Amplification, not automation: What AI really means for architects

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend—it is already woven into the fabric of our lives. From Netflix recommendations and Spotify playlists to traffic management, smart homes, banking, and health monitoring, AI is running in the background of daily life. The question for us is not whether AI will impact architecture, it is how we will choose to engage with it.

AIA’s 2025 research study, Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Architecture, shows that we are at the beginning of that curve: 
 

• 8% of firm leaders report integrating AI into their practice
• 20% are in the process of implementation
   
• 35% are considering adoption

That tells me curiosity is alive in this profession, and that’s exactly what we need to build on. 

AI has the potential to act as a strategic thought partner for architects and firms. Unlike the shifts we have navigated in the past, from hand drafting to CAD to BIM, AI is not simply a new way of documenting or automating design. This is a transformation reshaping every industry, not just ours. For architecture, that means rethinking how we practice, why we work the way we do, and how we define value for the communities we serve. It challenges us to redesign our businesses with the same creativity and systems thinking we bring to our buildings.
 

The firms that will thrive tomorrow are already rethinking how they work today and building the next generation of practice. This transformation is about using AI to analyze how your business runs. We should embrace AI as a partner that enables better decisions and faster workflows, and frees up time for the work that really matters. AI offers something we have always struggled to articulate in this profession: a chance to reframe our value proposition. It gives us the opportunity to show clients not just the product of our work, but the intelligence, insight, and creative problem-solving that underpin it.
 

At AIA25, keynote speaker Allie K. Miller reminded us that AI is one of the best research and brainstorming tools available to businesses today. She also made it clear that AI does not simply “work out of the box.” It requires clarity, structure, and training. It will not magically repair broken workflows or reorganize chaotic file systems. It will not solve the inefficiencies we have tolerated for years unless we commit to reshaping the systems behind them.
 

This is where the real opportunity lies. Once we do the hard work of designing more intelligent systems, clarifying intent, and setting clear goals, AI can step in as a true collaborator. Think of it the way you would when onboarding a new employee or project partner. You would not expect them to instantly understand your practice or deliver results without guidance. You would invest time in training, context, and integration. 
 

AI requires the same thoughtful approach. When we treat AI this way, it stops being just another piece of software and becomes that strategic thought partner. It can help us anticipate challenges, generate insights, and amplify the intelligence of our teams. It is less about automation and more about amplification. Done well, AI does not replace people, it empowers them to do their best work.
 

That is why AIA launched the AI Task Force earlier this year. We want to ensure architects are leading change. The Task Force is already moving forward with a focus on providing the following opportunities for our members:

• 
  Education and knowledge sharing through webinars and partnerships
   
• The chance to foster relationships with AI creators and technology providers
   
• Quarterly tool reviews and discussion along with an AI Summit 
   
• Governance frameworks to guide responsible implementation and advocate for smart policy

We are also working on a short-form AI position statement to set a clear direction for the profession. If architects want to thrive in an AI-driven world, we need to expand our vocabulary and the professional development of individuals within our firms. This is not just about upskilling people; it is about reskilling.  AI is not about efficiency alone; it is about elevating how we work. It can open new career paths, new ways of practicing, and new opportunities for architects to lead.
 

AI is moving fast. We cannot slow the pace of change, but we can choose how we show up. We can sit back and wait for AI to reshape our profession, allowing outsiders to leverage AI into opportunities within our industry. Or we can step forward, define how it should serve the built environment, and lead the next chapter of practice. 
 

Start experimenting. Start learning. Start reskilling.
 

Curiosity got us into this profession. Let it guide us now.  Our ability to serve communities tomorrow starts with the choices we make today.

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, is AIA's 2025 president.