AMC Bridge Shares Expert Panel Insights: Is AI Actually Transforming Productivity?

WALTHAM, Mass., July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), the question is no longer whether AI can change the way we work, but whether it already has. As AI continues to evolve, so does the conversation around its real-world impact. On June 26, 2025, AMC Bridge hosted a compelling online panel discussion titled "Beyond the Hype: Is AI Actually Transforming Productivity?" to explore whether AI is truly delivering on its promise of productivity gains.

The session brought together voices from across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), and software sectors, including Dan Williamson (Director of AI, Ryan Companies), Anthony Hauck (Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Hypar), Patrick Murphy (CEO and President, Togal.AI), Eric Vinchon (VP of Product Strategy, Tech Soft 3D), and Igor Tsinman (Co-Founder and President, AMC Bridge), moderated by Jim Brown (Founder and President, Tech-Clarity).

If you missed the live session, the full recording is available at AMC Bridge Webinars.

Let's review the key takeaways from the discussion:

AI Readiness: From Hype to Hands-On

Panelists agreed that the industry has matured significantly in its understanding of AI. The initial hype has given way to more pragmatic, targeted applications. Companies are no longer asking whether AI is relevant; they are asking how to apply it effectively.

Dan Williamson, Ryan Companies, emphasized that the best AI implementations are those that solve real business problems, and added: "The best way to implement AI successfully is to realize it's not about AI."

Anthony Hauck, Hypar, noted: "The big change we're seeing is that the hype has actually dissipated as people have started to use the tools and, depending on what they try out, see either value or a lack thereof."

"The data is the gold in AI, and I don't think most companies are prepared." Patrick Murphy, Togal.AI, pointed out that while data quality remains a challenge, AI models are improving in handling diverse formats.

Poll Results: Where Are Companies on Their AI Journey?

As organizations continue to explore the transformative potential of AI, a clear divergence in adoption maturity is emerging. A live poll revealed the following about attendees' AI adoption:

"What is your level of AI adoption?"

• 5% - None
• 41% - Researching
• 36% - Small projects or pilots
• 18% - Using significantly
• 0% - Plans in place

This reflects a diverse landscape in how businesses are approaching AI adoption. The gap between planning and execution underscores the importance of strategic vision, organizational readiness, and a willingness to iterate. As technology matures, so too will the approaches companies take.

To provide context for the current state of AI adoption, it is helpful to compare the results of the audience poll conducted during this online seminar with those from the same poll held two years ago.

In the previous session, 54% of attendees were still in the research phase, 18% were running pilots or small projects, and only 10% reported significant AI usage. This year, the numbers show a clear shift: 41% are still in the research phase, 36% are engaged in small projects, and 18% have embraced AI significantly.  

For a recap of the previous panel discussion, please refer to the full recording.

Additionally, a second poll revealed that 75% of attendees have made some significant progress in AI adoption over the past two years.

This trend indicates a steady movement from exploration to implementation. While the majority are still in early stages, the increase in significant AI usage and the reduction in those with no progress suggest that organizations are beginning to realize tangible benefits from AI and are investing more confidently in its integration.

Anthony Hauck discussed how the readiness of AI technology is often limited by the quality and availability of data, which remains a significant challenge for many organizations.

This sentiment echoed throughout the discussion. AI's potential is undeniable, but its effectiveness hinges on the quality and accessibility of data—something many organizations are still struggling to optimize.

The Human Factor: Culture, Change, and Strategy

One of the most insightful threads of the conversation centered on the human side of AI adoption. Technology alone isn't enough; organizations must also foster a culture of innovation and adaptability. The adoption involves a broader strategic shift.

Dan Williamson highlighted the importance of cross-functional collaboration, noting that successful AI initiatives often emerge from partnerships between IT, operations, and business units.

Challenges: Culture, Data, and Integration

Despite growing interest, panelists highlighted persistent challenges:

1.     Cultural resistance remains a barrier, especially among seasoned professionals. However, younger, tech-savvy employees are helping bridge the gap.

"We're seeing a reverse mentorship—veterans are now learning from younger team members," shared Patrick Murphy.

2.     Data readiness is still a major hurdle. Many companies still rely on analog processes, making AI integration difficult.

"If your data is on pink paper slips, no AI will help you," noted Igor Tsinman of AMC Bridge, referring to a real-world construction site example shared earlier by Patrick Murphy, along with the point that data is the foundation of AI.

3.     Integration into workflows is essential. AI must enhance existing systems, not operate in isolation.

Despite the challenges, the panelists shared compelling examples of AI driving real productivity gains. From automating design workflows to enhancing decision-making through predictive analytics, AI is beginning to reshape how work gets done.

Panelists emphasized that while AI can improve efficiency, its real value emerges when it is applied to clearly defined business problems rather than being used for its novelty.

Opportunities: Safety, Efficiency, and Design Intelligence

The panel identified several promising areas for AI application:

1. Jobsite safety through reality capture and computer vision
2. Document intelligence for unstructured data like contracts and drawings
3. Design optimization using machine learning to analyze spatial relationships
4. Automated compliance and estimating to reduce overhead and speed up delivery

"We've seen clients increase bid output by over 200% using AI," shared Patrick Murphy.

Anthony Hauck used the analogy of an intern to describe AI's role, suggesting that while it can assist and scale expertise, it still requires oversight and direction from experienced professionals.

AI Approaches: Beyond Generative AI

While generative AI and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have captured public attention, panelists emphasized that traditional AI techniques, such as machine learning, image recognition, and OCR, are still highly relevant.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is gaining traction as a way to combine proprietary data with LLMs. Domain-specific models and custom architectures are often more effective than general-purpose tools. Integration into existing workflows is key. AI must enhance, not disrupt, current operations.

Looking Ahead: Tactical Wins and Transformational Thinking  

While panelists agreed that AI's "killer apps" are still emerging, they stressed the importance of balancing short-term wins with long-term vision.

Dan Willamson stressed that AI is not a light switch, but a journey.

"We're still laying the infrastructure, but the transformation is coming," added Eric Vinchon, Tech Soft 3D.

The consensus among panelists was clear: AI is here to stay, and its impact is already being felt.

"We've seen a lot more interest and engagement because of the hype, but people have gotten past the hype and are saying this isn't going away; this is sticking around, and they are starting to see where the value is that can be drive," shared Dan Willamson.

However, successful adoption requires a clear understanding of business problems, a strong data foundation, cultural alignment, and ongoing education.

Final Thoughts

The webinar didn't just explore AI's potential; it grounded the conversation in reality. While challenges remain, the momentum is undeniable.

In his closing remarks, Jim Brown of Tech-Clarity, reflected on the session's focus, noting that the panelists shared practical insights and real-world applications of AI rather than theoretical discussions.

Acknowledgments and helpful links

We thank our panelists for their expert opinions and the audience for their active participation and exciting questions asked during the Q&A session of the webinar.

For those who missed the live session, the full recording is available on AMC Bridge Webinars.

To keep track of similar webinars, conferences, and meet-ups, please follow our events calendar.

For more information about AMC Bridge's expertise and experience in implementing AI in construction, please visit our website.

Insights summarized here reflect the views of the panelists and responses to audience questions during the live session.

All statements in this article are paraphrased summaries of the panel discussion and do not represent direct quotes unless explicitly indicated.

About AMC Bridge

AMC Bridge is a global software development consultancy enabling digital transformation for clients in the engineering, manufacturing, and construction industries since 1999. AMC Bridge specializes in custom software solutions that connect complex systems, eliminate data silos, and unlock innovation. With deep expertise in CAD/CAM/CAE APIs, computational geometry, and 3D visualization, AMC Bridge helps clients accelerate development and achieve business-critical outcomes. Learn more at amcbridge.com.

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SOURCE AMC Bridge