ACEC Florida: ACEC Annual Presentation Synopsis

During the ACEC Annual Convention & Legislative Summit in May, BST Global Chief Executive Officer Javier A. Baldor gave a compelling presentation about how artificial intelligence and big data are changing the face of the AEC industry.

In the presentation, “How AI + Big Data Will Transform the AEC Industry,” Javier explained that BST Global brought together 14 senior technology visionaries from the world’s preeminent architecture, engineering and environmental consultancies in April 2024 to share how they’re preparing for an AI-powered and data-driven future.

BST Global’s AI Summit was an industry-first event that focused on all things AI for the AEC industry. The event featured speakers from AECOM, Arup, AtkinsRéalis, Gannett Fleming, GHD Digital, HDR, HNTB, Jensen Hughes, Kimley-Horn, Parsons, Populous, Ramboll, Stantec and Terracon.

During his ACEC Annual presentation, Javier reflected on vthe AI Summit and shared industry insights that aligned with three key themes:

1. Embrace Gen Ai

Javier shared that while our industry is massive – estimated to be valued at $17.5 trillion by 2030 – compared to other industries, it’s not very productive and is among the last to digitize.

However, the power of technology will keep growing exponentially, and generative AI models have the potential to radically change our industry. The AEC industry is changing from one where data is a byproduct to one where data is central to the business model.

Javier also presented real generative AI use cases from AECOM, AtkinsRéalis, GHD Digital and HNTB. Additionally, he shared that McKinsey & Company estimated that Gen AI alone is going to add $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually and that Gen AI has the potential to automate up to 50% of work tasks between the years of 2030–2060.

2. Become Data-Driven

BST Global interviewed hundreds of project managers and team members from the world’s leading consultancies and learned they were managing their projects mostly in Microsoft Excel because their current business systems were clunky, confusing, cumbersome and convoluted. These systems were also plagued with disjointed historical data that only offered rearview project visibility.

Javier shared that there is a better way, one that empowers your data by embracing big data solutions and having the right data architecture as the foundation for your AI capabilities. He encouraged the audience to start by unifying disparate structured and unstructured data sources in a “data lake house” and securing it in the cloud. Finally, he noted that firms can realize the prize of making their data smart by leveraging AI and machine learning to deliver predictive insights.

3. Invest In Machine Learning

AI can shift us from a “sense and respond” capability to a “predict and preempt” capability, showcasing some examples from Stantec. Javier said that data is fundamentally the biggest hurdle, the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity for the AEC industry. There has to be a data strategy in play. But, by empowering data with machine learning, firms can predict, detect and optimize their project portfolios.

Javier discussed the machine learning models used by BST Insights, which examine revenue leakage using Net Labor Multiplier as a leading indicator. The model is able to predict a project’s course using data signals, allowing the project manager to course-correct and change the project’s trajectory before it is too late.

In closing, Javier invited the audience to consider what kind of business they’re in. The future of the AEC industry requires us to stop thinking of data as a byproduct and become a datacentric business instead. It is time to think differently.

To learn more about BST Global’s 2024 AI Summit, please visit bstglobal.com/aisummit-2024 / for event videos and downloadable session presentations. BST Global also launched an AEC-focused podcast, The Trailblazers, during the AI Summit with all speakers participating. You can listen to the released episodes at bstglobal. com/podcast.

Interested in attending BST Global’s 2025 AI Summit? Visit bstglobal.com/aisummit2025/ to sign up for registration alerts. Lastly, if you’d like to hear Javier speak in the future, visit BST Global’s events hub to see where he will be next!

Javier Baldor is Chief Executive Officer and a Principal Shareholder of BST Global. Javier leads a global team of professionals responsible for the market introduction of BST Global’s business software products and cloud solutions. Javier is also instrumental in crafting and implementing the company’s business strategy, overall vision and mission with the BST Global leadership team.