Professional Web Symposium
May 16 & 17, 2025
The intersection of artificial intelligence and architecture is rapidly evolving, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges for design professionals. The “AI, Tech, and Architecture: The Future” symposium brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and innovators to explore how emerging technologies are transforming architectural practice, education, and outcomes. Taking place on May 16-17, 2025, this comprehensive event features insights from pioneers at the forefront of AI integration in the architectural profession
The “AI, Tech, and Architecture: The Future” symposium offers an unprecedented opportunity for architecture professionals to engage with cutting-edge technological developments that are reshaping their field. Through a diverse array of perspectives—from academic researchers to practicing architects and technology developers—the event provides both theoretical frameworks and practical applications of AI in architecture. As the profession stands at this technological inflection point, the symposium equips participants with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving landscape of AI-augmented architectural practice.
Opening Session: May 16th, 2025, 09:00 AM PST | 12:00 PM EST
AI in Architectural Practice: Academia, industry and Research
Prof. Yoav Shoham | Professor Emeritus, Stanford University & Co-Founder, AI21 Labs
Prof. Yoav Shoham stands as a distinguished figure in the field of artificial intelligence, serving as Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Stanford University. His academic excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the IJCAI Research Excellence Award and the AAAI/ACM Allen Newell Award. Prof. Shoham is a Fellow of the AAAI, ACM, and the Game Theory Society. Beyond his academic pursuits, he has successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding several AI companies, most notably AI21 Labs, which focuses on developing advanced AI systems for natural language understanding and processing.
History and Overview of AI
Shoham’s session delivers a concise yet comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence’s evolution, tracing its journey from theoretical foundations in the 1950s through several paradigm shifts to today’s transformative deep learning models. As a pioneer in AI research, Prof. Shoham expertly contextualizes the current AI revolution within broader technological history, highlighting inflection points with particular relevance to architectural practice.
His presentation establishes a common understanding of AI capabilities and limitations before exploring domain-specific applications, effectively setting the stage for subsequent sessions on the intersection of AI and architecture. Shoham delves into the fundamental mechanics of underlying machine learning models, explaining how they can be specifically trained to understand architectural principles and construction constraints.
John H. Locke, AIA | Senior Research Scientist, Autodesk
John H. Locke is a registered architect and Senior Research Scientist at Autodesk, where he leads interdisciplinary teams at the forefront of the AEC industry. With over a decade of experience, his work focuses on developing sustainable architectural solutions, particularly in adaptive reuse projects and learning environments. Locke’s research integrates AI and machine learning to enhance material selection and design processes, aiming to create a more equitable and carbon-negative built environment. His position at the intersection of architectural practice and technological innovation provides him with unique insights into how AI tools can address pressing sustainability challenges.
AI-Assisted Material Selection for Sustainable Architecture
John Locke’s presentation introduces research on AI-assisted workflows designed to transform sustainable material selection in architecture. He begins by contextualizing the urgent need for such tools, highlighting how the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, with embodied carbon from materials projected to comprise nearly half of all emissions by 2050.
The core of Locke’s presentation is a demonstration of his research team’s prototype system, which converts wall assembly sketches into knowledge graphs and provides tailored sustainable material recommendations. This innovative system combines large language models with advanced data visualization techniques and has been rigorously tested with eleven practicing architects.
Locke presents compelling findings showing how their AI tool significantly reduces time demands, effort, and frustration compared to typical workflows. Particularly noteworthy is the data showing experienced architects reporting dramatically lower mental burdens when using the system. The prototype effectively contextualizes material options within project goals and performance requirements, making complex sustainability decisions more accessible.
With candor, Locke addresses current limitations of the system, including the need for greater transparency in AI recommendations, simpler user interfaces, and more robust verification capabilities. He outlines clear pathways for improvement, including enhanced data visualization transitions and stronger explanation features to build user trust.
The session concludes with a thoughtful discussion of how these AI tools could fundamentally accelerate the adoption of sustainable architectural practices across the industry, potentially transforming how architects approach material selection and environmental impact assessment.
Fireside Chat – Prof. Yoav Shoham and John Locke, AIA
The session culminates in a forward-looking fireside chat that brings together the academic and industry perspectives represented by Prof. Shoham and John Locke. This dialogue examines how architectural practice and education are evolving to address the AI paradigm shift. The speakers collaboratively present a comprehensive analysis of various AEC stages, identifying relevant AI techniques, potential applications, and current maturity levels for each stage.
The panelists explore curriculum innovations preparing students and practicing architects for AI-augmented practice, including new forms of computational thinking, ethics courses addressing algorithmic bias in the built environment, and studio methodologies that incorporate AI tools without sacrificing fundamental design skills. The discussion thoughtfully examines tensions between traditional architectural practices and emerging technologies, questioning how tacit knowledge and embodied understanding of space can be preserved while embracing computational approaches.
The conversation highlights ongoing research projects bridging academia and practice, including collaborative studios with tech companies and real-world implementation of AI research prototypes. The session concludes with speculative scenarios about architectural practice and education, challenging attendees to consider long-term professional adaptation strategies in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
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📅 Don’t Miss This Event
AI, Tech, and Architecture: The Future
May 16–17, 2025 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM PST / 12:00 PM–4:00 PM EST
Hosted by SARA National | 8 HSW Continuing Education Credits Available
