Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Autodesk Annual One Team Conference in Nashville, USA. This event brought together Autodesk experts and partners from around the globe to discuss the latest advancements and future directions in Autodesk software and solutions.
During the event, I engaged in a series of insightful sessions, workshops and meetings with Autodesk leadership and industry experts. The sessions focused on Autodesk’s emerging technologies and customer-focused initiatives. My takeaways from the experience include:
Embracing Artificial Intelligence
A standout theme was Autodesk’s commitment to artificial intelligence (AI). The event showcased how Autodesk is embracing AI and using it to fundamentally change the landscape of design and construction.
- Smarter, Faster Design: Autodesk is developing AI-powered tools that will automate repetitive tasks. At the moment, this is very focused on the early stages of design, and using the power of AI to develop multiple concept ideas that can then be taken by the designer into detailed design.
- Enhanced Decision Making: In the detailed design stage, AI is being developed to work as your companion, forecasting challenges and offering optimised design solutions in real-time, based on your design choices. This will extend to real-time code compliance and cost-efficiency suggestions.
- Collaboration Tools: AI is enabling more intuitive (and automatic), collaboration by streamlining communication and data sharing. Having information at the fingertips of the users who require it, will further enable idea-sharing and a more unified approach to complex project delivery.
Moving to the AEC Platform
Autodesk’s future vision of the AEC industry is integration onto the “platform”. This is a comprehensive ecosystem of tools and services, all operating on a cloud environment, supporting the full lifecycle of a project. Rather than using a single software product for each particular stage of the project, the Platform will bring together a connected environment across each application, enabling teams to work collaboratively, smarter and faster.
- Core tools such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Revit will operate as the interface of the cloud model, enabling a detailed, data-rich design. All model data will be interconnected and accessible through a centralised data platform.
- Data Management will be integral to the platform, and be accessible through cloud-based services such as Docs and the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Looking Ahead
Attending the Autodesk One Team Conference affirms our commitment to supporting our customers and the wider industry. The insights gained – especially those relating to the future of AEC technology in AI and Platform innovation – will play a pivotal role in how your business operates in the medium to long term. It also forms the basis for the services and support that we offer you, in order to assist you in staying at the forefront of innovation in the software you use.
If you are curious to learn more about the future of Autodesk technology, reply to me on this email.
About The Author
Ben our Autodesk Business Manager and a structural engineer, has experience with renowned firms including Opus International, SMEC, and WSP, specialising in bridge design on notable projects such as the Pacific Highway Upgrade. Using his technical expertise, he advises on leveraging Autodesk products to enhance productivity.