Artificial intelligence promises to bring unparalleled advancements and efficiencies to the AEC/O industry. Charlie Sheridan, chief data and AI officer at Nemetschek Group, explains how
In the blink of an eye, artificial intelligence (AI) has rocketed to the front of the technology stage. What was once an exciting yet largely enigmatic buzzword is suddenly powering the AEC/O sector’s renaissance, which means it now finds itself on a uniquely significant and positive path to transformation. Just as the latest artificial intelligence layer that the Nemetschek Group has recently unveiled.
The integration of AI into critical AEC/O processes has massive implications, not only for professionals in the field but for society as a whole.
Let’s remember that we’re talking about an industry valued at $12tn in 2023, which is an astounding figure, especially when you consider that it is expected to nearly double over the next five years.
Perhaps more significant than its economic contributions, the AEC/O industry is, of course, responsible for designing, building and maintaining our entire global infrastructure.
How well this is ‘done’ , has a profound impact on the quality of life for communities everywhere, as well as on the environment, which is of crucial importance for individuals and organisations alike.
I am inspired and excited by AI’s burgeoning influence over the AEC/O space and across the building lifecycle. Used responsibly, it has the potential to result in considerable economic, infrastructural and environmental benefits, and – fortuitously – comes at a time when it’s needed the most.
Right now, the industry is struggling to juggle rising costs, historic and ongoing labour shortages and longstanding design inefficiencies that hinder sustainability. The integration and further rapid development of AI-based technologies, such as the Nemetschek AI layer, will facilitate the effective mitigation of the sector’s most urgent challenges to date, the continuous evolution of such AI tools will unlock new possibilities for addressing complex problems, transforming the way the sector operates in the long term.
An innovative path to sustainability
What does the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) mean from an AEC/O professional’s perspective in their day to-day work?
When it comes to the earliest stages of a building’s design, tools like the AI Visualizer (in Archicad, Allplan and Vectorworks) enables architects and interior designers to integrate the power of GenAI via Stable Diffusion into their building information modelling (BIM) solutions and, in-turn, generate multiple high-quality, 3D design visualisations in a matter of seconds.
By simply typing in original design concepts and additional specifications and parameters, the iterative design process becomes not only more efficient through rapid prototyping but also bolstered by virtually limitless enhancements to creativity and conceptualisation.
Of course, that is just one of an expanding variety of innovative GenAI applications in the AEC/O sector. We expect a further sharpening of capabilities, such as deep semantic understanding, complex reasoning and multimodality, all of which means a veritable step change in what can be accomplished from the earliest stages of design, all the way down to the final deconstruction and demolition phases.
However, the industry’s transition from 2D to 3D design poses a significant challenge, primarily due to regulatory complexities. For instance, the Nemetschek AI layer will offer a promising solution by bridging the gap between these two worlds, bringing features such as proactive energy consumption analysis material usage optimisation, and extending the lifespan of building components through predictive maintenance.
Meanwhile, the use of digital twins is projected to grow 15-fold by 2032, integrating data across design, operation and demolition phases, ensuring efficiency and accuracy at every stage.
Marry this with AI-driven real-time monitoring and we can see how digital twins will enhance construction safety, reduce material waste and support sustainability goals.
It will be central to redefining industry standards for efficiency and environmental impact and it is becoming more advanced every day.
Rather than simply existing as a reflection of an environment, we are rapidly approaching a future in which AI-powered digital twins become the very foundation on which building projects are designed, executed and maintained.
AI is also driving sustainability across the AEC/O sector
AI is making waves in the fields of real estate and property management, too. It is revolutionising energy optimisation through advanced Demand/Response systems, enabling buildings to seamlessly balance energy demands with the availability of green energy sources.
This intelligent management of energy consumption ensures that these AI-driven systems help buildings draw power when renewable energy is most abundant, reducing their reliance on non-renewable sources. Not only does this conserve energy but it also minimises operational costs and lowers the building’s carbon footprint.
The integration of AI enhances the efficiency of building systems, proactively adjusting to fluctuations in energy availability and preventing potential issues before they arise. The upside of is that buildings not only meet sustainability targets but also contribute to a more resilient and environmentally responsible energy grid at a time when more pressure is being applied to it.
“The integration of AI into critical AEC/O processes has massive implications, not only for professionals in the field but for society as a whole.“
Looking toward a more ethical future
To ensure the responsible use of AI, we believe it is essential to focus on several key areas.
First and foremost, transparency and explainability are critical. Users should understand how AI systems work and how decisions are made.
Privacy and data security must also be prioritised by adhering to strict regulations, obtaining user consent and anonymising data whenever possible.
Additionally, AI systems should be robust, reliable and thoroughly tested, with built-in failsafes and human oversight for critical tasks.
Accountability is equally important, requiring clear governance structures and ethics boards to guide AI practices.
Above all, AI should promote sustainability and societal wellbeing while supporting users as they adapt to evolving job roles and expectations.
“The continuous evolution of AI tools will unlock new possibilities for addressing complex problems, transforming the way the sector operates in the long term.”
We should keep in mind that as GenAI continues to advance, we will need to be increasingly careful about ensuring that future solutions are developed and implemented ethically. Doing so successfully will involve collaborating closely with architects to help them gain a clearer understanding of the role of those tools and in trusting that they are designed to support and enhance their productivity and ability to innovate.
As the industry accelerates the pace at which it integrates AI, current trends and innovations will inevitably give way to new ones. Therefore, it’s impossible to predict with perfect accuracy how the transformation will play out.
However, given the already astonishing capabilities and performance of existing technologies, and there their inherent ability to constantly evolve over time, it’s safe to say that potential future impacts and use cases of AI in the AEC/O sector are limited only by our collective imagination.
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
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