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GENERATIVE AI: REINVENTING THE BUSINESS OF ARCHITECTURE by Faizan Zaidi, Director of Design Technology, Spectorgroup
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n the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancements, the intersection of artificial intelligence and architecture has begun to show signs of radically reshaping the foundations of the profession. As AI tools permeate deeper into our work lives, it’s an increasing possibility that Generative AI, with its remarkable potential, finds its place as an essential tool for architects and designers. When assessing the current status of Generative AI tools in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, however, it’s essential to contextualize their position within the broader framework of the Hype Cycle for emerging technologies. In 1995, Jackie Fenn developed a framework to chart the rise and adoption of technological trends over time. Hype Cycle embodies the idea that every emerging technology experiences a pattern of boom-and-bust before ultimately discovering practical applications that foster gradual growth. An illustrative example of this phenomenon is the late 1990s dot-com boom, characterized by a frenzy of internet adoption and subsequent market collapse, which led to the demise of many internet companies. However, from the infamous collapse emerged enduring giants like Amazon, Adobe, and eBay, which have fundamentally transformed various facets of our lives. In a similar vein, Generative AI in the architecture industry can currently be placed in the ‘Technology Trigger’ phase, where actual utility is difficult to distinguish from the overwhelming enthusiasm. While a plethora of AI-driven tools is making inroads into the industry, it can be challenging to discern long-term adoption trends amidst the current landscape.
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Hype Cycle: Each hype cycle drills down into the five key phases of a technology’s life cycle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner_ hype_cycle
Current State of Generative AI Looking strictly from the lens of technical prowess, even in its nascent stages, Generative AI tools are showing capabilities that were previously not available to architects and designers. Tools that have gained traction in the industry have been, for the most part, associated with the conceptual and planning phases of a project. The majority of these tools use a Language Learning Model (LLM,) which is trained from troves of existing data and visuals. With these tools, a text prompt of a vague