Autodesk University (AU) 2024: The Design & Make Conference has officially kicked off in the beautiful and vibrant city of San Diego. From the moment the doors opened, Day 1 was packed with inspiring sessions, fresh experiences, vibrant meetups, and an inspiring keynote address from Autodesk CEO, Andrew Anagnost.
Andrew addressed the hype surrounding AI and candidly acknowledged the occasional frustrations that arise when the technology doesn’t meet expectations. However, he emphasized that AI, like all cutting-edge technology, will significantly enhance your work, and Autodesk wants to help you turn that hype into hope.
Couldn’t attend the General Session in person? Watch it on demand here.
Also, be sure to check out the Digital Builder Podcast for the Day 1 Recap episode, which features some great highlights led by host Eric Thomas.
You can also view Day 1 highlights provided by attendee Ariel Castillo, Innovation Director at Miller-Davis Company.
Andrew kicked off the General Session by discussing the hype around emerging technologies like AI, acknowledging that sometimes the excitement surpasses the technology's initial usefulness. It’s easy to get frustrated when it doesn’t produce the result we are looking for. He assured the audience that Autodesk aims to transform this hype into hope and productivity, with significant investments in AI to automate processes and enhance data analysis.
"With the power of AI in your hands, you will be able to automate processes, analyze data more efficiently, and do things that were otherwise impossible or incredibly complex." - Andrew Anagnost, CEO, Autodesk
One standout was the introduction of the Autodesk AI Assistant, designed to simplify everyday tasks like document retrieval. Andrew emphasized how AI will revolutionize work by tackling small yet significant challenges. For construction, in particular, this means finding documents faster than simply manually searching.
Read more: Autodesk doubles down on the future of BIM with new data connections and AI capabilities
Andrew then shared how Autodesk is tackling small yet significant issues that have long hindered artists and professionals across industries. By addressing these pain points with AI-powered solutions, Autodesk aims to unlock new levels of creativity and efficiency.
Raji Arasu, Chief Technology Officer at Autodesk, also took the stage to reinforce Autodesk’s commitment to transparency in AI usage and data handling, recognizing the importance of maintaining user trust in this rapidly evolving technological landscape. She explained how user data helps improve AI models and reassured that users can opt out whenever they are ready.
"Autodesk wants to help you set the pace for the future." - Raji Arasu, Chief Technology Officer at Autodesk
Want to hear more from the General Session Day 1? Watch it on demand here.
Autodesk's President and CEO Andrew Anagnost discusses the #LA28 Olympics with Casey Wasserman LA28 Chairperson and President. pic.twitter.com/tqFuxEydz4
— Autodesk Construction Cloud (@ADSK_Construct) October 15, 2024
The General session was just the beginning of many other engaging sessions that took place today. Below, we have curated a few thought-provoking sessions that you may have missed during day 1.
Led by Michelle Weksler, Senior Principal Business Consultant, at Autodesk and Nadia Simanjuntak, Implementation Coordinator Digitalization, Dura Vermeer, this session focused on the story of Dura Vermeer’s adoption of Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Michelle and Nadia began the session by sharing a very valuable quote with the attendees: “You can have the hottest, most innovative technology, but if you don’t have people interacting with it in the way it’s intended, our investment is devalued.”
Nadia introduced Dura Vermeer as a Dutch family business founded in 1855. Today, they have over 3,400 employees and focus their business on construction, infrastructure, and MEP. She also shared the firm’s ambitious goal: adopt ACC for all new projects by April 2024.
Despite the numerous challenges Dura Vermeer encountered—such as diverse work methods, tight schedules, and a significant culture shift—progress did not happen overnight. It took over a year for the team to fully synchronize and harness the opportunities that adopting ACC provided.
Michelle then posed the question, ‘Why is Change Management so hard?’ She explained that while we as humans are obsessed with change, we also have a deep-seated fear of ambiguity and the unknown.
“We would prefer to stay in chaos, then explore the unknown because it’s too ambiguous and scary,” Michelle deducted.
Michelle then explained that changing management is a process. Even Olympic champions have nutritionists, coaches, and teams of people to help them win gold. As construction professionals, we also need a team to reach our goals.
Michelle explained that change is grief; professionals are attached to their processes, and losing those processes can feel like a loss.
Nadia emphasized that Dura Vermeer successfully implemented change through engaging kickoff meetings, proactive stakeholder engagement, and diverse communication strategies. Partnering effectively with Autodesk, they enhanced the user experience. Although not everyone was initially thrilled about the changes, sharing feedback contributed to continuous improvement. The implementation process wasn't always smooth, but it fostered growth and future enhancements.
While there were valuable lessons learned, such as the importance of starting change management earlier and improving clarity on expectations, the overall outcome was a resounding success. This case study serves as a shining example of how the right combination of innovative technology and thoughtful change management can transform the construction industry, paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future.
In this session, Jeremiah Owens, Senior Technology & Innovation Consultant, and Christopher O'Neal, Technology & Innovation Consultant, both from Burns & McDonnell, focused on the significance of data in Design & Construction. They explored the impact of data sharing and addressed the current challenges associated with it.
Jeremiah began by gauging the attendees' confidence in their ability to effectively share data throughout a project's lifecycle, and a good number of hands were raised. He then asked whether they recognized the need for improvement in their work, prompting even more hands to go up. Jeremiah reassured the group that they were not alone and that many others are also on the path to enhancement.
Jeremiah and Christopher also shared a quote from Mark Twain, “Data is like garbage, you better know what you’re going to do with it before you collect it.”
Jeremiah continued by defining data sharing as the accurate exchange of data between stakeholders, emphasizing that "sharing is caring" when it comes to data.
“Who remembers hearing from their parents growing up, or maybe you say it to your own kids, that sharing is caring?” he asked.
Jeremiah explained that sharing data demonstrates consideration for the success of others. The manner and context in which we share data can significantly impact efficiency, collaboration, risk management, and innovation. By sharing data openly and efficiently, we build trust and foster a collaborative environment. Sharing data allows others to participate, learn, and make informed decisions, ultimately driving group success.
Jeremiah and Christopher highlighted the crucial role of timing when it comes to data sharing. If data is shared too early or too late, it can lead to unintended consequences. This is why determining the optimal timing and methods for data sharing is crucial for project success.
“Make sure that the person receiving the data understands the data and you’re not just throwing it ‘over the fence’,” Jeremiah stated.
The presenters continued to explain some of the current challenges in data sharing. One hurdle is that many professionals still work locally and rely on email as their primary means of communication, leading to fragmented information and issues with version control. They also noted that cloud-based tools have the potential to streamline data sharing, but their effectiveness is limited without full participation.
“Make sure everyone on your team knows how to use the tools and has the right training,” Jeremiah added.
Overall, Jeremiah and Christopher emphasized that implementing best practices, sharing knowledge, and taking ownership of management are not just recommendations but vital in ensuring positive change in one's everyday work.
“You need not be afraid of change but use it in a way that helps support you,” said Christopher.
This session was led by Sara Hendler, CDE, BIM, IT, Process Integration, JE Dunn Construction, Mark Stocks, Director of Enterprise Architecture, JE Dunn Construction Company, and BJ VanOrman, Applications Director, JE Dunn Construction. They showcased the strategic and rapid implementation of Autodesk Build software across the entire enterprise, achieving this feat in just four months.
JE Dunn, a top-ranking ENR company, was founded in 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. As a company that has faced many changes in the last century, Sara provided some initial insight into why JE Dunn decided to make the switch to Autodesk Build in the first place. An employee engagement survey revealed consistent pain points with the existing project management software, fragmented processes between offices, and overall disorganization. Their leadership team listened and devised a plan to address these issues.
Sara shared their process for identifying the best software for JE Dunn’s needs. They gathered twenty-seven individuals from across the company to help identify which software would be best for them based on what they determined were their most important needs to address.
“We didn’t choose the software itself but chose based off factors that were important to us,” Sara stated.
Ultimately, the team decided on Autodesk Build because it was a one-stop shop that addressed their needs.
Mark went on to share that initially, they determined that rollout of the software of the software should take one year. However, leadership wanted to fast-track the rollout for timing of specific clients and projects, and they supported the implementation team fully. This meant that instead of one year to roll out the software, they were encouraged to roll out the software in four months' time.
Sara then shared the steps that JE Dunn took to ensure successful implementation, starting with a strategic team organization with all of the core teams.
“We wanted to make sure we wove in key players in the core groups to ensure that people were testing, making key decisions, and on time,” Sara said.
Sara reflected on several lessons learned throughout their journey. One key insight was that, in enterprise security, there are essentially two levels: admin and user. She emphasized the importance of onsite training in their adoption process. Additionally, Sara advised against piecemealing your ACC template, highlighting the value of a comprehensive and cohesive approach.
“If you’re considering [Autodesk] Build, try to implement the whole system, or at least ask yourself if you will use the other features in the future,” Sara pointed out.
Sara wrapped up the session with some important takeaways. She shared the importance of mapping out thoughts and business processes, how vital it is to have a dedicated person or team to understand the ecosystem, and, most importantly, to test out the platform as much as possible.
Although Day 1 of AU is over, there is still much more to look forward to in the following days. Make sure to check our social channels regularly to stay up to date with all things AU. You can also check out sessions on demand to follow along virtually.
Stay tuned for our Day 2 recap where we will be featuring the Construction Keynote.
