Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

Proactive by Design: How AI Is Reshaping AEC Workflows

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Jan 21, 2026

David Spergel, AEC technology leader at Graitec, shares insights into how AI is revolutionizing workflows in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors. He discusses the shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making, highlighting AI's role in surfacing project intent and improving communication. David explains how intelligent layers over traditional artifacts like PDFs enhance collaboration and reduce surprises. He emphasizes AI as a tool for empowering teams rather than replacing human expertise, paving the way for more predictable project outcomes.

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INSIGHT

AI Tackles Fragmented Project Data

AI helps AEC teams design faster, reduce surprises, and consolidate fragmented project data across models, PDFs, and field apps.
David Spergel sees AI poised to change the game by making project data something teams can actually reason over.

INSIGHT

AI As A Supercharged Junior Designer

AI acts like a supercharged junior designer by automating repetitive design tasks and offering multiple options under constraints.
Spergel frames AI as a tool that handles BIM grunt work so humans focus on trade-offs and client decisions.

ADVICE

Use Platform Copilots To Automate Admin

Use AI copilots inside project platforms to centralize models, PDFs, submittals and communications for automated outputs like RFIs and meeting minutes.
Leverage platform AI to streamline unstructured text into actionable project artifacts rather than replacing human judgment.

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Being proactive in AEC has always been the goal but until now, it’s been hard to achieve at scale. In this episode of Bridging the Gap, host Todd Weyandt is joined by David Spergel of Graitec to explore how AI is reshaping workflows to help project teams anticipate risk, surface intent earlier, and make better decisions across the project lifecycle.

The conversation dives into how shared project artifacts, like drawings and PDFs, are evolving into intelligent layers that connect design teams, project managers, and the field. Rather than reacting to issues after they appear, AI-powered workflows help teams reduce ambiguity, improve communication, and move work forward with greater clarity and confidence.

This episode offers a hopeful, practical look at how AI supports people, not by replacing expertise, but by enabling more proactive, aligned, and predictable project delivery.

You’ll Learn:

How AI workflows are helping project teams shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making
Why shared project artifacts like drawings and PDFs are evolving into intelligent layers that connect design, construction, and the field
How surfacing intent and context earlier reduces coordination gaps, RFIs, and late-stage surprises
Ways AI improves communication and collaboration without replacing human expertise or forcing new workflows
What proactive, AI-enabled project delivery looks like and why it leads to more predictable outcomes

MEET OUR GUEST

David Spergel is an AEC technology leader with deep experience helping design and construction teams improve how they collaborate, communicate, and execute projects using digital tools. His background spans software enablement, workflow optimization, and customer-facing strategy, with a strong focus on how platforms like Bluebeam support real-world project delivery. David brings a practical, people-first perspective to emerging technologies, translating AI and data-driven workflows into clear, adoptable processes that help teams reduce risk, break down silos, and make better decisions across the project lifecycle.

TODD TAKES

AI isn’t a threat. It’s a force multiplier for people.
In AEC, AI isn’t replacing expertise. It’s removing the tedious, time-consuming work that pulls teams away from judgment, creativity, and problem-solving. When the noise is reduced, people can focus on decisions that actually move projects forward.

The industry’s real opportunity is turning shared artifacts into shared understanding.
Drawings, markups, and documents already hold enormous intent and context. When that information becomes easier to interpret and act on, teams spend less time searching for answers and more time aligning across design, construction, and the field.

Better data leads to better conversations and better outcomes.
When information is surfaced proactively instead of reactively, collaboration improves. Fewer misunderstandings, fewer late surprises, and clearer accountability create momentum toward predictability, trust, and stronger project delivery.

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