Event Description

Harvard University will present the foundational topic of data, including types, acquisition, parsing, and their relation to the training of neural networks, as well as more advanced themes such as Large Language Models (LLMs), biases and ethics.

This three-day program will be preceded by short readings and consist of lectures, hands-on conceptual exercises, and group discussions focused on current practical applications of AI & ML in the built environment. Past iterations have looked at the applications of machine learning on property valuation, floorplan generation, recommendation engines, and listing process automation, as used by the world’s most prominent proptech companies, such as Airbnb, Zillow, and Redfin. Given the rate of iteration of AI & ML, each session looks at examples shaping the industry, with recent years having focused on the disruptive potential of LLMs such as ChatGPT, and new AI-based process design.

By the end of the program, you will understand what applications of AI & ML offer your practice a potential competitive advantage, and what procedures need to be put in place to ensure successful AI & ML project implementation. The team-developed AI case study will further illustrate how to make these projects a reality. Finally, you will gain the background skills necessary to lead a technical team in a machine learning project of your own.

Learning Objectives

• Explore the current state of AI & ML, with particular emphasis on their applications in the fields of Architecture, Landscape, Urbanism, and Real Estate, especially in Proptech.
• Learn the five rules about which types of problems AI & ML are the right answer for tackling.
• Understand the importance of data acquisition and parsing for machine learning training, as well as identify potential issues of bias and its ethical implications.
• Harness the power of state-of-the-art LLMs by designing complex AI-based workflows. 
• Acquire the skills to manage a team in a successful machine learning project, without needing the expertise to understand the details of its technical implementation.
• Build your own guide on the steps you can take immediately to ensure successful future implementations of AI & ML in your projects.
• Gain an understanding of AI & ML that allows you to better assess and compare products and services powered by algorithms.

Who Should Attend

• Real estate professionals and investors of all types, architects, designers, planners, and proptech professionals.
• This is a non-technical introduction to AI and Machine Learning. This program is not designed for individuals who already have an advanced understanding of these topics or are seeking an overview of cutting-edge industry applications.