From Generative AI to Re-Generative AI

Disclaimer: The short article below is inspired from Ian Gordon’s Digital Construction Week 2023 presentation named “Data and the Built Environment”, and focuses on how AI can transform the Built Environment for societal good

We are at an inflection point. Generative AI is incredibly fun to experiment with, whether it’s to write poems in the voice of your favourite writer, or to generate an oil painting of an architect looking towards their finished project.

But AI can be more than just a fun way to kill time. It can be a driving force to regenerate our environment. How?

By aligning AI’s reward function with societal outcomes. Imagine an AI system that sorts through mounds of data to find the most sustainable materials for construction or to reduce energy consumption.

It’s like a turbo-charged brain for our ‘system of systems,’ processing real-time data to make instant decisions for the betterment of society.

Let’s face it, humans are biased. We often make decisions based on emotion, not logic. While AI is not immune to biases (it learns from us, after all), it has the advantage of consistency. Once properly programmed and trained, AI can make quick, non-emotive, and scalable decisions.

An example is AI identifying wasteful practices in construction projects or energy consumption patterns that could be streamlined.

Data is the new gold, and the built environment is a goldmine of untapped data. From construction materials to urban traffic flows, the sheer volume of information is overwhelming.

By synthesizing all this data, it can offer insights that were previously unthinkable. Need to find the best energy-saving solution for a building complex? Or how to make a construction project more eco-friendly? AI (could) have you covered.

Gone are the days when data science was limited to charts and graphs. Generative AI has the capability to engage in a conversation with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

Need advice on whether a particular construction material is sustainable or not? Ask the AI. It can reason through heuristics, providing nuanced solutions that can be quickly implemented.

Generative AI has the potential to transform from a mere tool to a full-fledged partner in regenerating our built environment. By correcting for biases, unlocking vast information resources, and engaging with professionals in a more interactive way, we’re looking at a smarter, more sustainable future.

If you would like to find out more about our work, visit our website, or reach out at info@2050-materials.com