COAA-WI Fall 2024 Workshop | AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a futuristic vision or something applicable only to certain industries.  It’s here and here to stay, with capabilities that are becoming more approachable as access to computing power and larger data sets increase.  It’s vital for facilities/project/construction Owners to understand how design professionals and builders are starting to explore – and apply – AI to achieve project goals and improve outcomes.

This was the conversation last Friday at a workshop hosted by COAA’s Wisconsin chapter at UW-Milwaukee’s Golda Meir Library.  The event started with a welcome from Sally Shumaker (State of WI), lunch, and a brief overview of COAA by Executive Director (and honorary cheesehead) Howie Ferguson.  Special guest Justin Hegarty with Reflo then explained and showed some of the phenomenal grounds, landscaping, and stormwater work this startup nonprofit has accomplished at Milwaukee-area schools.

To kick off the AI discussion, Brittanie Campbell-Turner (American Family Insurance, Contructrr, and Builderchain) provided an overview and demonstration of AI tools and their impact on the workplace.  Cory Kamholz (FGM Architects) and James Crichton (CG Schmidt) followed with AI perspectives from the perspective of design and construction practitioners.  After a short break, the presenters were joined by Michele Stanton (HGA) for an interactive panel discussion moderated by Campbell-Turner and David Yandel (FGM Architects).

Much of the group then walked to an hourlong tour of the brand new UWM Chemistry building, led by Karen Wolfort, Campus Architect at UWM.  A smaller subset of the group then made the short drive to Lakefront Brewery for refreshments and casual networking.

Big thanks to UWM for hosting this event, to our sponsors, and to everyone that participated to make this a truly thought-provoking event!  Thanks also to Cory Kamholz and Michele Stanton for helping author this summary.