Why Most AI Pilots Fail (And What Architects Can Do Differently)

Hey there!

I hope you’re enjoying these last few summer days (for my U.S. readers at least!).

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on AI not just as a tool, but as a business strategy. There’s a big shift happening, and the more I read, the more I realize how much confusion there is around it. At first, I was AI curious, then AI anxious, and now I find myself somewhere in the middle of AI confusion. Sound familiar?

Two recent articles really hit home for me. One outlined how 95% of AI pilots are failing to deliver real ROI (CNN article), and another showed how big tech is starting to pull back and restructure their AI bets (Apple News Article). Together, they paint a picture of an industry racing ahead, sometimes without clear results.

Right now, it seems like every company is rushing to build internal AI teams, hire consultants, or roll out sweeping strategies. But what if we all took a step back? Instead of racing, maybe the smarter move is to pause, look at our organizations, and think about how AI can fit into our existing workflows.

Setting aside time for experimentation, testing one tool at a time, can often be more effective than investing heavily in outside consultants, which can be costly and slow. For most firms, small internal steps toward integration will create real progress.

I’m curious, what is your firm doing with AI right now? Are you building internal capabilities or working with outside consultants?

On that note, I recently sat down with Michael Jansen, founder of TwinMaster, to talk about digital twins—something he’s been pioneering since the early 2000s, long before the current hype.

With digital twins quickly becoming one of the hottest topics in AEC, his perspective as an early innovator is worth hearing. 👇 Scroll down for more details and a link to the full podcast episode.

I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Whether you have an AI use case to share, a tool you think I should review, or you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, just send it my way. Let’s keep the conversation going.

PS. I will be speaking at AEC Thrive Chicago on October 2 on the topic From Hesitation to Innovation: How AI is Transforming AEC Workflows Right Now. Check it out—you can still register here.

🎧 New Episode: The Future of Architectural Design: AI and Digital Twins

In this episode of AI for Architects, host Aya Shlachter interviews Michael Jansen, Chief Business Officer of TwinMaster, an AI platform leveraging digital twin technology to transform architectural design and project delivery.

The conversation explores the power of digital twins, the role of AI in speeding up processes, and the interoperability challenges architects face. Michael shares how TwinMaster simplifies these challenges, unlocks new revenue opportunities, and prioritizes data privacy while offering practical advice for architects embracing AI.

Takeaways:

• Digital Twins in Action: Digital twins connect real-world assets with surrounding data, giving architects new ways to visualize, analyze, and manage projects.

• Speed & Efficiency with AI: AI helps accelerate design iterations and streamlines workflows, cutting down time from concept to delivery.

• Interoperability Challenges: A major hurdle for architects is making today’s tools work together—TwinMaster aims to simplify this and reduce friction.

• Revenue Opportunities: Beyond design, digital twins can unlock new business models and revenue streams for forward-thinking firms.

• Privacy & User-First Design: TwinMaster prioritizes data privacy and keeps its platform intuitive, making adoption easier for architects and entrepreneurs alike.

👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts
👉 Listen on Spotify
👉 Watch video version on YouTube

🏗️ Architecting With AI
See in real-time how AI is used in designing the built environment.

Aussie Plan to Use AI to Fill Tradie Shortages. Australia is piloting AI-powered modular housing systems to speed up construction, delivering homes in 30–60 days at a fraction of the cost—without replacing skilled labor.

How AI Helps AEC Firms Win More Work with Less Effort. Unanet’s July 2025 report shows nearly 75% of AEC firms are adopting AI for business development, using tools to qualify leads and streamline proposals.

AI-Powered Robotics Support Rebuilding Homes in Los Angeles Fire Zones. ABB Robotics and Cosmic Buildings deployed mobile robotic micro-factories in Pacific Palisades to rebuild fire-damaged homes faster, more affordably, and with less material waste.

🗓️ AI in Motion: Events You Can't Miss Right Now

AI Design Frontier Awards (ADFA) 2025. An open call competition inviting architects, students, and design enthusiasts to explore AI-driven design solutions. Hosted by AAL INNOVATION, the event focuses on creating sustainable, community-focused spaces, with registration and submissions due by September 12, 2025.

PSMJ’s AEC Thrive 2025. Taking place October 1–3, 2025, at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, this premier growth and profitability conference brings together AEC leaders for three days of strategy, networking, and fresh ideas on business performance. Attendees will gain insights on market trends, technology adoption, and new ways to drive firm-wide growth and success.

🏢 Beyond Design
Get your fill of AI news beyond the field of architecture.

Neurosymbolic AI could be leaner and smarter. Neurosymbolic AI—which combines neural networks with symbolic reasoning—offers a more energy-efficient and trustworthy alternative to today's massive language models, making AI more accessible and less resource‑hungry.

EU releases General-Purpose AI Code of Practice. In July 2025, the European Commission introduced a voluntary Code of Practice to ensure transparency, safety, and data accountability for general-purpose AI models, with enforcement beginning in August 2026.

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