AI AEC Show

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show by AEC Business, I sat down with Carl Veillette, Chief Product Officer at Newforma. With a career that began in architecture and evolved into co-founding BIM Track, followed by joining Newforma, Carl brings a unique perspective on how the industry can better manage the explosion of construction data, particularly through smart, ethical AI.

We explored the future of project information management (PIM), how AI is quietly transforming jobsite workflows, and why connecting email threads to BIM models might be more powerful than it sounds.

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show, Aarni Heiskanen welcomes back René Morkos, PhD, the visionary founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies, to explore the latest advances in artificial intelligence for construction scheduling and project optimization.

The Shift: Generative AI Comes to Construction

Since their last conversation, René highlights the most significant change in the construction tech landscape: the rapid rise of generative AI and large language models (LLMs). These tools are fundamentally altering how project data is accessed, analyzed, and leveraged across the industry.

René explains how ALICE Technologies has embraced this transformation by developing two AI-driven scheduling agents. These agents don’t just generate optimized schedules—they can also interact conversationally with planners, offering insights into delays, critical tasks, progress updates, and more. This represents a leap from static scheduling tools to dynamic, intelligent collaboration.

Breaking Down Data Silos

One persistent challenge in construction is fragmented and unstructured data. AI offers a promising way forward. René points to solutions like Trunk Tools, which allow users to query entire project datasets in natural language—"Show me the change orders" or "Summarize this RFI"—without needing to manually sift through files.

This democratization of data access, powered by AI, is eliminating a long-standing bottleneck in construction project management.

A Platform for Optimization

René also discusses how ALICE's platform not only helps plan construction projects but actively explores "what-if" scenarios—testing and comparing thousands of possible construction strategies. This simulation-based approach enables teams to reduce risk, save time, and improve project outcomes with confidence.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, René envisions an increasingly automated construction planning ecosystem. As he puts it, we’re moving toward a future where the question is not just “what’s the plan?” but “what’s the best possible plan, and how do we know?” AI will provide the answers.

Takeaway: AI is not just a support tool—it’s becoming a decision partner in designing, scheduling, and executing construction projects.

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Welcome to another edition of the AI AEC Show! In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Marty Rozmanith, Co-founder and CTO of Skema.ai. Marty is an authority on AEC tech; he was instrumental in the development of Revit and now leads the charge at Skema, the company behind what they call the world’s first BIM Knowledge Reuse Engine.

Our conversation delves deeply into Marty’s roots in the industry, the inception of Skema, and how artificial intelligence is being applied in practical, creative, and measurable ways. Here are some of the most compelling insights from our talk.

Marty’s career began hands-on, starting as a carpenter before transitioning into architectural engineering, architecture, and ultimately software development. His early experiences convinced him of the need to integrate better design and construction data, a vision that continues to drive his work today.

Skema was born from real-world frustrations. When Marty and his team attempted to apply modular construction tools to a complex mixed-use project, existing platforms proved inadequate. That experience led them to collaborate with a talented tech team and reimagine the solution: a platform that turns past BIM projects into flexible, reusable “3D puzzle pieces” that architects can easily adapt for new projects.

At its core, Skema speeds up schematic design by 6–8 weeks. It ingests BIM models, extracts meaningful design intelligence, and enables architects to quickly assemble and morph designs to meet new briefs; all while producing high-quality native Revit data. AI plays a crucial role by automating catalog generation and refining project data, ensuring speed without compromising accuracy.

Crucially, Marty emphasized that AI in architecture should act as an assistant, not a replacement. Skema helps free designers from tedious rework, allowing them to focus on creativity and value creation. Additionally, design catalogs built within Skema become strategic assets for firms, enhancing both project delivery and knowledge retention.

Looking ahead, Skema is building a flexible ecosystem that enables seamless integration of tools like SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit within a data-driven workflow. They are also exploring integrations with automated MEP design solutions to further push toward pre-coordinated, prefab-ready models.

If you’re curious about how AI can speed up and enrich architectural design workflows, Skema.ai is worth a closer look. You can learn more, request a demo, or dive into their blog at skema.ai.

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show, Aarni Heiskanen sits down with Steve Karp, Chief Innovation Officer at Unanet, a leading provider of ERP and CRM solutions for government contractors and AEC firms. With over 30 years of experience in tech and finance, Steve shares a unique perspective on how AI is reshaping proposal writing and contract acquisition in the AEC industry.

Steve unpacks findings from Unanet’s AEC Inspire report, revealing a growing divide between tech-forward firms and those lagging in digital maturity. He discusses the pivotal role of data—not just its management, but its availability—in enabling AI-driven efficiencies. From surfacing relevant past projects to generating 70% of a proposal draft, AI is already cutting response times by up to 70% and halving costs.

Listeners will gain practical advice on how AEC firms can get started with AI, avoid common pitfalls, and plan for a future where integrated, intelligent platforms redefine business development workflows.

If you’re looking to boost efficiency, reduce proposal fatigue, and future-proof your firm, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable strategies.

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn and learn more about Unanet at unanet.com.

Watch the interview on YouTube.

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show, I sat down with Cristina Andersson, a Finnish robotics pioneer whose journey from educator to EU-level robotics strategist is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From launching the EU Robotics Week in Finland to advising ministries on AI and robotics in healthcare, Cristina has a front-row seat to the robotics revolution.

Our conversation dove into the current state and future of robotics, especially as service robots become more intelligent and ubiquitous. Cristina highlighted how robots could free up medical professionals from mundane tasks, like hauling laundry or managing logistics, allowing them to focus on patient care.

We also touched on the construction sector’s cautious but growing adoption of robotics. Cristina envisions robots monitoring job sites, sorting demolition waste, and helping workers as exoskeletons to reduce physical strain. It starts with fantasy, she said, then fact-finding and ROI calculations. But it always begins with imagination.

One of the most striking takeaways was Cristina’s belief that robots could one day help the elderly live independently longer; not by doing everything for them, but by acting as motivational companions.

Cristina reminded us that robotics is not about replacing humans but empowering them. As AI becomes the brain behind increasingly human-like machines, it's time we reimagine not only how we build but also who we build with.

Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn and visit her homepage at cristinaandersson.com.

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show, I sat down with Josh Kanner, Senior Director of Product and Strategy at Oracle Construction & Engineering, to explore how AI is transforming construction.

Josh, a seasoned AI-driven construction tech expert, shared insights on how Oracle is helping its customers harness AI for smarter decision-making, risk mitigation, and efficiency gains.

This is Josh’s second time on the podcast—his first was back in 2021 when he was CEO of Newmetrix, an AI-powered job site safety startup. Now, at Oracle, he’s shaping the future of AI in construction at a whole new level.

Tune in to hear:

• How AI is being used right now on construction projects
• The biggest opportunities (and challenges) AI presents
• What the future holds for AI-powered construction

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AI can help companies win new business by enabling them to use existing digital assets efficiently and finding new ways to communicate with potential clients. These are some of the findings of my discussion with OpenAsset’s Rachelle Ray and Eric Liou on this episode of the AI AEC Show. Tune in!

Our topics

In this interview, we discussed:

• The role of AI in the AEC industry: A tool or a game-changer?
• Where AI can make the most significant difference
• How AI will change how we grow our business
• The challenges and opportunities of generative AI
• Automating digital asset management
• How OpenAsset’s customers benefit from the AI-powered features
• What’s up next at OpenAsset

About the guests

OpenAsset is an AEC-industry-focused digital asset management software company. It helps clients efficiently manage their digital assets – images, and files –  to visualize and showcase projects and create winning proposals. The company offers AI tools for everyday AEC tasks to simplify tagging, searching, and categorizing images.

With over 15 years of experience as an AEC marketer, Rachelle profoundly understands the industry’s unique challenges. Having recently joined OpenAsset as the Head of AEC Marketing Innovation, she is passionate about helping AEC marketers streamline workflows and leverage technology to improve efficiency, storytelling, and business growth.

As the Chief Product Officer, Eric leads OpenAsset’s product and design teams, focusing on integrating AI and automation to enhance digital asset management. With over 20 years of experience in product development, including six years working with AI, Eric is an AI-first product leader who understands how to apply technology to solve real-world business problems in the AEC space.

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show, host Aarni Heiskanen is joined by Charlie Sheridan, Chief Data and AI Officer at Nemetschek Group. The discussion delves into artificial intelligence's transformative impact on the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

Charlie shares his extensive technology background, from his early days at Intel, where he focused on automation and robotics, to his role in the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city initiatives. The conversation highlights how Nemetschek Group is leveraging AI in software development to enhance productivity and profitability in the AEC sector.

Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn.

Tune in to explore the intersection of technology and innovation in shaping the future of construction!

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In this episode of the AI AEC Show, host Aarni Heiskanen welcomes Dr. Sam Zolfagharian, co-founder and president of YegaTech, a consulting firm focused on AI strategies for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

Dr. Zolfagharian shares her background in structural engineering and her journey into the world of AI. She discusses her firsthand experiences on construction sites, where she recognized the need for modernization through technology. 

With a PhD in design computation and data management from Georgia Tech, she emphasizes the importance of AI in enhancing productivity and efficiency within AEC firms. 

Tune in to explore the transformative potential of AI in the industry and learn how YegaTech is helping leaders develop effective AI strategies.

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Welcome to another insightful episode of the AI AEC Show, where we delve into the intersection of technology and innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. I'm your host, Aarni Heiskanen. I had the pleasure of speaking with Amr Raafat, the Chief Innovation Officer at Windover Construction and the host of the Autodesk series "On the Road with Amr."

In this episode, we explored how Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create real value in construction projects. Amr shared how Windover Construction is leveraging technology to push the boundaries of what's possible, focusing on challenging projects and using innovation to mitigate risks and ensure everything is built according to plan.

One of the key highlights of our conversation was a groundbreaking project in the UAE, where Windover combined BIM and AI to streamline the code compliance process for building submissions. Amr explained how they developed software to convert 2D drawings into 3D models using generative design, significantly reducing the time and effort required for code compliance checks. This innovative solution improved efficiency and received positive feedback from architects and municipalities, showcasing its potential for global application.

Amr also discussed the importance of a culture of innovation at Windover, emphasizing the need to take intelligent risks and adopt new technologies. He shared valuable lessons from their projects, including the significance of working on a global scale and understanding different building codes.

For those considering AI for their projects, Amr advised having a solid working system and using AI as a catalyst to enhance existing processes rather than as a standalone solution. He also addressed common misconceptions about AI, reassuring that it empowers professionals rather than replaces them.

As we wrapped up, Amr highlighted the potential of AI and IoT sensors to improve safety and efficiency on construction sites. He encouraged listeners to stay connected through various events and platforms to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in the AEC industry.