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What happens when AI meets the business of architecture? In this episode, Rion sits down with Dr. Sam Zolfagharian—co-founder of YegaTech—to explore how AI is reshaping the AEC industry. Sam shares insights from years of experience in structural engineering, construction tech, and leading-edge AI.
But this isn’t just about tools and tech. It’s about mindset, risk, and what happens when firms approach AI the wrong way. Sam unpacks how small firms can gain a huge edge—without chasing every shiny new tool.
You’ll also hear why AI isn’t here to replace architects—but it will change who thrives and who gets left behind.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The most dangerous question firms ask when starting their AI journey
How one engineer cloned herself—and why your next hire might not be human
The quiet revolution happening inside clients’ minds (and how it could change your fee structure forever)
To learn more about Sam, visit her website: https://yegatech.com/
00:00 Intro
03:42 Why Chasing AI Tools Is Killing Your Firm Right Now
07:15 I Built My AI Clone for Under $3,000 in One Month
11:28 The Shadow AI Risk Your Employees Are Hiding
15:51 From Machine Learning to LLMs: What Actually Changed
19:33 Why 97% of AEC Firms Have No AI Strategy
23:06 The Doctor Metaphor: Stop Asking for Pills
27:14 How to Capture Legacy Knowledge Before Retirement
31:47 The “Tell Me What Tool to Use” Trap
35:22 Why Clients Now Demand AI-Powered Firms
39:08 AI Won’t Make You Cheaper – It Makes You Valuable
42:35 The Lawyer Who Cited Fake Case Law from ChatGPT
46:50 When Your CEO Bans AI Talk Completely
50:17 The Fire Metaphor: AI Governance Explained
53:28 Why Junior Staff Will Trust AI Over Senior Experts
55:12 The One Thing Every Firm Must Do Tomorrow
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