First, there was Generative Design... and now with the popularization of GenAI, designers are able to use machine learning techniques to literally change the way every creative person is able to design and make the world around us. By pursuing research in key areas of AI and Machine Learning, Human Computer Interaction, Robotics, and Simulation, our team combines fundamental research with industry - domain experts in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing and M&E.
In my role as Senior Director of Industry Futures, I led the team in reducing risk and accelerating innovation for Autodesk's products and customers. As the lead, I needed look outside the company to discover future industry problems, explore possible solutions and apply what we learn across industries. We learned to demonstrate and refine our work via prototypes and cross-product workflows directly with customers in order to accelerate the design, engineering, construction, manufacturing and entertainment industries.
In 2013, Our team began demonstrating key advances in science and technology through strategic, industry engagements in Manufacturing. This led to future demonstrations in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Media & Entertainment. Working for the CTO, myself, Erin Bradner, Michael Bergin and an incredible team of researchers led by Francesco Iorio proposed "Project Dreamcatcher", a groundbreaking proposal using applied research to increase industry understanding and adoption. In addition to validating industry problems, we were focusded on the creation of a physical artifact to demonstrate an engineering grade solution in order to demonstrate real impact on the manufacturing industry.
Over the course of the next ten years, we developed key relationships with the worlds leading organizations in response to the worlds most important and challenging problems, including National Labs such as Lawrence Livermore and Oak Ridge Labs, leading Universities including UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, MIT and UCL and Industry Customers including Nike, Meta, Gensler, Nvidia, Philippe Starck, NASA-JPL, Mercedes F1 and many more.
During our explorations, we quickly became fixated on improving aspects of design and construction that could lower carbon emissions, reduce the need for fossil fuels and improve the future of the planet. This included low and carbon negative approaches to manufacturing and the built environment, but also new material exploration in organic, composites and meta-materials to demonstrate better use and reuse strategies. Finally, with Project Phoenix, we employed generative strategies to minimize waste and energy use in both manufacturing and construction.
