Keynote speaker 1:
Arturo Tedeschi
The AI plot twist
AI has been advancing quietly for years in the progressive segment of the architecture and design industry. Machine learning libraries have been integrated into software like Revit, Rhino-Grasshopper, and standalone applications, offering functionalities such as machine learning-based optimization and efficient layout design. This led to heightened anticipation for the integration of powerful analytical methods and tools based on ML algorithms into traditional 3D environments. However, AI had a surprising "plot twist" or an "unexpected move" with the emergence of text-to-image platforms like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion, based on deep generative models (diffusion models). Such a technology - capable of registering the latent correlation in complex data and somehow closer to the imaginative processes of the human mind - unleashed an unexpected, but powerful wave of creativity, emphasizing the ideation phase of design. We can metaphorically state that while we were anticipating the AI to fuel the left side of our brain, it unexpectedly ignited the right side, the realm of creativity.
After this first revolution a new direction is emerging and is about giving designers a deeper control of tools and relative output. Parametric AI, Sketch to Render, Sketch to 3D and novel layout optimization tools are the next frontiers of the AI Aided Design, poised to have an enormous impact on the profession and education alike. These advancements will enable designers to wield AI technology as a powerful tool, providing them with enhanced control and facilitating the realization of their creative visions.
Keynote speaker 2:
Florian Rochereau
Creativity in design, especially in this new AI era, is a central topic which is driving the future of Architecture and Engineering.
Capabilities of Computational Design Tools have expanded exponentially in the last few years and enable us to compute almost anything. Architects, Designers, Engineers are not constrained anymore about project scale, computer resources or design complexity.
Horizon and potential offered by computational design and AI tools seem to have no border and enable us to explore spaces that were not accessible only few years ago.
However, we still often see designs constrained by tools themselves, not by their capacity, but by the way we are using them.
How to ensure not to get “Lost in Parameter Space” and not lose control of the design? Who is driving the design?
How to keep control of the tools to produce desired results and outcomes?
Those are reflections that are driving our design processes and development of tools on our daily practice.
Florian Rochereau
Keynote speaker 3:
Neil Leach
ALIEN INTELLIGENCE: AI AND CREATIVITY
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere - from the apps on our phone to the algorithms of search engines. Without us noticing, the AI revolution has arrived. But what does it mean for the world of design?
The work examines the question of creativity. Generative AI has proved to be a game changer in many fields, not least architecture. Chatbots, such as ChatGPT, are changing the way that we write, and diffusion models, such as MidJourney, are changing the way that we design. Clearly these tools can augment our human capabilities. But are they actually creative in and of themselves?
This work argues that they are performing a straightforward mechanical task involving vast amounts of data highly effectively, but that this does not necessarily make them creative. It then goes on to question the notion of creativity itself, and to challenge received views on the topic. It argues that if a machine can generate outcomes that can be construed as being ‘creative’, then perhaps what we call ‘creativity’ is more straightforward than we have thought to date. Indeed, it argues that the mystique that surrounds ‘creativity’ might be obscuring the fact that what we call ‘creativity’ is actually a mechanical ‘search and synthesize’ process, much like Generative AI itself.
The work concludes that AI can serve as a useful mirror in which to understand human behaviour, and that AI can potentially help us debunk the myth of human creativity.
Keynote speaker 4:
Charles Liu
The marriage of artificial intelligence (AI) and architecture is a topic that has garnered significant attention in recent years, promising to reshape the way we design, construct, and inhabit our built environments.
In summary, AI is increasingly becoming a valuable tool in architecture, assisting architects and designers with classification, evaluation, reconstruction, and generation tasks. These capabilities empower architects to create more sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing buildings.
One of the most prominent promises of AI in architecture is its ability to optimize design processes. AI algorithms can generate design variations, taking into account various parameters such as site conditions, environmental factors, and user preferences. This rule based optimization can lead to more efficient and sustainable designs.
Another aspect to consider is the role of AI in predicting and mitigating environmental impacts. AI can analyze vast amounts of data to model how a building will perform in different climatic conditions. This capability is invaluable in designing structures that are environmentally responsible.
In conclusion, AI's integration into architecture offers undeniable potential for innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. However, it also presents profound challenges related to aesthetics, ethics, and the role of human architects. A critical reflection on these matters is essential to ensure that the introduction of AI in architecture serves the broader goals of enhancing human well-being and the built environment, rather than reducing architecture to a set of automated processes devoid of creativity, cultural richness, and ethical responsibility. Balancing the promise of AI with these concerns is the key to harnessing its full potential while preserving the essence of architecture as a deeply human endeavor.
