Modern Thinking for Building an Advanced Engineering World

At AI Building Permit, we’re driven by the belief that technology, data, and collaboration will shape the future of engineering. By embracing tools like BIM, AI, IoT, and GIS, we’re moving beyond traditional practices toward a smarter, more connected, and sustainable way of designing, building, and maintaining our built environment.

Using AI and GIS in Everyday Life

Many people already use Waze and GIS software to find the quickest routes daily. These applications use AI and IoT data to provide real-time updates, allowing users to save time, avoid delays, and make better decisions.

This same approach can be applied to engineering projects. By extracting data from GIS, the MAPE program achieves key objectives:

• Find the best route or process.

• Update paths in real time when conditions change.

• Offer top three alternatives to help stakeholders choose the best option.

• Provide location and public transportation information to reduce wasted time.

• Deliver visual and audio guidance simultaneously.

If this procedure is applied to structural or construction projects, the potential for innovation in engineering is massive.

Challenges in Traditional Construction Practices

Traditional construction methods often face:

• Fragmented Communication: Separate teams working in silos, leading to delays and missed issues.

• Cost Overruns: Poor planning leads to unexpected problems and increased expenses.

• Time Delays: Inefficient scheduling and resource allocation extend timelines.

• Limited Data Utilization: Lack of comprehensive data sharing prevents predictive analysis and optimal decision-making.

For example, even with BIM tools like Revit and Navisworks, many consulting firms focus only on clash detection and drawings, missing deeper design issues. As seen in one of our high-rise projects in downtown Toronto, a misplaced beam went unnoticed until construction began — highlighting the need for a smarter, integrated process.

Challenges in Traditional Design Phases

• Fragmented Design Teams: Difficult to identify issues after work is complete.

• No Environment for True Simulation: Construction methods, geotechnical design, structural design, and maintenance approaches must interact, but often don’t.

• Suboptimal Designs: Without comprehensive data, teams struggle to optimize safety factors, column ratios, or seismic criteria.

• Limited Mentorship and Knowledge Transfer: Juniors often lack exposure to modern technology, risking the future of firms.

These challenges show why Smart Systems are needed — to break the routine process and allow juniors and seniors alike to collaborate and improve outcomes.

Challenges in Traditional Operation Phases

Research shows operations represent roughly 65% of a project’s lifecycle costs. Without data from design and construction phases, operations are harder to optimize. Maintenance policies play a crucial role, yet are often disconnected from earlier project stages.

Drawbacks of the Current BIM Model

Today’s BIM practices are often limited to 3D visualization, clash detection, and final drawings. BIM managers may lack hands-on design or construction experience, which limits the value BIM can bring to predictive modeling, asset management, or lifecycle analysis. While cloud storage and material takeoffs are useful, the true power of BIM lies in connecting all project phases.

The Future of the Engineering World

Our team at AI Building Permit is working to pioneer Industry 4.0 and 5.0 concepts in construction and engineering.

Supporting technologies include IoT platforms, cloud computing, smart sensors, AR/VR, big data analytics, and 3D printing.

Our Vision

We aim to develop an intelligent system for design, construction, and maintenance. With this system, projects can:

• Enhance earned value and quality.

• Minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions.

• Achieve Industry 5.0 goals, where convenient life and sustainability guide priorities.

At AI Building Permit, we know the journey is long, but our mission is clear: to transform engineering with smart systems, integrated data, and advanced thinking for a better future.

The future of engineering is connected, data-driven, and sustainable. By blending BIM, AI, IoT, and Industry 5.0 principles, we can overcome the challenges of traditional practices and build an advanced engineering world — one project at a time.