BIM is not Dying - Part 2

During my time in Qatar, I discovered Tim Urban's unique Wait But Why blog and his 2-part article on Artificial Intelligence that I recommend for everyone to view. 

"When it comes to history, we think in straight lines. It’s most intuitive for us to think linearly, when we should be thinking exponentially. In order to think about the future correctly, you need to imagine things moving at a much faster rate than they’re moving now."

Authored in 2016, The AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligence explores every aspect of AI, focusing on its impact and its many potential benefits and risks. ChatGPT4 and Large Language Models, which weren’t specifically envisioned then, are just one building block of the Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that is described.

Tim Urban’s ‘Wait but Why’ blog is entertaining, insightful, and inspirational. What I like to share from his AI article is the understanding of where we currently stand on the Human Progress timeline above and why we can be certain that progress will exceed our loftiest expectations.

We are experiencing this already…

On the design side, the potential uses of AI in AEC and BIM present us with an already overwhelming array of choices. There are a growing number of BIM enhancements and generative AI platforms, ensuring that agreement on a single concept is both impossible and undesirable.

The aspect of BIM in which I see amazing potential is its convergence with GIS technology and spatial data in Digital Twin platforms. The emergence of this technology returns the owner to their place as the primary beneficiary of advancements in building technology. They have always had the most to gain and suffered from upstream AEC’s inability to deliver it.

Digital Twin BIM, powered by AI, has the potential to transform how building owners operate and maintain their assets. By providing real-time insights, enabling predictive maintenance, and optimizing building performance, it will significantly enhance building value and improve the overall occupant experience.

"Using BIM within GIS, any structure can be put into a larger, real-world context allowing for deeper analysis by using GIS tools. The highly detailed information in a BIM model contributes to analysis and planning, improving decision-making processes. Combined with GIS data and its location intelligence, deeper analysis can be performed at any stage of the lifecycle, whether it is an early or fully detailed version of the given BIM model."

AI may perfect the BIM process for Design and also provide the framework for information consumption during Operations. Builders’ AI must transform design data and geometry from design to trade hierarchy. Everyone involved in the process must now be stewards for its reliability, so that the outcome desired by the owner can be achieved. There can be no substitute for this. No excuse that allows it to fail.

The pragmatic courage mentioned by Luke Johnson will be needed by BIM Managers to create and enforce the model delivery standards defined in their BIM Execution Plans, via AI or traditional means, including:

• Models must become the Designer’s primary deliverable, taking precedence over 2D drawings.
• Models must be delivered at each planned submittal, at the same time as other contract deliverables.
• A process for Concurrent Record Modeling must be created and enforced, assuring that all changes to the original design are incorporated as they are made.

Ultimately, the success of AI-powered BIM hinges on the leadership and vision of BIM Managers. They must champion the adoption of these technologies, establish clear standards for data quality and exchange, and ensure that the benefits of AI are fully realized for building owners. By embracing these challenges and driving innovation, BIM Managers can maintain their relevance and continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the built environment.