Better AI Isn’t the Answer. A Better Question Is.

Everyone wants smarter tools. But I’ve seen too many AEC firms rush into AI without first understanding what they’re solving.

Here’s the truth:

👉 AI can’t fix confusion.

👉 AI won’t clarify goals.

👉 AI doesn’t work if you don’t know what “better” actually means.

90% of the time, the breakthrough doesn’t come from a smarter model — it comes from a clearer conversation.

Before you chase another shiny solution, pause and ask:

• What exactly are we trying to fix?

• Is this a people, process, or data issue?

• What does success actually look like?

AI can accelerate progress — but only if you're already pointed in the right direction.

We’re kicking off a new interview series with AEC professionals who bring unique data-driven perspectives to their work.

The first interview I wanted to share is a conversation where I was the guest. Tomaž Šimnovec and Zala Zia Lenárdič conducted the interview with me, and we explored how AI can enhance our understanding of the built environment’s effect on health — and why it’s a path to more empathetic design.

Here are the most relevant tech news highlights from the past week:

1. AI Automates Construction Progress Tracking DroneDeploy's Progress AI automates construction progress tracking by interpreting real-world visual data from drone flights and 360 walkthroughs.

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2. BIMnesia: What Your Models Forgot and Why It Matters This article explores the pitfalls of relying solely on BIM tools like Revit, advocating for a more comprehensive approach to data management.

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3. Schneider Electric Advances Decarbonization Efforts Schneider Electric partners with One Click LCA to support client decarbonization efforts in the AEC industry.

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4. AEC Industry Turns to GIS for Coordination and Efficiency GIS integration with BIM is enhancing coordination, visualization, and efficiency in the AEC industry. Read more

5. Fortifying Blueprints Against Ransomware As IoT devices and AI are integrated into AEC projects, they face increased cybersecurity threats.

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6. AI in Construction: A New Era of Certainty AI is being touted as a solution for increasing certainty in capital projects, enhancing predictability and planning. Read more

7. Arcol Unleashed - BIM 2.0 Arcol's platform enhances data integration and presentation tools, creating a unified cloud-based environment.

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8. Buildots Aids NHS Project Efficiency AI-powered predictive analytics from Buildots helps keep NHS projects on track by identifying inefficiencies early.

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9. The New Era of Human-Centered Design in Architecture Andrea Steele emphasizes the benefits of human-centered design in architecture, promoting innovative and empathetic solutions.

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10. The Impact of Human-Centered Lighting Design Recommendations for incorporating human-centered lighting in building design and construction to positively impact mood and behavior.

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11. Tech-Enabled Pharmaceutical Facilities The market for tech-enabled pharmaceutical facilities is set to grow with advancements in facility management and compliance monitoring.

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12. JLL Launches Tech Advisory Services in Southeast Asia JLL introduces tech-based advisory services in Thailand to support the proptech sector.

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📬 I’d Love Your Feedback If these ideas spark anything — agreement, disagreement, or curiosity — hit reply.

Until next time,

Shicong Cao, DataDrivenAEC