AEC.AI Masterclass Series

AI is no longer a side experiment—it’s core to how A/E/C firms win work, plan growth, and lead responsibly. This four-part masterclass moves from foundations to foresight: you’ll demystify the tech, identify high-value use cases, confront the legal/ethical realities, and put AI to work in strategic planning and business development.

Across expert-led sessions, you’ll learn practical frameworks, see real A/E/C examples, and leave with templates you can use on Monday—from tool vetting and policy basics to scenario modeling and answer-engine visibility. No hype, no jargon—just clear guidance to turn insight into action.

Session 1: Big Picture Vision & AEC Insight: AI for Strategic Planning
Thursday, November 13 at 2:00 - 3:30pm EST

Speaker: Christopher Penn, Trust Insights AI
AI is more than writing helpers—it’s a planning partner. In this 90-minute session with Christopher S. Penn, you’ll learn how to use AI to see the big picture across your markets, pursuits, and operations—and to model plans and scenarios you can act on. We’ll turn messy inputs (historic wins, pipeline, staffing, budgets, constraints) into structured options, stress tests, and “if-this-then-that” roadmaps. You’ll learn to compare scenarios (e.g., add a market, shift pricing, reallocate BD hours), quantify risk and upside, and pick the moves that improve win rates, margins, and delivery. Expect practical frameworks, governance guardrails, and templates —no hype, no jargon, just strategic clarity for A/E/C.

Key Takeaways:

• Use AI to aggregate signals (market, pipeline, capacity, cost) into a clear strategic view.
• Build and compare plan variants (best/base/worst case; resource shifts; market entries) with assumptions you control.
• Attach KPIs to scenarios—cycle time, hit rate, margin, hours saved—and rank options by impact vs. effort/risk.
• Translate the chosen scenario into pilots, owners, milestones, and dependencies.
• Equip champions with prompts, scripts, and a cadence for updating assumptions so plans stay live—not shelfware.

Session 2: Practical Magic: AI 101, How to Start, Where to Focus, What to Avoid
Tuesday, November 18 at 2:00 - 3:30pm EST

Speaker: Kristin Kautz, JAM Idea Agency
For many marketing and business development professionals, the hardest part about AI is understanding what it all means and simply knowing where to start.
AI strategist Kristin Kautz demystifies the technology and provides a clear roadmap for responsible, effective adoption. You’ll learn what AI really is (and isn’t), how to identify meaningful use cases in your daily work, and what questions to ask when evaluating the latest tools and platforms.
Kristin will also share real examples from firms successfully using AI for proposals, marketing, operations, and thought leadership. You’ll leave with a framework you can immediately apply to start experimenting safely and strategically, no tech background required.

Key Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define key AI concepts and understand their relevance in AEC marketing and business operations.
2. Identify appropriate starting points for AI adoption based on your workflows and firm goals.
3. Use a clear vetting checklist to assess AI tools for data privacy, accuracy, and strategic alignment.
4. Communicate AI’s value and potential risks to leadership and peers.

Ideal For:
Marketing, business development, and communications professionals seeking to confidently integrate AI into their work.

Session 3: The Really Big Issues with AI: What AEC Leaders Need to Confront, Control, and Cultivate
Thursday, November 20 at 2:00 -3:30pm EST

Speakers: Kristin Kautz, JAM Idea Agency
In Conversation With: Troy Parkinson, Sage Presence
AI is a present-day leadership challenge. From job security and evolving intellectual ownership to legal risks and ethical responsibility, the AEC industry is facing a turning point that demands courage, clarity, and conversation.

In this dynamic session, AI strategist Kristin Kautz joins Troy Parkinson of Sage Presence for a live dialogue exploring the most pressing issues surrounding AI adoption in firms today. Together, they’ll unpack real scenarios, tough questions, and the cultural and operational shifts required to lead responsibly in an AI-driven world.
Attendees will gain insight into how to protect intellectual property, prepare employees for change, and position their firms to thrive as technology transforms the way we work, hire, and deliver value.

Key Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the current legal, ethical, and cultural implications of AI in AEC firms.
2. Recognize the leadership responsibilities that come with integrating AI.
3. Anticipate how AI will reshape value, roles, skillsets, and staffing strategies.
4. Engage teams in open, productive conversations about AI’s impact.

Ideal For:
Principals, executives, marketing and business development leaders, and anyone shaping firm strategy or culture.

Session 4: How AI is Rewriting Business Development & How to Take Advantage of This Shift
Tuesday, November 25 at 2:00 -3:30pm EST

Speaker: Joshua Hanosh
AI is rewriting buyer discovery and research-based decisions for professional services. It is the greatest first-mover advantage since social media and it all begins with your website and if it can be found by AI and properly cited. If you are not showing up in AI answers you are not being seen and won't ever be seen as more and more people move away from traditional Google search to AI.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how and why buyer discovery is changing
• Gain a clear vision of your company's standing regarding visibility in AI searches.
• Understand how to optimize your website's content so that AI bots can find it when users ask questions you should be showing up for.
• Understand how the hidden world of schema affects your website's visibility.