advancing these technologies. As Lora Fahmy mentioned in one of the lectures, if the data centers powering our AI tools consume more energy than the construction sites they’re are meant to optimize we need to reconsider the full equation. I also worry about the inequality these technologies could create within the AEC field. Latest AI tools will likely remain expensive and out of reach for smaller firms, potentially creating a gap in our field.
Humans will still have a key role to play to control liability, emotions and design differentiation that goes over and beyond the probabilistic choices of AI algorithms. The future isn’t about AI taking over – it’s about professionals who understand how to leverage these tools responsibly and effectively (need for Human In The Loop).
References:
- The Rise of AI and Machine Learning in Construction https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/article/Rise-AI-and-Machine-Learning-Construction-2018
- Procore Assist https://www.procore.com/assist
- The Rise of AI in Construction https://www.autodesk.com/blogs/construction/ai-construction/
- Evolving your AEC Toolbox with Autodesk AI https://www.autodesk.com/blogs/aec/2023/11/13/ai-in-aec/?us_oa=search-us&us_si=425c7245-1e89-4ddc-a596-a12766559d15&us_st=AI%20IN%20AEC
