AI has become one of the loudest conversations in A&E. But too often, the discussion swings between fear and hype: fears of being replaced, or excitement about the next shiny tool.
In a recent episode of the Blueprint Collective, Jeames Hanley, Chief Technology Officer at FK and author of Remaining Human in the Age of AI, unpacks what AI and technology really mean for modern practice. With firms becoming more digitised, leaders have a lot to rethink as new challenges and risks arise.
Here, we explore the most common misconceptions Jeames sees around AI and technology in the A&E industry right now, plus key areas firms should focus on moving forward.
4 Common AI & Tech Misconceptions in the A&E Industry
1. Being Replaced By AI
A common misconception for architects is that AI is going to take their jobs. But with new technology constantly on the horizon, AI shouldn’t be thought of as a threat. Instead, it should be seen more like a tool comparable to Revit or SketchUp, that can be incorporated into practice.
Jeames still speaks to architects today who are convinced that AI couldn’t possibly think like they do. But as technology continues to evolve, the A&E industry is rapidly heading towards an environment where AI will be able to think like an architect. But this doesn’t mean your job isn’t safe, it means practices must evolve.
“I still speak to architects who say, ‘nothing can do it better than I can do it’. And whilst that might be the case today, I think we’re rapidly moving towards an environment where that will no longer be the case.” —Jeames Hanley
2. New=Better
New technology can be exciting to explore. However, there can often be a lot of crossover across different software, with teams using only a fraction of each tool’s features. This overlap drives up licensing costs, creates confusion for teams, and inflates technology budgets without delivering real value.
Jeames’ advice? Double down on what’s working, instead of buying every new tool on the market and getting distracted by shiny new technology.
This approach creates space to invest more deliberately in innovation, such as AI, automation, or custom solutions, so practices stay ahead of the curve instead of always playing catch up.
“We focus so much on the output and sometimes we get lost. People get excited by shiny new technology and getting the perfect render. It can be a slippery slope.” —Jeames Hanley.
3. Change Fatigue is an Excuse for Resistance
Firms can no longer remain competitive without embracing change. For A&E practices, staying comfortable with the status quo is no longer a viable option.
New technology isn’t slowing down and will continue transforming and evolving. While change fatigue is often blamed for resistance, the real issue is usually readiness.
“I don’t believe in change fatigue. I think that sometimes we’re not match fit, and we’re not ready to change. I think it’s an excuse for people to stay in their comfort zone. But change is ultimately the only thing you can do to keep up with how our industry is moving.” —Jeames Hanley.
4. The Design Process Can’t Be Automated
Design no longer needs to be slow, manual, and taxing, yet a common misconception is that architectural design is best done with butter paper and a pencil. Technology and automation can support the design process better than ever before, helping to reduce stress and increase production speed.
“Some architects have a hard time thinking about technology and grasping how it can help them. Design isn’t something you need to lose sleep over to get the best possible outcome. Automation and AI can help.” —Jeames Hanley.
The challenge isn’t protecting the creative process from technology, it’s recognising how technology can amplify it.
Using Technology to Your Advantage
When people talk about AI and technology in A&E, they usually jump straight to things like renders and visualisation. But the real wins often come from things like contract review, CRM, and the systems that keep a business running day to day. Technology can simplify all of that dramatically, even without AI.
Jeames also points out that technology plays a big role in attracting talent. Younger graduates are digital natives who want to work efficiently and use the best tools available. Firms that invest in modern technology don’t just run better; they become places people actually want to work at.
How Can Firms Become Match Fit for Technological Change?
As technology becomes part of everyday work, the importance of digital literacy is huge. Staff need practical guidance on using tools safely, especially around cybersecurity, and a clear strategy around technology and AI usage.
Becoming “match fit” for change starts with clear leadership and direction from the top. Teams need to know where the firm is heading and, just as importantly, that leadership is willing to back those decisions. From there, communication is everything.
“Clear communication around change is important. Sometimes I’ve got it really right. Other times I got it horribly wrong. And I can generally trace it back to how often or how infrequently I communicated what was changing.” —Jeames Hanley
What Firms Should Be Doing in 2026
As technology and AI continue to develop, so do the risks and challenges for A&E practices. Updating cybersecurity processes and software systems is vital for firms that want to stay competitive, as well as giving staff time for increased learning and fostering an innovative culture.
Bolstering Cybersecurity
The number one challenge facing firms this year is cybersecurity, according to Jeames. For every new AI tool released, many more are being developed for illicit purposes, making the cyber threat landscape more complex and harder to detect. These risks will also continue to accelerate as the A&E industry becomes increasingly digitised.
To respond, practices need to actively track emerging threats, educate staff on recognising phishing and other common attacks, and build strong cyber recovery plans that prepare for the “what ifs”, embedding these processes into the way they work.
Increasing Learning and Development (L&D)
L&D is especially important as automation and AI continue to revolutionise A&E. For staff to properly upskill in new technology, organisations should allocate a certain number of hours per week for L&D.
“If you’re not allowing your staff X amount of hours per week to be put into timesheets as L&D, you’re doing yourself a disservice as a business. Especially in this AI realm, you have to protect that L&D time like it’s your first-born child.” —Jeames Hanley
Letting Go of Old Systems
What’s the one system Jeames would immediately stop using if he had to start over? Excel. While it can be useful for data transfer, he wouldn’t recommend it for data input and says firms should be focused on integrating their software tools together, rather than managing multiple spreadsheets.
“I love Excel, but equally dislike it because you get 10 different versions of stuff. You’re managing a client list over here and I’m trying to use a shiny new tool. Let’s just all get into one area.” —Jeames Hanley
Driving a Culture of Innovation
Just because a piece of software worked for delivering a project 20 years ago, doesn’t mean it would work for a project of the same size today. Modern projects now require a very different tech stack, but Jeames often sees leaders with rose-tinted glasses on when it comes to legacy software.
With the right culture in place, innovation becomes a shared effort. Building momentum starts with engaging early adopters and using their buy-in to lead change from within. Jeames finds that having a culture of innovation means that keeping up with technological change, and staying ahead of the curve, becomes easy for A&E firms.
About The Blueprint Collective
Hosted by Scott Bampton, Product Marketing Manager at Total Synergy and former Operations Lead at national architecture firms, The Blueprint Collective is a curated podcast featuring candid Q&A-style conversations with architects, engineers, and creative leaders redefining how we design, deliver, and lead.
Filmed online, the series cuts through industry polish to focus on what matters: the ideas and people driving progress. Want to join us on the podcast? Register your interest here.
