How do architects, engineers, and designers stop AI overwhelm?

ADDDitive: Transforming Practice: Tools, Strategies, and Insights for the Digital Architect.

Author

Allister Lewis
July 23, 2025

In partnership with

Welcome to the 8th edition of ADDDitive!

👋 Hi there,

Over the past year, one of the biggest questions I’ve been asked is: “How do architects, engineers, and designers keep up with the overwhelming pace of AI?”

It’s a question I ask myself too.

That’s why I was delighted to join the inaugural AI & AEC Think Tank session last week, a chance to talk openly about the challenges and the opportunities AI brings to our industry.

For me, it’s personal. When I left practice to build my own company, I set out with one mission: to help as many people as possible understand the potential of construction technology, not just as a buzzword but as a real way to improve how we design and build.

In the session, we explored how AI is already streamlining workflows, cutting costs, and unlocking creativity but also how easy it is to feel swamped by new tools, models, and expectations.

I shared my own Growth-Ready Tech Strategy and database of tools, while George Guida and Naman Mehta offered their inspiring perspectives on xFigura and the wider AI & AEC community.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of change this is for you.

Allister

1. How do architects, engineers, and designers stop AI overwhelm?

I was invited to the inaugural AI & AEC Think Tank session, we explored how architects, engineers, and construction professionals can harness AI to streamline workflows, cut costs, and unlock creativity.

Highlights:

  • Naman Mehta introduced the AI & AEC community: a collaborative space for professionals to exchange insights on AI-integrated design, documentation, and project delivery.

  • Allister Lewis showcased his comprehensive database and marketplace of 1,600+ construction tech tools, and outlined his Growth-Ready Tech Strategy - a roadmap for firms to embrace innovation effectively (see later).

  • George Guida demoed xFigura, an AI-powered ideation platform that centralizes 26+ multimodal models for concept design, enabling teams to collaborate, iterate, and visualise faster than ever.

View my 1 minute Instagram post for a snapshot of the discussion

The discussion also tackled:

  • How AI can reduce project phases from weeks to hours.

  • The rising demand for generative AI skills in AEC, and how to upskill.

  • How smaller, nimble companies are innovating faster than industry giants.

  • The challenge of keeping up with the constant influx of new tools and how platforms like xFigura and curated resources can help cut through the noise.

Key takeaway: AI isn’t just a trend, it’s becoming essential to remain competitive. Professionals who embrace continuous learning, critical thinking, and hybrid workflows will thrive in the evolving AEC landscape.

Next steps:
1. Explore the AEC Tech Jobs Board for roles in computational design, Product Management, and more.
2. Download my free Generative Design Software Cheat Sheet and strategy template.
3. Try Xfigura for free at xfigura.ai.

Thanks to Naman, Allister, George, and everyone who joined. Missed it? The recording and resources are available here: Ep1: AI in AEC ThinkTank with Allister Lewis and George George Guida.

2. Top 5 signs your company needs a Growth-Ready Tech Plan to future-proof your practice:

✅ Hardware – Are your machines and devices keeping up with the demands of modern tools?

✅ Infrastructure – Is your network, storage, and cloud setup fit for distributed, secure collaboration?

✅ Software – Are you using the right mix of applications or drowning in overlapping subscriptions?

✅ Workflows – Do your tools actually support the way you work, or do they force bad habits?

✅ AI – Are you starting to integrate AI where it makes sense or missing easy wins?

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Many firms wait until it’s painful to tackle these issues but you don’t have to.

If this resonates then I would love to connect and find out more:

3. Professional Milestone Achieved!

Giraffe and Fenestra workflow YouTube video

Last week, I reached a professional milestone - 500000 impressions on LinkedIn in the last 12 months!

When I started this journey, starting up my own company, looking for leads, exploring what the focus is, I always had one key mission;  to reach as many people as possible with the opportunities that construction technology software offers.

I chose LinkedIn to do this as this is where professionals who want to hear about new, insightful and informed content. Over the last year I have:

  • Met amazing people who are in the same space.

  • Connected with 450+ ConTech companies to promote their growth 

  • Helped inform architects on a range of topics - generative design, AI, technology adoption

I wanted to say thanks to everyone and let you know I appreciate the support as I grow. There is so much more to achieve and do. 

September onwards there are some exciting things coming!

Find out why 1M+ professionals read Superhuman AI daily.

In 2 years you will be working for AI

Or an AI will be working for you

Here's how you can future-proof yourself:

  1. Join the Superhuman AI newsletter – read by 1M+ people at top companies

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Join 1,000,000+ pros at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon that are using AI to get ahead.

4. New Career in ConTech roles shared last week 

Here are 20 top software companies looking for skilled and experienced AEC professionals:

I love the construction industry and discovering great buildings. But we need better software tools to create good architecture.

Here are 10 top software companies looking for skilled and experienced AEC professionals to help us do this:

Datagrid AI - Datagrid is the AI Agent that gets work done for you. 

ComfyUI - Building ComfyUI 

Finch - The future of building planning. 

Automated Architecture (AUAR) - Building a global, automated construction ecosystem for sustainable, affordable and beautiful housing 

SmartViz - Building Analytics software to Boost Financial Performance from Real Estate, Enhance Productivity, and Drive to Net Zero 

Acelab - Using AI to create a new language for material decision making 

Parspec - Helping leading sales agents and distributors to bid more, win more, and improve profitability. 

Higharc - The connected homebuilding cloud platform to design, sell, and build homes and communities. 

Motif - Shaping the world 

InspectMind AI - automate construction field reports using AI 

Join them to:

  • Help these tools find their market.

  • Help them grow.

  • Help build the future instead of waiting for it.

👉 Explore open roles www.AECTechJobs.com 

What role would you like to know more about? Product Managers are top of my list.

5. LinkedIn 101 for ConTech Companies

6. How to Move into ConTech

Want to Move into ConTech? Check out AEC Tech Jobs - all the best new roles from Computational Designer, Product Manager, Software Developer, Marketing and Sales are all here. Join one of the fastest growing industry out there for ConTech roles.

Are you a ConTech company- reach out and we would be happy to add your latest roles.

Please forward this to a colleague that you think will benefit from the content.

Get in touch with any questions you may have: [email protected]

Thanks for reading!

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