2024 ASLA Digital Technology PPN Survey on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey, which aims to gather insights into your firm's current utilization and perspective on artificial intelligence in landscape architecture. It will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, and your participation is highly valued.

ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:

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* 1. Which of the following best describes your firm or organization?

Landscape Architecture Firm

Architecture, Engineering, or Multidisciplinary Firm

Design-Build Firm

Academic Institution

Federal/State/Local Government

Campus Planning Office

Supplier/Manufacturer

Other Private Sector Organization

Private Nonprofit Organization

Full-Time student

Retired

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* 2. How many employees does your firm have, including yourself?

Sole proprietor (no other employees)

2-4

5-9

10-49

50-99

100+

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* 3. My office zip code:

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* 4. What computer do you primarily use in your office?

Mac

Use both equally

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* 5. In which of the following market sectors does your firm operate (both as a primary focus and secondary areas of focus, if applicable - select all that apply)?

Campus / Education

Community Planning / Housing

Healthcare

Historic Preservation

Hospitality

Infrastructure

Mixed-Use Development

Multifamily Residential

Office / Corporate

Parks / Recreation / Public Spaces

Regional Planning

Resilient Design and Planning

Single Family Residential Design

Urban Design

None of these

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?:

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* 6. Are you applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your teaching, practice, or research?

Yes

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* 7. How are you applying AI in your teaching, practice, or research? (Please check all that apply)

Language processing (grammar and language aids). Examples include applications like Grammarly, Otter.AI, DeepL

Machine learning (asking a computer program to solve a complex problem by feeding it partial data). Examples include applications like ML plugins for Rhino/Grasshopper 3D

Knowledge generation/Generative AI (generating data, like text, images, video, or music). Examples include use of applications such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly plugins, Github, Copilot

Image or sound recognition (identifying plants, birds, or insects). Examples include applications like iNaturalist, Picture This, Google Lens

Robotics (autonomous or semi-autonomous machines performing a variety of physical tasks). Examples include intelligent irrigation systems, autonomous construction vehicles

Optimization (setting parameters to analyze big data or automate tasks). Examples include edge computing, supply chain or business optimization programs, Internet of Things (IoT) applications like sensors, or cloud computing using services like Azure

Other (please specify)

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* 8. During which phases or tasks of the design process are you employing AI in your work? (Please check all that apply)

Website/marketing

Responding to proposal requests (including grant applications and other submissions)

Writing briefs (including request for proposals/information, white paper, course syllabi or assignment briefs)

Client engagement

Site inventory and analysis

Conceptual design

Master planning

Schematic design

Design development

Planting design

Construction documentation

Bid process / Tendering

Construction administration

Post-occupancy evaluation

Other (please specify)

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* 9. How are you hearing about new AI tools? (Please check all that apply)

Social media

Traditional news (radio, print or online)

Professional development or education

Academic journals

Colleagues/other landscape architects

Students/interns

New hires

Consultants

Other (please specify)

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* 10. How are you learning to use new AI tools? (Please check all that apply)

By trial and error

Online videos or internet searches

Colleagues/other landscape architects

Students/interns

New hires

Consultants

Other (please specify)

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* 11. How is AI impacting time spent on projects?

Increasing time

Reducing time

Unsure

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Do you acknowledge AI use in the design process with a statement or disclosure?

Yes

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Has your company/firm committed billable project time to exploring AI use in their projects?

Yes

Not applicable – I do not record billable hours

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* 14. How has AI changed your billable rates?

My billable rates have gone up

My billable rates have gone down

My rates have stayed the same

Not applicable – I do not record billable hours

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* 15. My firm will use AI-generated material in plans stamped by a licensed landscape architect?

Yes

Other (please specify)

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* 16. What is one thing you wish AI could do for you and your area of design?

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* 17. How do you anticipate AI will impact the future of the design professions? (Please check all that apply)

Improve business operations

Stimulate the creative process

Enhance analysis of complex data

Enhance design exploration and experimentation

Accelerate iterative design processes

Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration

Improve accessibility and inclusivity in design solutions

Automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for innovation

Support sustainable design practices

Enhance design quality through predictive analytics and feedback loops

Enable real-time design feedback and validation

Expand the scope of design possibilities through generative design techniques

Other (please specify)

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* 18. What reservations do you have regarding AI and the future of the design professions? (Please check all that apply)

Business ethics

Job displacement

Diminished human connection with nature

Diminished human connection with design

Increased project costs

Increased software costs

Risk of losing control over one's intellectual property

Diluting the content of one's intellectual property

Infringement upon others' intellectual property

Uncertainty regarding accuracy (in models, forecasting, or other)

Ethical concerns

Social and environmental equity

Other (please specify)

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* 19. Do you plan on using AI in the future?

Yes, in the following year

Yes, in the next five years

No, not at all

Other (please specify)

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* 20. For what purposes do you imagine using AI in the future? (Please check all that apply)

Language processing (grammar and language aids). Examples might include applications like Grammarly, Otter.AI, DeepL, etc.

Machine learning (asking a computer program to solve a complex problem by feeding it partial data). Examples might include applications like ML plugins for Rhino/Grasshopper 3D

Knowledge generation/Generative AI (generating data, like text, images, video, or music). Examples might include use of applications such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly plugins, Github Copilot, etc.

Image or sound recognition (identifying plants, birds, or insects). Examples might include applications like iNaturalist, Picture This, Google Lens, etc.

Robotics (autonomous or semi-autonomous machines performing a variety of physical tasks). Examples might include intelligent irrigation systems, autonomous construction vehicles, etc.

Optimization (setting parameters to analyze big data or automate tasks). Examples might include edge computing, supply chain or business optimization programs, Internet of Things (IoT) applications like sensors, or cloud computing using services like Azure, etc.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 21. What support or resources would you like to see for the design professions? (Please check all that apply)

International AI working group including practitioners, educators, researchers, and students

International conference or workshop on AI in design

Web-based tutorials by academics, practitioners, and industry leaders

Higher education discussion groups

Higher education networks for research and innovation

Build partnerships with the technology sector

Build bridges between academia and practice

Other (please specify)