EPISODE 397: Is AI the future of the AEC industry? Join me and my co-host Ariel Castillo as we discover how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the architecture, engineering, and construction industries with this week’s guest, Mehdi Nourbakhsh, a former structural engineer turned AI expert and CEO of YegaTech. With decades of experience, Mehdi dives deep into the transformative potential of AI–from automating mundane tasks to crafting sustainable futures. He shares his transition from structural engineering to the forefront of AI development, highlighting how AI is not just a tool but a game-changer in design, construction, and operational efficiency. We also explore the evolution of AI technologies, their current applications in the industry, the future of the AEC industry, and how people can overcome resistance and fear to leverage AI effectively. Let’s get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From structural engineering to AI in the AEC industry (05:05) Evolution of AI technologies over the last two decades (10:48) Defining AI in the context of the AEC industry (13:55) Opportunities for leveraging AI in AEC companies (16:24) Examples of AI applications on the corporate side of AEC (20:35) Steps for organizations to start leveraging AI (24:47) How to address employee fears about AI (28:47) Real-world consequences of resistance to AI adoption (34:09) Importance of data governance and strategy in AI implementation (39:19) Resources for companies interested in AI (42:19) Construction technology news of the week (44:17) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at https://thecontechcrew.com Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew — Follow Mehdi Nourbakhsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdinour/ Check out YegaTech for more information: https://yegatech.com/ — See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Apple Vision Pro Launch https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-vision-pro-available-in-the-us-on-february-2/ ➡️ Meta to add ‘AI-generated’ label to images created with OpenAI, Midjourney and other tools https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/06/tech/meta-ai-generated-images-label-third-party-tools/ ➡️ Finance worker pays out $25 million after video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/02/04/asia/deepfake-cfo-scam-hong-kong-intl-hnk/index.html ➡️ Aurora exec Nat Beuse explains why 2024 stands to be a ‘big year’ in AVs https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2024/02/06/nat-beuse-aurora-avs-2024-driverless – The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology. Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!