In the interview, Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost explains how AI is streamlining design and construction by simplifying 3D modeling, improving collaboration, and automating routine tasks, ultimately enabling faster and more efficient skyscraper building. He emphasizes that while AI accelerates workflows and generates initial concepts, human expertise remains essential for creative and practical decision-making in real-world projects.
In this interview, Katherine Schwab from Forbes speaks with Andrew Anagnost, CEO of Autodesk, about how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the design and construction industries. Autodesk, known for its AutoCAD software, now offers a range of tools that help professionals model, simulate, and understand how their designs will perform in the real world. Anagnost explains that Autodesk’s AI strategy focuses on reducing the complexity of creating 3D models and simulations, making it easier and faster for people to design and build everything from bridges to skyscrapers. AI is being used to streamline workflows, improve data sharing, and help organizations do more with the resources they have.
A key example Anagnost provides is the use of AI in construction, an industry notorious for its fragmented communication and data management. Autodesk’s AI tools help consolidate project information, clarify responsibilities, and resolve conflicting data, which reduces rework and accelerates project timelines. For instance, AI can help identify what needs to be fixed and who needs to take action, ensuring that everyone involved in a project has access to accurate, up-to-date information. This leads to more efficient collaboration and fewer delays.
AI is also changing the way designers start projects by addressing the “blank slate” problem. Traditionally, creating a 3D model from scratch is complex and time-consuming. With AI, designers can input prompts, sketches, or photos, and the software generates preliminary models or layouts. These can then be refined and customized, saving hours or even days of work. AI can also automate early analyses, such as assessing wind loads or lighting for a building, giving designers more time to focus on creative and complex aspects of their projects.
When asked about the potential for AI to fully design buildings or products, Anagnost emphasizes that Autodesk’s philosophy is to keep humans in the loop. While AI can quickly generate initial concepts and layouts, it lacks the creativity, context, and spatial reasoning required for complete, practical designs. Human expertise is essential for ensuring that buildings are not only innovative but also maintainable and constructible. Anagnost notes that current AI models, especially large language models like ChatGPT, are limited in their ability to reason about physical space and time, which are critical for real-world design and construction.
Looking ahead, Anagnost believes that the future of AI in design and construction will require new types of models and algorithms capable of true spatial reasoning. He predicts that as AI continues to evolve, there will be a greater need for interdisciplinary skills, systems thinking, and an understanding of human factors. While the current AI boom may have elements of a tech bubble, he is optimistic that the underlying infrastructure and innovations will ultimately be used to solve real-world problems. For young people entering the field, he advises focusing on critical thinking, systems-level understanding, and the ability to work across disciplines, as these skills will remain valuable even as AI transforms the industry.