AI revolutionizes cities: Germany lags behind other nations!

AI revolutionizes cities: Germany lags behind other nations!

The digital revolution is coming to the construction industry: A current study by Arup entitled “Embracing AI: Reshaping Today’s Cities and Built Environment” shows how artificial intelligence (AI) can fundamentally change architecture and construction. According to the results of the study, Germany is lagging behind in international comparison when it comes to the use of AI in construction. Almost 5,000 experts from ten countries were surveyed, including countries such as the USA, Brazil and Nigeria, where the daily use of AI is well above the German 27% - in Nigeria it is even 46%!

Despite this discrepancy, German experts recognize the potential of AI. According to the study, 81% of respondents believe that AI can make projects not only faster but also more cost-effective. Less than 15% comment on problems or dangers that the technology could bring with it. However, there are significant obstacles, including the dominance of large technology companies, poor data quality and ethical concerns, that are slowing the application of AI in construction.

The change through AI

As it turns out, the use of AI in architecture and construction is still in its infancy, but initial progress is already visible. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Petzold from the TUM Georg Nemetschek Institute reports that AI methods can already be used in constructive tasks to overcome challenges such as the management of sustainable data. The architect Kim Lauterbach from ALLPLAN also emphasizes that routine work can now be automated using symbolic AI, which leaves more room for creative processes.

The benefits of AI in architecture are complex. It not only optimizes planning, design and construction processes, but also increases efficiency by processing large amounts of data in real time. This opens up new creative possibilities that are often difficult for human designers to grasp. But what does this mean for the role of the architect? Is automation just around the corner or is there a symbiotic relationship between humans and machines?

Challenges and ethical questions

Implementing AI also comes with challenges. Access to large amounts of data, powerful hardware and appropriate software are necessary to carry out precise analyses. In addition, many architectural firms struggle with cultural barriers that are based on familiar, traditional working methods. Data protection issues, particularly regarding the use of large amounts of data, are also important.

While technological advances in architecture provide the opportunity to design more precise and sustainable buildings, the question arises as to how much room there is for human creativity as machines play an increasingly central role. The imminent introduction of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) could usher in a new era in architectural planning.

Arup's study suggests that AI could provide significant benefits in urban planning and the development of sustainable materials in the future. Over 50% of German respondents expect to use AI in the future, even if even fewer want to work with it on a daily basis. The positive aspects of AI, such as reducing the burden on decision-making processes and encouraging more creative work, could quickly drive change.

Overall, a look at the use of AI in construction shows that there are many opportunities, but also a multitude of questions and challenges that need to be overcome. The future of architecture could be more complex than we can imagine today.

Further information and the full results of the study can be found on the Arup website: Construction links, as well as on the pages of All plan and Built smart hub.