Upcoming Webcast: The Strategic Role of AI in Shaping the Future of Design and Delivery
Upcoming Webcast on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Register for FREE
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the engineering and design services industry—reshaping how firms plan, design, deliver and maintain infrastructure. While awareness and optimism are high, adoption remains uneven, and firms continue to wrestle with how to balance innovation with risk, efficiency with ethics and technology with talent.
This session will explore findings from the ACEC Research Institute’s national study, “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Engineering Industry,” which examined how AI is currently being used across U.S. engineering firms and what lies ahead. Joseph Bates, lead author of the study, will moderate this session and provide insights from the research.
Building on these insights, Michael Giacco will share practical examples of how his firm is applying AI tools to improve design efficiency, automate compliance and enhance client value. Together, the session will connect research with practice—offering firm leaders a clear picture of where the industry stands today, where it’s heading and how to position their organizations for success in an AI-enabled future.
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 am PT/12:00 pm CT/1:00 pm ET
Speakers:
Michael Giacco, Vice President - AI Engineers
Michael Giacco serves as vice president at AI Engineers, where he leads initiatives that integrate advanced technologies and data-driven solutions into infrastructure and building projects. With more than 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, Giacco combines deep technical expertise with a passion for innovation—helping clients leverage digital tools, automation and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and resilience. He plays a key role in guiding AI Engineers’ strategic vision around emerging technologies and their real-world application in the built environment.
Joe Bates, Senior Research Consultant - ACEC Research Institute
Joe Bates founded The Institute for Association and Nonprofit Research (www.IfAssociationResearch.com) in 2016 to provide research and consulting services exclusively to associations and nonprofit organizations. In addition, he serves as a senior research consultant to the ACEC Research Institute. Bates has nearly 30 years of experience in the research profession, including more than 25 years in the association sector, and is an expert in qualitative and quantitative research design, implementation, analysis and consulting. During his career, he led the research efforts at several associations, including the Consumer Technology Association, the Global Business Travel Association, and the American College for Obstetricians and Gynecologists.