Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost declares AI’s practical utility surpasses previous hype.
- Industry leaders witness AI’s transformative potential at Autodesk’s AU 2024 conference.
- Investment in AI technology is now a priority for the construction industry.
- Autodesk aims to streamline workflows by addressing bottlenecks with AI integration.
- Data utilisation remains a challenge, with only 5% of industry data currently used.
Autodesk CEO, Andrew Anagnost, has announced at the AU 2024: The Design & Make Conference that the gap between AI hype and its practical utility is closing. The sentiment marks a significant shift from mere experimentation to actionable investment in AI technologies across the construction sector.
At the conference in San Diego, Anagnost noted: “When new technologies rise up to change the way we work and live, they inevitably come with a lot of hype. That hype always seems to exceed the usefulness of the technology until – and it happens quite suddenly – it doesn’t, and the utility becomes obvious.” This underscores a newfound industry-wide recognition of AI’s capabilities.
Anagnost emphasised the consequences and risks involved as industries navigate which AI practices and technologies will be most impactful. He stressed, “The great sorting out of the good from the bad is just beginning,” signalling Autodesk’s commitment to supporting this transition by ensuring data flows efficiently to enhance productivity.
The talk highlighted Autodesk’s proactive measures to leverage AI transformation, as described by executive vice president and chief technology officer Raji Arasu. Arasu compared AI’s integration to relying on a pace setter in running, implying that Autodesk is positioned to lead this industry-wide shift.
However, a critical challenge remains: the underutilisation of industry-generated data. Nicolas Mangon, vice president of AutoCAD & AEC industry strategy at Autodesk, pointed out that only 5% of data is used effectively. He metaphorically compared this to a “Ferrari locked in your garage,” pointing to the urgent need for better data management to meet rising demand despite a shortfall in workforce availability.
Autodesk and industry leaders are now focusing on harnessing AI’s full potential to revolutionise the built environment.
