2025 Predictions: The Future of AI, Construction, and Manufacturing

As we kick off a new year, we asked several members of the Research team and Autodesk Research Residency Program to share their thoughts about what to expect in 2025. Key themes that emerged are that we’ll continue to see transformative changes in various fields, particularly in AI, construction, and manufacturing. From enhanced detection mechanisms in AI to more sustainable building practices, our team predicts a future that blends innovation and responsibility. Here’s a glimpse into what some of our team members think.

AI Performance and Transparency

Hooman Shayani, Senior Principal AI Research Scientist, emphasizes the advancements in AI models, particularly in research effort Project Bernini.  “We will be scaling and enhancing our models to achieve higher performance and utility,” said Hooman. “By extending the capabilities of our foundation models, we aim to unlock innovative and impactful user experiences that go beyond zero-shot 3D generation.”

Saeid Asgari Taghanaki, Principal AI Research Scientist, outlines several predictions for the AI industry, including enhanced detection mechanisms, stricter regulatory frameworks, improved data curation practices, increased transparency, and greater public awareness and education.

“AI developers might adopt more transparent practices, including clear documentation of training data sources and the implementation of mechanisms to trace and attribute generated content, fostering greater accountability,” said Saeid. “As discussions around AI ethics gain prominence, there will be a concerted effort to educate the public and stakeholders about the implications of generative parroting, promoting informed use and trust in AI technologies.”

These predictions suggest a future where AI is not only more advanced but also more ethical and transparent.

User Experience and Reliability

Dianne Gault, Senior Manager Experience Design, underscores the importance of designing user interfaces that build trust. “Our team will need to lean even further into understanding how to design interfaces to enable trust with the customer as our collaborator and we’ll need to make sure to designate the right kind of work to AI while being mindful of roles and expertise,” said Dianne.

Jenmy Zhang, Principal Computational Physics Research Scientist, shares her excitement about the responsible use of AI. “There is a surge of interest in AI for engineering and patient care, where the higher stake requires higher-precision analyses,” she said. “The research and conversations will likely continue beyond 2025, but what is exciting for me is how much we will learn towards the appropriate and responsible use of AI.”

Construction and Manufacturing

Arthur Harsuvanakit, Principal Research Scientist, envisions AI playing a more crucial role in the AEC industry. “I expect to see the AEC industry lean more into AI-based workflows that augment the traditional building process. We can expect to see the amount of these incremental gains increase significantly in the coming year.”

Jamie Nicholson, Research & Design Engineer, predicts a surge in AI and automation in manufacturing. “We’re going to see more and more companies using this technology to speed up production,” said Jamie. “2024 was the year we really saw AI take off commercially, and I believe 2025 will be when we, as human beings, learn how to truly make AI work for us.”

Candice Delamarre, Co-Founder & COO of Autodesk Research Residency Program team Kit Switch, anticipates more industrialized construction practices, “specifically more panelized and kit-of-parts approach,” she said. “We also expect more stringent health and safety regulations for indoor materials from manufacturing through end-of-life.”

Permitting and the Environment

Leila Banijamali, CEO of Residency Program team Symbium, highlights some anticipated changes in permitting for construction. “In 2025, permitting will undergo a transformative shift, with instant, accessible solutions becoming the new standard. Symbium is already leading the charge, leveraging deductive AI experiences to make instant, accessible permitting not just possible but essential.” This shift will empower communities and accelerate clean energy adoption, setting a new standard in the regulatory landscape.

Dheekshita Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Residency Program team CivCheck, agrees, predicting that this year we’ll see more AI adoption in the construction industry, particularly around permitting. “We will see faster permitting processes, more thoughtful regulations, and a significant reduction in time spent on mundane administrative tasks,” she said. “Public agencies will free up to become true collaborators—partners with the bandwidth to provide meaningful feedback and guidance on the buildings and spaces that shape our communities.”

Sustainability and Efficiency

Sustainability will remain a key focus across all industries. As Jamie Nicholson notes, “Sustainability will obviously take center stage, with an increased focus on reducing environmental impact and improving energy efficiency in manufacturing processes.”

This year is once again poised to be a year of significant advancements and responsible innovation across AI, construction, and manufacturing. As we move forward, it will be crucial to balance technological advancements with ethical considerations and sustainability goals, ensuring progress benefits both society and the environment.