AECCafe Industry Predictions for 2024 – Graphisoft

By Huw Roberts, AIA, CEO, Graphisoft

Huw Roberts

The Transformative Intersection of AI and AEC in 2024

In the latter half of 2023, the surge of interest in AI became a pivotal focal point, poised to evolve in influence throughout 2024 and beyond. (In the context of this article, we use the term ‘AI’ to discuss the diverse array of technologies and techniques rooted in machine learning.) In the AEC industry specifically, the current state of AI is most apparent in workflow tools and helpful automation, enhancing design, construction, sales, and marketing processes. As we kick off the new year, our thoughts turn to how AI could develop further and what needs to be in place to support a best-case scenario implementation of this powerful technology.

Empowering AEC Professionals with Emerging Tech

The overarching role of technology in the AEC sector has always aimed to empower professionals to achieve superior outcomes within the built environment. Combining AI with standardized technology like BIM is reshaping this trend, ushering in an era of enhanced efficiency, sustainability, functionality, and design capabilities. The historical evolution of BIM itself saw similar inflection points, growing from CAD as a documentation tool to a comprehensive system tied into analysis and visualization databases and maturing into empowering robust Digital Twins.

The Rise of Cloud Computing in AEC

Cloud computing is pivotal in the synergy of BIM and AI, facilitated by enormous advancements in physical devices and data network capacity. The extensive use of cloud computing powers AI and facilitates the collaboration of dispersed teams and their shared use of AI and other software tools. The industry is witnessing the continuous advancement of cloud-first integration, such as our BIMcloud, uniting information, tools, and, most importantly, global teams to capitalize on talent worldwide.

In parallel, the coming year is expected to witness further growth in and demand for subscription offers, enabling rapid capability updates, reducing financial barriers, and enhancing buyer flexibility. As software providers, we need to ensure that the subscription updates can be absorbed and implemented in a seamless experience, maintaining quality and minimizing disruption while delivering new capabilities and enhancements at an increased pace.

AI’s Impact on AEC Workflows

AI tools are anticipated to take on more predictable and mundane bulk work, elevating industry standards and augmenting workflows to enhance quality control. This year, we will see a wave of AI strengthening the capabilities of core AEC tools and workflows, supporting extensive idea development without replacing the invaluable professional insights of designers. Powerful tools, like the Archicad AI Visualizer, demonstrate how AI can assist the designer, providing valuable input and feedback to inform creative decisions and improve workstreams.

Ethical Considerations and Open Information Principles

As AI integration becomes more prevalent, a critical aspect is ensuring ethical training practices and adherence to intellectual property rights. This aligns with our OPEN BIM mindset, emphasizing transparency and user control over their information and its use. The open nature of Graphisoft’s and Nemetschek Group’s core philosophy is a key enabler in creating software tools that seamlessly connect our tools with a broad range of technologies, including AI, through well-managed open information access.

While the year ahead promises astounding evolutionary advancement and sparks of revolutionary disruption in AEC, striking a balance between innovation and ethical considerations will be crucial to fully harnessing the potential of emerging tech in AEC. The industry should continue creating substantive, future-integrated tools that empower AEC professionals to create ever-better-built environments.

About the author:

Huw Roberts, AIA, has over 30 years of experience helping the AEC industry maximize the value of new and emerging technologies. As the CEO of Graphisoft, Huw is committed to empowering teams to design great buildings. A licensed architect by profession, Huw is a highly regarded industry expert on the best practices for integrating technology into the design, delivery, and operational management of buildings and infrastructure. He has served in many industry organizations on work such as the U.S. National CAD Standards, Uniform Drawing Standards, Facility Information Council, buildingSMART, Chairman of the American Institute of Architects Technology in Architectural Practice committee, and most recently by contributing to advancing appropriate global policies and regulation on AI through his membership on the Board of BSA.

Tags: Industry Predictions

Category: Industry Predictions

This entry was posted on Monday, January 22nd, 2024 at 4:56 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.