This week on What a Week, Dave Stutzman and Steve Gantner explore the growing role of AI in design and construction workflows and the unexpected challenges that come with it. Sparked by real-world examples from both the industry and Conspectus, the conversation examines how AI can generate convincing but inaccurate RFIs, cite standards that do not exist, and create additional work for project teams trying to separate fact from fiction. While AI can be a valuable tool for research, coordination, and product evaluation, the discussion serves as a practical reminder that human expertise, critical thinking, and verification remain essential. If you've wondered whether AI is saving time or creating new risks, this episode offers a timely reality check.
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AI is quickly becoming part of design and construction workflows, but its outputs are only as reliable as the data, prompts, and human oversight behind them.
Always verify AI-generated comments, RFIs, and research before acting on them. A confident answer is not necessarily a correct answer.
AI can identify potential discrepancies between drawings and specifications, but it cannot replace the coordination conversations needed to resolve them.
Unchecked AI can create costly distractions by generating references to non-existent standards, code sections, or requirements that project teams must then investigate and disprove.
The most effective professionals will not be those who avoid AI, but those who know how to use it responsibly while applying experience, judgment, and critical thinking.
AI is a powerful assistant, not an accountable team member. Responsibility for decisions, interpretations, and project outcomes still belongs to people.
AI can accelerate the work, but it cannot replace the expertise needed to distinguish useful information from confident-sounding fiction.