The inaugural "Best Use of AI and Immersive Technology" category offered a compelling, if incomplete, snapshot of how architects are engaging with artificial intelligence. The new category was intentionally broad, seeking entries that championed the "crazy, mad imaginative potential" of AI alongside those focused on overcoming real-world problems.
While AI’s undeniable ability to make processes faster and more efficient was evident across the submissions, the judging panel was keen to look beyond mere speed. Rather it wanted to see evidence of how AI is pushing architects toward higher-level conceptual thinking and finding “exciting ways of using it that can benefit society.” The scarcity of such entries suggests that this journey has yet to begin in earnest.
At the same time, judges’ discussions revealed a major theme: a palpable anxiety regarding AI’s rise and adoption across the workplace.
The single biggest immediate and practical concern is data security. As one judge pointed out, using public platforms means everything created is "out there." For major practices handling sensitive project information, the liability of intellectual property (IP) leaving their system is immense.
A red flag was also raised over the most frightening entries—those that demonstrated a reckless lack of human oversight, implying a design generated by AI could be sent straight through to construction. This highlighted the urgent need for ethical guardrails and professional responsibility in the age of automation.
Winner, Foster+Partners, with its "slick and well thought through" internal AI Portal was praised for directly addressing architecture’s biggest practical fears because the portal's primary value is its ability to securely leverage AI for tasks like cataloguing data using internal large language models (LLMs), ensuring their confidential IP and data never leave the firm’s protected system.
The Portal was also judged to have “technical depth,” by going beyond off-the-shelf tools and instead opting to fine-tune models themselves and integrate AI flexibly into their actual workflow.
A special mention was given to the entry by artist Matt Collishaw and cultural agency Future City. This immersive, AI-driven exhibition was highlighted as a signalf or the future, encouraging more artistic and experimental submissions.
The project was lauded for "fine-tuning cutting-edge existing AI tools" while also being "thought-provoking" exploring profound themes, such as ecological collapse.
Ultimately,the category confirmed that architecture is at an inflection point. While anxiety over security and job displacement remains a powerful inhibitor, the standout entries suggest the technology is already poised to drive the field—but only if professionals can navigate fears to unlock its potential.
WINNER
Foster + Partners
SPECIAL MENTION
Matt Collishaw and Future City
