AI and Architectural Designers - what the future holds

Presentation to the regional meeting of the Architectural Designers in Wellington on 6 September - exploring the possible impact of Artificial Intelligence on the work they do. Presenting both perspectives - how it might enhance and expand the opportunities for their work, and the potential challenges and threats that may be experienced.

1. Inspiring the next generation of leaders, thinkers and problem-solvers
[email protected]
@dwenmoth
www.futuremakers.nz
http://futuremakers.nz/blog
I’m older than the
Internet (&AI)!
Architectural Designers AGM
6 September 2024
Mana Cruising Club

2. 2011
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Derek’s Blog
My life in
tech...
AI
Teacher, principalITE, EdTech, DE, PolicyCORE: PLD, Thought LeadershipFUTUREMAKERS

3. The “Kurzweil Curve” –Ray Kurzweil

4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12270941/How-long-took-social-media-giants-reach-1-million-users-Threads-did-hours.html

5. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-top-trends-in-tech#tech-trends-2024

6. What are your big questions about AI?
•How can it help me work more efficiently?
•What are the risks of me becoming too reliant on it?
•How can I trust what it produces?
•Willitmakeme/uslazy?
•How will I know what’s real?
•What happens to my intellectual property?
•Will I lose my job?
•...?

8. 42%of these experts said they areequally
excited and concernedabout the changes in
the “humans-plus-tech” evolution they
expect to see by 2035.
37%said they aremore concerned than
excitedabout the changes they expect.
18%said they aremore excited than
concernedabout expected change.
2%said they are neither excited nor
concerned.
2%said they don’t think there will be much
real change by 2035.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/06/21/as-ai-
spreads-experts-predict-the-best-and-worst-changes-in-digital-
life-by-2035

9. Large Language Models
Generative AI
Applied AI
Neural Networks
Machine Learning
Image Generation
...?

10. AI Use in NZ Schools

11. AI use in Education
•Personalization and Adaptive Learning
•Efficiency and Task Automation
•Enhanced Creativity and Problem-
Solving
•Data-Driven Decision Making
•Intelligent tutoring systems
•Content creation and curation
•Identifying knowledge gaps
•Accessibility enhancements

12. https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup-diffusion

13. https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/ai-image-video/i-put-7-leading-ai-image-models-to-the-test-with-the-same-prompt-heres-the-winner
The young woman
An ultra-realistic smartphone selfie of a young woman in
her mid-20s. The photo has the characteristic sharpness and
vivid colour of a high-end smartphone camera, with slight
motion blur on one edge. The image is taken in natural
daylight, causing mild overexposure on one side of her face.
She has shoulder-length curly hair with grown-out
highlights, and wears minimal, everyday makeup with
slightly smudged eyeliner. Her expression is a genuine,
slightly lopsided smile with a hint of tiredness around her
eyes. She's wearing a comfortable, well-worn graphic t-shirt
with a faded band logo. A thin silver necklace is partially
tangled in her hair near her collar. The background is a lived-
in studio apartment, with an unmade bed and a small
bookshelf visible. A houseplant with a few yellowing leaves
sits on a windowsill behind her. There's a small coffee stain
barely visible on the collar of her shirt.
Dall-E
(Image credit: DALL-E 3/Future AI)

14. https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/ai-image-video/i-put-7-leading-ai-image-models-to-the-test-with-the-same-prompt-heres-the-winner
(Image credit: Freepik Mystic/Future AI)
(Image credit: Midjourney/Future AI)(Image credit: Ideogram/Future AI)
(Image credit: Leonardo Phoenix/Future Ai)

17. AI and Architecture
•According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), 90% of architecture firms anticipate using or increasing their usage of AI over the next three years
•AI is transforming architectural design, enhancing creativity, efficiency, and sustainability.
•The technology offers tools for design optimization, project management, and data-driven decision-making.
•Human architects remain essential, bringing creativity, empathy, and contextual understanding that AI cannot replicate.
•AI-driven cost estimation - algorithms analysing data such as building materials and labour costs to generate precise estimates.

18. Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity
•AI can enhance Building Information
Modelling (BIM) with real-time updates
and predictive maintenance capabilities.
•It can assist in scheduling, resource
allocation, and risk management,
keeping projects on track and within
budget.
•AI algorithms consider factors like
building orientation, envelope design, and HVAC systems to determine the
most energy-efficient design etc.

19. Expanding Design
Possibilities
•Generative Design: AI algorithms can
rapidly generate multiple design options
based on set parameters and goals,
exploring innovative solutions that
humans may not have considered.
•Parametric Design: AI enables more
complex parametric designs by handling
intricate geometric calculations and
optimizations.
•Style Replication: AI image generation
tools can mimic the styles of famous
architects, providing inspiration and new
design directions.

20. Improving Building
Performance
•Energy Efficiency: AI can analyse
climate data, building orientation,
materials, and other factors to
optimize designs for energy efficiency.
•Sustainability: AI tools can help
architects incorporate sustainable
features like stormwater management
systems from the early stages of
design.

21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NY_O7QtHmw&t=15s

22. What are the concerns?
•The biggest issues with AI may be about ethics, not employment.
•Initial investment costs and the learning curve associated with new
technologies.
•The need for training and upskilling to effectively leverage AI tools
•Need to balance AI-driven efficiency with the need for human
creativity and emotional intelligence in design.
•The problem is that development of AI is running well in advance of
public awareness, ethical reflection, and legal and regulatory
frameworks

23. Future Outlook
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
•We’re likely to see increased collaboration with data scientists and AI
specialists. This interdisciplinary approach could lead to more
innovative solutions in many occupations, including education and
architecture.
Reimagining Professional Roles
•AI is likely to reshape and transform the role of professionals, shifting
focus for teachers from being the content experts, to being the
‘adapters’ of curriculum, and for architects from technical drafting to
more strategic and creative aspects of design.

24. How might we
respond?
1.Embrace AI as a tool to augment your
creativity, not replace it.
2.Actively participate in the development
of AI tools for architecture, ensuring
they align with the values and needs of
your profession.
3.Continuously educate yourself and your
teams about AI capabilities and ethical
considerations.
4.Collaborate across disciplines to create
innovative solutions that blend the
best of human insight and machine
intelligence.

25. Thank You
[email protected]
@dwenmoth
www.futuremakers.nz
http://www.wenmoth.net