Author: Prinell Naicker, Structural Design Technologist, Bosch Projects and winner of Baker Baynes' 2024 Extraordinary Women in BIM competition
My experience at Autodesk University (AU) has been both enlightening and profoundly insightful. Upon entering the conference centre, I was immediately struck by the scale of Autodesk's global presence, far exceeding my expectations. The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement and passion, as thousands of like-minded professionals gathered to share knowledge and insights to advance our industry.
The future of AI, particularly its potential to optimize workflows and enhance the tools we already use, is truly remarkable. I am deeply grateful to Baker Baynes for recognizing my passion and investing in my journey to become a game-changer in the industry. Over the course of the conference, I had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals, exchanging ideas, and challenging traditional workflows. These interactions have been inspiring and have reignited my drive to create a more efficient and sustainable environment.
Attending the general sessions and learning about Autodesk’s achievements and vision for the future was exhilarating. Witnessing these developments firsthand has been a transformative experience, for which I am immensely thankful.
Several sessions were particularly memorable. The session on modelling and detailing bridges in Revit using Sofi Stik Bridge and SBIM was highly informative, showcasing efficient methods for quickly generating rebar annotations and elevations to streamline workflows. The speed-networking session provided a welcome change from the classroom, offering an opportunity to share BIM experiences and discuss diverse, dynamic work practices from around the globe - a truly energizing exchange that underscored our shared passion for innovation in the field.
Another impressive session covered the use of artificial intelligence in Autodesk’s software. During this course, I observed AI integration in Revit, where one could request the AI tool to design a timber connection or optimize an existing one. The tool would then generate a 3D connection design, complete with extractable design calculations for validation and review.
Additionally, attending the Future Briefing session for Structures offered an inspiring glimpse into Autodesk’s upcoming developments, filling me with anticipation and pride for what lies ahead in structural design technology.
I was also fortunate to explore San Diego, LEGOLAND, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.
I hope to inspire women in the industry who may feel that they cannot be catalysts for change or leaders in this field. The possibilities are limitless, and together, we can achieve extraordinary success.
I leave this conference even more passionate, inspired and driven. I am proud of who I am and all I have achieved, and excited about where the BIM community is headed.
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