This one-day summit delves into how artificial intelligence is transforming architectural practice, offering real-world insights into its successes, challenges, and tangible benefits. Attendees will gain a clear, evidence-based understanding of AI integration - what’s working, what’s not, and how to effectively implement AI-driven strategies in their own practice.
The day kicks off with Adrian Malleson presenting RIBA’s latest AI report, setting the stage with data-driven findings. Keir Regan-Alexander (Arka Works) follows with a keynote on integrating AI workflows in architecture, sharing hard-won lessons on what delivers real value and the complexities of AI policy development.
Breakout sessions dive deeper into emerging AI technologies: Stephen Hunter (Buckminster AI) explores best practices for leveraging Large Language Models, while Ismail Seleit (Foster + Partners) demonstrates how AI diffusion models can unlock new creative possibilities beyond traditional rendering techniques.
May Winfield (Buro Happold) sharpens the focus on legal considerations, outlining key risks and policy frameworks essential for responsible AI adoption in architecture. A panel discussion brings together experts from across the industry to debate AI’s impact on skills, competencies, and the evolving role of architects in an AI-driven landscape.
A highlight of the day, Tomas Millar’s keynote, ‘Architecture Practice to Architecture Start-Up,’ reveals how AI is opening doors beyond traditional practice - expanding professional scope, fostering innovation, and unlocking new market opportunities.
The event wraps up with an interactive audience session and a high-energy Pecha Kucha segment, ‘Flash Insights: Accelerating AI in the Built Environment,’ featuring rapid-fire expert insights and dynamic discussions to spark new ideas and inspire the future of AI in architecture.
In addition to the in-person summit, this ticket will give you access to 4 hours of on-demand CPD by event directors, Tomas Millar and Keir Regan-Alexander. The on-demand CPD will be available to view for 12 months from the event date, 8 May 2025.
Who should attend?
Architects and allied professionals who are curious about AI use in practice. Whether you’re interested in language models, image diffusion, or the legal foundations required for responsible AI use, this event offers practical insights and evidence-based discussions for those eager to explore AI’s growing role in architecture.
Conference programme
Morning sessions
- 9:30am to 10am: Registration and refreshments
- 10am to 10:15am: Welcome and RIBA AI Report findings, Adrian Malleson (RIBA)
- 10:15am to 10:40am: Keynote: Text and Image – AI Workflows from Practice, Keir Regan-Alexander (Arka Works). Exploring practical experiences in integrating AI workflows and setting effective AI policies in architecture
- 10:40am to 11am: Theory Time: Large Language Models and How to Use Them in Practice, Stephen Hunter (Buckminster AI). Best practices for harnessing LLMs, including unabridged prompting and promising new reasoning models
- 11am to 11:20am: Theory Time: Diffusion Architect, Using Image Models in Practice, Ismail Seleit (Foster + Partners). How AI diffusion models, beyond simple rendering, can unlock unexpected design dialogues in the creative process
- 11:20am to 11:40am: Coffee break and networking
- 11:40am to 12:05pm: Keynote: Evaluating the Legal Risks of AI in Architecture, May Winfield (Buro Happold)
An evidence-based discussion on mitigating risks such as ‘negligent use’ and establishing robust organisational policies for responsible AI - 12:05pm to 12:30pm: Panel Discussion: Testing the Boundaries in Practice - Moderated dialogue with May Winfield, Stephen Hunter, Ismail Seleit, Keir Regan-Alexander and Tomas Millar. Examining current boundaries for AI use across practice, administrative tasks, and the evolving skills needed for the digital age
- 12:30pm to 1pm: Audience Insights: Live Polling via Mentimeter
Gathering real-time data and sentiment on AI adoption from the audience - 1pm to 2pm: Lunch
Afternoon sessions
- 2pm to 2:05pm: Welcome back and introduction to the afternoon programme
- 2:05pm to 2:15pm: RIBA AI Group Report, Philip Allsopp (Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation)
- 2:15pm to 2:45pm: Keynote: Architecture Practice to Architecture Start-Up, Tomas Millar (Millar Howard Workshop). Highlighting how proactive engagement with AI is expanding professional scope towards product-based solutions
and unlocking new market opportunities - 2:45pm to 2:55pm: Keynote from sponsor
- 2:55pm to 3:10pm: Coffee break and networking
- 3:10pm to 3:55pm: Pecha Kucha Session - Flash Insights: Accelerating AI in the Built Environment. AI in Practice experts share their best ideas
Closing
- 3:55pm: Closing remarks, Keir Regan-Alexander
- 4pm to 4:30pm: Networking drinks. Enjoy drinks and light refreshments as the day concludes with open networking
- 4:30pm: Event Close
AI in Practice Summit 2025 : On-demand CPD Programme
AI in Practice Summit 2025 consists of an in-person conference event and access to separate on-demand CPD via the RIBA Academy:
- Enhancing Design with Technology: Using LLMs in AEC Project Settings, by Keir Regan-Alexander
- AI in Architecture, by Tomas Millar
