BiLT ANZ has come and gone for another year, and as I sit down to reflect on the event, I’m struck by the transformative power of digital innovation in our industry. The conference provided plenty of insights, connections, and forward-thinking discussions that left me energized about the future of AEC.
One of the highlights of my time at BILT was participating in a panel discussion on digital innovation. Alongside talented professionals like Monica Greco, Eva Zamshina, Tom Wong, Jessica Baisley, and Jake Nash, we explored the complex interplay between technology and organizational culture. The conversation was engaging, and it was fantatic being able to contribute to such diverse perspectives along with other industry experts.
The panel discussion highlighted the importance of balancing technological advancements with human-centered approaches in our industry. It’s clear that as we push forward with digital transformation, we must equally invest in nurturing a culture that embraces change and innovation.
This shift in focus highlights a crucial point in our industry: the most advanced technology is only as effective as the people and culture supporting it.
Practical Implementation of AI
Kicking off Thursday morning, I presented on “Top 10 Practical AI Workflows to Elevate Your Practice Today.” This session was intended to provide informative advice about AI for AEC professionals at all levels, from beginners to experts. The goal was to showcase how AI can be integrated into daily AEC workflows, without the need for advanced technical skills or a degree in computer science. By focusing on practical, accessible applications, my aim was to empower attendees to start leveraging AI in their work immediately.

Here’s a quick rundown of the topics covered, of which each will come to digitalbbq in more detail over the coming months:
- Structuring thoughts and general assistance with documents
- Email productivity enhancement
- Analyzing project BIM requirements
- Assistance with site inspection reports
- AI-generated profile photos
- Automated laser scanning with AI-driven robots
- Computer vision for PPE detection
- AI in automated site inspections
- AI in architectural visualization
The future of AI in our industry is vast and exciting. As I concluded, “AI’s potential in the AEC industry is only limited by your imagination. Whether you’re solving day-to-day challenges or looking for innovative ways to push the industry forward, the tools are out there—you just need to find them.”
Digital Twins and Existing Asset Data Collection
My final presentation was on “The Evolution of Existing Asset Digitisation: My Personal Journey from Asset Data Collection to Cloud-Enhanced Digital Twins.” This talk traced the progression of asset management and digital twin technology over the past couple of decades.

Key points from my presentation included:
- We discussed how methods have changed from paper-based systems and basic spreadsheets to today’s sophisticated digital tools and laser scanning technologies.
- I explained how digital twins have evolved from early twinning concepts used by NASA in the 1960s to today’s IoT-connected, AI-enhanced virtual representations.
- We explored how digital twins are being used across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and urban planning, to optimize processes and improve decision-making.
- I shared insights on dealing with data overload, emphasizing the importance of collecting the right amount of data – what I called the ‘Goldilocks’ amount – to meet clients’ specific needs.
- I recounted experiences from early projects, highlighting the challenges of inconsistent data and the importance of standardization in data collection.
- We discussed how cloud computing has become essential for digital twins, enabling real-time data analysis and collaboration.
- The talk concluded with a look at emerging technologies like AI and IoT, and how they’re shaping the future of digital twins in the AEC industry.
Throughout the presentation, I emphasised the importance of starting with clear objectives and choosing tools that match the client’s needs, rather than pushing a “one-size-fits-all” solution or pursuing complexity for its own sake. The overarching message was that digital twins, when implemented thoughtfully, can significantly enhance project outcomes and operational efficiency across the lifecycle of built assets.
Until Next Year
As I look back on the BILT Conference, I have a lot of optimism about the future of our industry. It’s clear that while AI and other advanced technologies will play a significant role in shaping our future, it’s the people – their creativity, adaptability, and collaborative spirit – that will truly drive progress.
The conference served as a powerful reminder that continuous learning and open exchange of ideas are not just beneficial – they’re essential. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such enriching discussions and look forward to putting these insights into practice.
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