AI at SSOE: Redefine Possibility

We don’t just use AI. We’re building a smarter way to design, together.

At SSOE, we believe the future of architecture and engineering is AI-powered but human led. We’re not waiting for transformation to happen around us. We’re making it happen—responsibly, boldly, and in a way that truly benefits our clients and our people. That’s what this space is for: to share our story, spark ideas, and show you what’s possible when an A/E firm starts thinking like an AI company.

A philosophy that starts at the top

    “To truly transform the AEC industry, we must think like an AI firm aiming to deliver A/E services — not like an engineering firm merely trying to incorporate AI.”

    Vince DiPofi, CEO

    “The architecture, engineering, and construction industries stand at a crossroads with the opportunity to harness AI’s potential and shape the future. By proactively adopting and strategically integrating AI, we can redefine industry competitiveness and client satisfaction, paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable tomorrow.”

    Brett Susany, Executive – AI and Innovation

    This is more than a tagline—it’s a mindset. SSOE’s approach to AI is intentional and integrated.

    We’ve asked big questions:

    • How do we make responsibility and ethics foundational to our AI strategy?
    • How do we ensure it uplifts our teams and our client outcomes?
    • How do we protect what makes our work deeply human?

    This thinking led us to create the AI Governance Team (AIGT), a diverse, cross-functional group that guides how we use AI safely, ethically, and effectively across our company. Today, we’ve evolved into an overarching AI Implementation Team made up of our AIGT and an R&D team focused on proof-of-concept development, testing, and integration / product rollout.

    AI in action: on our projects, with our people

    Our journey: from pilot to platform

    2022

    December 2022: CEO shares vision for AI integration into all parts of our business.

    2023

    May 2023: Established Data/AI Ethics Principles Policy for generative AI use.

    July 2023: Annual planning session focused on AI opportunities / challenges. Sourced top project ideas to move forward.

    September 2023: AI Governance Team announced. Began YegaTech & Valkyrie collaboration identify potential AI initiatives.

    October 2023: SSOE appoints PMO and SVP of AI Integration, highlighting their commitment to improving project delivery best practices through the use of AI.

    2024

    February 2024: Roll out of generative AI across the organization using Microsoft Copilot Enterprise.

    October 2024: SSOE appoints full-time Executive overseeing AI, highlighting the company’s commitment to advancing AI initiatives.

    October 2024: SSOE’s Brett Susany’s article, Embracing AI’s Transformative Power Has Massive Potential for Design and Construction, published in ENR.

    December 2024: SSOE launches Innovation Pipeline to prioritize and move AI and automation projects forward.

    2025

    April 2025: CEO participates at YegaTech AI Summit: Aligning Business, Culture, and Operations.

    May 2025: SSOE advances a full-time Director of AI, furthering their focus on AI.

    July 2025: Launch and participation of the Expert A&E Business Plan Advisor Persona at the organization’s annual planning session.

    August 2025: SSOE achieves 100% completion of its voluntary AI responsibility training—an essential milestone for gaining access to LLMs.

    Voices & Vision

    Want to know how we’re thinking about AI? Take a look.

    A leading AE firm probes the power and promise of technology-assisted design

    Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances and accelerates human-driven projects, allowing for more efficient and innovative design processes. The integration of AI into the design workflow promises to revolutionize the industry by improving accuracy, reducing time, and fostering creativity. SSOE is leveraging these technological advancements to stay on the cutting edge of technology in the competitive A/E landscape and deliver superior results to its clients. Executive of AI and Innovation Brett Susany explains further in this recent BD+C article.

    “While the promise of AI has always been promoted in what it can produce, its real power is what it can do to complement employees in their work by eliminating time-consuming and repetitive tasks that free staff to focus on more high-value and professionally stimulating solutions in the production process.”

    Read the full article here.

    Top innovations from the nation’s largest engineering firms

    The BD+C editorial team asked the 2024 Engineering Giants what their single-biggest firm innovation was over the past 12 months. In this article, SSOE discusses the launching of a generative AI tool across the organization, Microsoft Edge Copilot.

    “The secure chatbot tool leverages the power of AI to boost productivity, unlock creativity, help users understand information, and generate content.”

    To read the full article, click here.

    Embracing AI’s transformative power

    AI has the potential to revolutionize the construction and design industries, reshaping project delivery and client service methods. As a leading firm, SSOE has seen opportunities for AI to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and optimize project outcomes. Executive of AI and Innovation Brett Susany explains further in a recent Engineering News-Record article.

    “To unlock AI’s full potential, we embarked on a strategic initiative to establish a robust governance structure. A dedicated team was formed to oversee the implementation of AI, partnering with external experts to develop a comprehensive framework.”

    Read the full article here.

    SSOE Group’s Nafis Hasan to present innovative AI solutions in structural engineering at LCI Lean in Design Forum

    Nafis Hasan, CEng, a Structural Engineer based in the firm’s Mumbai, India office, presented at the 2025 Lean Construction Institute (LCI) Lean in Design Forum. Hasan presented “Transforming Structural Engineering with AI: A Design Genie” where participants explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in structural engineering, specifically focusing on Microsoft Copilot’s capabilities.

    “Recent trends in AI have revolutionized many aspects of our lives, making tasks easier and more efficient. In the realm of structural engineering, AI is proving to be a game-changer.”

    Read the full press release here.

    SSOE’s journey to the forefront of AI-powered engineering

    In late 2022, prior to the release of ChatGPT, SSOE anticipated that the world of AI would move quickly.

    They realized that to successfully tackle long-standing challenges in design and delivery with AI, they first needed an AI strategy. SSOE collaborated with YegaTech to accelerate its AI-powered digital transformation. Through the process, YegaTech equipped SSOE’s employees with the knowledge and framework required to effectively harness AI through their processes and workflows.

    “Leaders realized that AI could help us right now in the business that we do on a daily basis.”

    To read the full case study, click here.

    Six essential elements companies need to focus on when creating an AI strategy

    Headlines are shouting that organizations need to adopt AI today, and those who wait will quickly find themselves behind the rest of the world.

    But diving into the pool of AI without a strategy will actually put you further behind — in adoption and resources. In this YegaTech article, Director of Technology, Lauren Collier, and Structural Designer, Denys Chernenko, share essential elements they learned about creating an AI strategy.

    “We discovered we already had a staff with a real passion for AI. Embracing this passion and engaging them in the workshops helped us nurture the ideas and build the momentum needed to shift the culture.”

    To read the full article, click here.

    AEC Disruptors Circle testimonial

    Vice President of Technology Scott Thompson gives a testimonial at the AEC Disruptors Circle, an event that brings architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) executives together to exchange best practices and lessons learned in creating AI strategies and governance and effectively operationalizing AI in their company.

    “One of the things that’s really clear in introducing AI into our industry is there has to be strategy, governance, and a process.”

    Meet the AI implementation team

    Brett Susany

    Executive - AI and Innovation

    Lauren Collier

    Director of AI and Innovation

    Scott Thompson

    Technology | Vice President

    David Smiljanich

    Manager, Digital Delivery

    Asma Anjum

    Technology Program Manager, AI and Innovation

    Abhishek Shah

    Technology Program Manager, AI and Innovation

    Baalaganapathy (Baala) Manohar, PE, LEED AP, CPD

    Mechanical Engineer

    Denys Chernenko, EIT

    Structural Engineer

    Chelsea Whetsel

    Product Support Manager

    Let’s shape the future of design together