Insights from the AI in Action Conference
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry - it’s here, it’s evolving fast, and it’s already reshaping how projects are designed, managed, and delivered. During Construction Institute’s recent AI In Action conference, a group of industry leaders discussed how they’re implementing AI across their organizations, the challenges they’re facing, and why embracing the technology now is essential.
From Curiosity to Implementation
The discussion brought together experts representing architecture, construction, engineering, and technology. While their paths into AI differed, their motivations were strikingly similar: curiosity, necessity, and the drive to work smarter.
Danielle O’Connell of Skanska described how AI has quietly become part of nearly every system the company uses—from project management to financial tools. “Every vendor seems to be building some kind of chatbot or co-pilot into their platforms,” she noted. “We’re focused on educating our teams on what’s safe to use and how to use it responsibly.”
For Jamie Barr of Langan Engineering, the journey began in 2022 with a tip from a friend who happened to be an early investor in OpenAI. After more than 1,500 hours of prompt-engineering training, Barr is now leading AI adoption across his firm. “AI isn’t going away,” he said. “It’s an eight-million-pound freight train coming at us—you can’t stop it, so you’d better get on board.”
AI as the New Intern
The group agreed that the key to success is shifting how teams think about AI. Rather than expecting perfection, they treat it as an “intern”—a capable assistant that performs best with clear direction. As Will Magneson of Document Crunch put it, “If you’re not using AI, you’re probably going to be replaced by someone who does.”
This mindset of using AI as an assistant is helping firms achieve meaningful results. Microsoft Copilot, for example, is being used to summarize meetings, prepare task lists, and surface project information from emails and Teams messages. Custom chatbots and knowledge bases are helping organizations like SMMA turn internal data into accessible, searchable expertise. “It’s not about artificial intelligence,” said Mike Kyes from SMMA. “It’s about capturing human intelligence.”
Overcoming Barriers
Despite the enthusiasm, adoption remains a challenge. Even after three years of focused effort, Barr estimates that only about 30% of his company actively uses AI tools. Cost, security, and cultural resistance are persistent hurdles.
The panelists emphasized a pragmatic approach: start small, start safe, and start now. Volunteer committees and “champions” inside organizations can build momentum even without big budgets. Security, they agreed, must always come first—AI tools should meet standards like SOC 2 compliance before being integrated into company workflows.
Practical Tools and Real-World Gains
The conversation underscored a shift toward vertical AI—tools designed for specific industries and tasks rather than generic platforms. Magneson compared OpenAI to the iPhone: “The real innovation happens in the apps built on top of it.” For construction, that means specialized solutions like Document Crunch for contract review or Glide and Lovable for easy, low-code app creation.
Panelists also noted how tools like these democratize technology. “A non-technical principal at our firm built an app to track international staff travel,” Barr said. “It was a mind-blowing moment—it made everyone realize what’s possible.”
Rethinking Communication and Collaboration
One surprising theme that emerged was how learning to communicate with AI is making people better communicators in general. “When you use AI, you have to provide context, ask better questions, and refine your direction,” said Barr. “That’s exactly what good human communication looks like.”
Looking Ahead: Building Confidence and Capability
As the AEC industry continues its AI journey, the message from the panel was clear: start imperfectly, experiment safely, and focus on value over hype. The Construction Institute’s upcoming AI in Practice Series will expand on these discussions, offering live virtual demonstrations and practical guidance for professionals at every stage of adoption. Stay tuned....
Final Words of Advice: “Don’t wait for perfection,” said Magneson. “A 50% improvement in efficiency is still a huge win.”