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FROM THE FOUNDER
Anything that requires human intelligence to deal with different complex human behavioral issues isn’t going to be replaced by AI any time soon, if ever. Is AI going to eliminate the need for AEC?
I have heard a lot of noise out there about how artificial intelligence is going to make architects, engineers, etc., obsolete. I want to go on the record and say I don’t believe that one bit! Will AI be a tool that helps us design stuff? Absolutely. Will AI be a tool that helps do some writing? Sure. Will there be other uses for AI in our business that become evident over time? Most certainly.
Mark Zweig
The flaw in thinking AI is going to make all of those in the AEC business unnecessary is that so much of what we do in this business has nothing to do with just cranking out designs and construction drawings. For example: ■ Can AI go sell a city council on rezoning a piece of property or giving a variance? No. ■ Can AI meet with a lender to help a developer client get the preconstruction appraisal they need to finance a project? No.
■ Can AI help angry local homeowners who are running out of well water because the local farm is using all of it? No. I could obviously go on and on here, but I think I have made my point. Anything that requires human intelligence to deal with different complex human behavioral issues isn’t going to be replaced by AI any time soon, if ever. There are just too many variables to consider. The AEC business has a long runway ahead. We have a massive talent shortage that isn’t easing one bit. We live in an increasingly complex world. We have exploding needs from growth. We have constant
Can AI get a building committee for a new building at a university to all agree on everything about the project before it gets built? No.
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See MARK ZWEIG , page 6
THE ZWEIG LETTER FEBRUARY 5, 2024, ISSUE 1523
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