Guarding the Workflow  

Architects and designers are bringing AI into their work faster than most firms can write policy for it. Designers try out image generators, upload screenshots of client projects to commercial AI models, and pull assets from wherever they can find them, often on decentralized personal accounts. Each of these choices seems harmless on its own. Taken together, they raise questions few firms have answered yet: where client data ends up, who owns the images a tool produces, whether an asset is licensed for commercial use, and whether a rendering represents the design honestly.

This session looks at the risks that come with unmanaged AI use in design practice and what responsible adoption looks like day to day. We'll cover four areas where exposure tends to build: data and intellectual property, security and compliance, quality and accuracy of representation, and cost and oversight due to lack of training. Then we'll walk through a live visualization workflow that shows how many of these risks can be reduced by how the work itself is set up, keeping AI connected to the project model, relying on controlled and licensed content, and producing every deliverable from a single source.

Participants will leave with a practical set of questions for evaluating any AI tool before it enters their firm's workflow, along with a clearer picture of how to encourage experimentation without giving up control of client data, design intent, or professional responsibility.

Photo courtesy of D5

For more than 34 years, Alan Bachman has helped organizations navigate major technology transformations—from CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to enterprise SaaS and today's AI-driven business transformation. Along the way, he has built consulting organizations, developed high-performing teams, turned around underperforming businesses, scaled commercial operations, and helped companies embrace change with confidence.

Jeffrey Espinoza, Customer Success Director with 9 years of combined experience bridging architectural design and enterprise SaaS implementations. Drawing on a 6-year foundation as an architectural Design Technology Specialist, I guide top-tier design firms through complex software onboarding, translating spatial workflows into scalable processes. Skilled in directing a team of CSMs and aligning cross-functional initiatives across sales, product, marketing, and C-level stakeholders. Proven track record of expanding license adoption across global firm offices, accelerating time-to-value, and driving high-value enterprise renewals and upsells.