Society of Digital Engineering: 'AI: Impact on the Industry'

We’re excited to be hosting the first ever SDE event in Manchester, focusing on one of the most transformative topics of our time: AI – The Impact on the Industry.

Proudly sponsored by Autodesk, this event will feature two leading guest speakers followed by an interactive panel discussion exploring the opportunities, challenges and future directions of AI within the built environment.

• 25th March 2026
• Arrive from 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start
• BDP Boardroom, 11 Ducie Street, Piccadilly Basin, Manchester, M1 2JB
• Free tickets
• Complimentary food & drinks provided

Speakers

Steve Butler – Senior Industry Strategist for MEP at Autodesk

Steve will offer a deep dive into how AI is shaping Autodesk’s future direction and its role across the built environment sector. His talk will explore:

• How AI is transforming workflows for designers, engineers, and contractors
• Practical examples of AI-enhanced design, including automation, optimisation, and predictive modelling
• How Autodesk is integrating AI into its platforms and how this is influencing product development
• The competitive landscape: how Autodesk is responding to rapid advances in AI
• Opportunities and challenges for professionals adopting AI-driven tools

This session will give attendees a clearer understanding of the technologies emerging within industry software and what these changes mean for day-to-day practice.

May Winfield – Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks at Buro Happold

May will focus on the legal and contractual implications and risks of AI within construction, engineering and design. Her discussion will cover:

• Common potential risks and issues in using genAI
• Legal considerations around liability, ownership, IP and risk when using AI-generated outputs
• Current and upcoming regulatory developments and industry standards
• Ways to mitigate the challenges organisations face
• Key questions businesses should be asking before integrating AI into their workflows

This talk will provide a vital reality check on the risks, responsibilities and safeguards required in an AI-enabled industry.

Why Join Us?

This event brings together professionals across design, engineering, construction and digital practice to explore how AI is reshaping the industry, hear directly from Autodesk on future directions, gain legal guidance for responsible adoption, and connect with peers through open discussion.

There will be dedicated time for networking and Q&As with the speakers and panelists, and we look forward to welcoming you.

CIBSE Privacy Notice

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers ('CIBSE') is committed to protecting your privacy, and takes its responsibilities regarding the security of members' and customers' information very seriously. For the purpose of registering you for this event and providing you with further information in relation to this event we will process your personal data within our customer database. On the basis of legitimate interest we may use your data to inform you of similar events in the future and to promote services, activities and commercial objectives that are designed to support the science, art and practice of building services engineering . For more information about how we process any personal information that we collect about you, how you can instruct us if you prefer to limit the use of that information and procedures that we have in place to safeguard your privacy please view our privacy notice.

CIBSE Event Behavioural Policy

CIBSE wants all attendees to feel welcome and included at our events. We ask attendees to keep in mind that they are within a professional environment when at CIBSE events and they are expected to always demonstrate professional behaviour modelling high standards of ethical conduct, honesty and integrity to protect the reputation and standing of CIBSE. CIBSE will not tolerate or allow any discriminatory or disrespectful behaviours by any person during CIBSE events, including bullying, harassment or sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments or jokes at our events. Where alcohol is provided, attendees are expected to know their limits and drink responsibly. The provision of alcohol should not be taken as an endorsement by CIBSE for attendees to drink excessively nor for any resulting improper conduct or activity.

By registering for this event, you agree to abide by the CIBSE Event Behavioural Policy.

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Host or Publisher Society of Digital Engineering (SDE)