This episode launches the AI in Construction: Value of Data series, where we interview recipients of the Best Data Award and explore how high-quality datasets are created, shared, and used to advance AI applications in construction.

In this first episode, we speak with Dr. Fernanda Leite, Vice President for Research and Joe J. King Professor in Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, about the development and sharing of the 3Dfacilities dataset.

Dr. Leite shares insights into the motivation behind creating high-quality construction and built environment datasets, practical challenges in data collection and curation, and the importance of benchmarking, reproducibility, and long-term data sustainability. The conversation also highlights broader lessons for researchers, students, and practitioners working at the intersection of BIM, construction engineering, digital twins, and artificial intelligence.

About Our Guest

Dr. Fernanda Leite is Vice President for Research and Joe J. King Professor in Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on building information modeling, construction engineering, resilient systems engineering, and the integration of 3D modeling and artificial intelligence to support sustainable and adaptable infrastructure. Her leadership and research have been highly influential in advancing data-driven innovation in the built environment.

Special thanks to Dr. Leite for sharing her time, expertise, and insights with the ASCE DSA community.