THIS is where AI is going to change the game for real estate investors

[Scott E.]

While I've been having fun following the AI craze over the past several months, I've have had a hard time seeing where AI might disrupt the real estate industry... but it just clicked.

Here's my prediction - Over the next ~5-10 years, AI will be putting most architects, designers, and engineers out of business.

These AI tools are already getting to the point where you can input a certain set of parameters, and they will spit out 3D models of exactly what you're looking for.

Let's say for example you told an AI model the following:

 -You just bought an 8,000 square foot residential lot

 -You would like to build a 2,800 square foot single level home on the lot

 -The home should have 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a 2 car garage

 -Ceiling heights should be a minimum of 10'

 -The home should take inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and have contemporary finishes

 -Building should comply with XXXXX city code requirements for lot coverage, building height, setbacks, etc

In a matter of seconds, this AI model is going to be able to spit out dozen of options for you to consider that precisely meet the criteria that you have input. This is work that would have taken an architect, engineers, and a designer weeks or even months to complete.

As a developer I'm having bittersweet feelings about all of this. I love the creative process and I have so much respect for architects and designers. But I'm also looking forward to the cost savings. I'm spending between $35,000 - $50,000 per project just on architectural, engineering, and design fees alone. Not to mention as I said above, most of these creatives are crazy busy and take months to come up with a useable plan.

Zaha Hadid Architects have already started to adopt AI into their business. They recently used AI to generate 100,000 designs for a building interior in 27 hours. Excessive example, but you get the point. link.

I know there is always going to need to be some human involvement when coming up with usable buildings. But I'm stoked to see how AI changes the game in both residential and commercial real estate development. What do you guys think? Am I missing something?

[Nik Moushon]

@Scott E.

I don't say this in a mean way but....your comments show you don't understand what architects and engineers truly do. You think we only draw pretty pictures and put construction drawings together. I can tell you that design is only a small fraction of the time spent on a project. Construction drawings are a much larger percentage of time but not the key point. I spend 60-70% of my time, on pretty much any project, doing things that aren't designing or drafting. There are so many components to a building that AI can't ouch....not in 10 years anyways. Maybe 50 years....maybe. We are way way too far away from jurisdictions allow AI drawn building sets to be approved without a licensed professional human behind them. 

It is 100% true that AI will be disruptive to many fields...including architecture...but architecture is not a field that is getting replaced by AI. We will definitely be adapting and using AI in our profession going forward but it will only make us more efficient and effective...not obsolete. The good ones will be able to raise our prices, not lower them, since we will be able to get you a full set of drawings in a fraction of the time. Time is money. For all parties involved.