Lilian Ho at the IA Congress: “In the last decade, we’ve accelerated workflows by up to 1000%. Now, adopting AI is essential”

ZIGURAT Institute of Technology has held its first International Congress on Artificial Intelligence for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, offering three sessions in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese and English). The event was free to attend and attracted over 5,000 professionals from across the globe.

The English-language panel featured three leading figures in digital innovation: Lilian Ho, Digital & BIM Lead at AECOM and Academic Director of the Master’s in Artificial Intelligence for Architecture & Construction at ZIGURAT; Jordana de Castro Rosa, BIM Manager at WSP and expert in AI-based solutions for complex projects; and Varun Bhartiya, CEO and co-founder of nCircle Tech, with more than 15 years of experience developing technology tools for the sector.

Lilian Ho opened the session with an inspiring presentation on the role of generative AI in the early stages of architectural design. “Generative AI can produce multiple optimised design options in seconds, enabling more creative, sustainable and efficient decisions from the very beginning of the project,” she explained.

Ho emphasised how this technology transforms not only design processes but also risk management, project planning, resource allocation, and the ability to meet sustainability goals. “We are entering an era of smart decisions and automated workflows,” she stated. Reflecting on the pace of change, Ho added: “In the last decade, we’ve accelerated workflows by up to 1000%. Now AI is here – and it is essential to adopt it.”

AI for Design and Interoperability

Next, Jordana de Castro presented two pioneering projects: AI2Speckle and Ecomatic, developed using technologies such as Stable Diffusion. These tools allow AI-generated images to be integrated into real BIM workflows, assigning materials enriched with embedded carbon data.

“Our solution turns AI-generated renders into actionable data within Revit, linking textures, materials and sustainability properties. This not only saves time, it also leads to more conscious decision-making,” she explained.

Jordana also addressed the persistent challenge of interoperability between BIM platforms and showcased how her team has built tools to overcome technical barriers and improve consistency between materials and 3D models.

AI in Construction and Maintenance

Varun Bhartiya closed the session by sharing real-world examples of how his team has drastically accelerated processes using AI. One standout case was the automatic conversion of laser scans into BIM models for residential energy efficiency projects. “We reduced what was previously a five-day manual process to a fully automated one-day workflow. Thanks to AI alone, we cut modelling time by 30%,” he noted.

He also demonstrated AI applications for issue management in platforms like Autodesk Construction Cloud, data visualisation using conversational interfaces in Power BI, and text-to-render tools for rapid exploration of conceptual design options.

The three panellists concluded the English session of the congress with a clear call to action: “AI is not the future – it’s the present. Those who don’t use it will be left behind,” declared Varun. “Keep learning. The possibilities are infinite,” Jordana added. The congress served as the platform to present Zigurat’s new Master’s in Artificial Intelligence for Architecture and Construction, directed by Lilian Ho. The one-year programme offers advanced training in AI for the AECO sector, covering everything from generative design and machine learning to smart cities and sustainability.