How can AI help with sustainability in the built environment?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we design, construct, and manage our buildings and cities—but how can it accelerate sustainability outcomes in the built environment? This panel will unpack the transformative potential of AI to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and support climate-responsive design. From predictive maintenance in smart buildings to AI-powered material optimisation and carbon footprint modelling, panellists will explore real-world applications and the ethical, technical and policy challenges that come with them. Whether you’re a designer, developer, policymaker or technologist, this session will offer insights into how AI can be harnessed to build a smarter, greener future.

Learning Outcomes

Following this presentation, you should be able to:

• Outline the various environmental impacts associated with the construction industry
• Identify the challenges associated with reducing these impacts
• Outline the current capabilities of AI, and explain the ways it can be applied to the architectural and construction sectors
• Explain the potential of AI to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and support climate-responsive design

This presentation will deliver outcomes related to the following Competency/s from the National Standard of Competency for Architects 2021:

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

PC 10 – Demonstrate understanding of the whole life carbon implications of procurement methods, materials, components and construction systems.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

PC 28 – Be able to draw on knowledge from building sciences and technology, environmental sciences and behavioural and social sciences as part of preliminary design research and when developing the conceptual design to optimise the performance of the project.

PC 31 – Be able to identify, analyse and integrate information relevant to environmental sustainability – such as energy and water consumption, resources depletion, waste, embodied carbon and carbon emissions – over the lifecycle of a project.

PC 35 – Be able to assess operational and embodied carbon implications of materials, components, construction systems and supply chains (including transport) to achieve net zero whole life carbon when developing design concepts. This includes integrating relevant consultant expertise and advising on the impact of chosen materials, components and systems on carbon outcomes.

This session is presented by: