Do We Still Need Architects? AI and the Future of the Built Environment
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
At Proptech Australia, we believe that the intersection of technology and real estate holds the key to a smarter, more efficiently built environment. And it is the conversations we have today that will shape our future.
With this in mind, we’re partnering with Sydney’s Inner West Startups + Tech (IWST) to bring you a panel discussion that tackles one of the most provocative questions in our industry right now:
Do we still need architects?
Why attend?
AI is advancing rapidly across every sector, and the built environment is no exception. Generative design tools can now turn a simple prompt into a building model. Feasibility work that once took weeks can be completed in minutes. AI is even checking plans against planning controls.
So what does this mean for a profession that takes six years to enter and is protected by professional registration? Is this architecture's Uber moment, or are judgement, liability and professional sign-off a bridge that AI simply cannot cross?
This is not a product showcase. It is a grounded debate focusing on what’s genuinely changing, what’s being overstated, and what it all means for the future of design and construction.
Meet our panellists
Anycie Barakat (Archistar.ai): Vice President, Digital Code Engineering at Archistar.ai, bringing deep expertise in property technology, AI-powered feasibility and digital planning tools.
Gabrielle R Suhr (SJB Architects): Project Director at SJB Architects, with extensive experience in architecture, design leadership and complex project delivery.
Who is this for?
Proptech founders, leaders and managers, plus architects, developers, builders and tech-curious professionals who seek honest assessments from industry leaders about where AI might take architecture and, therefore, the cities, towns and suburbs we live in.
Event details
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 6:30 pm -- 9:00 pm AEST
Location: Red Mill Rum, 176 Mullens St, Rozelle NSW 2039
Tickets: $18.50 for General Admission
Includes pizza and drinks
Spaces are limited. Secure your spot now and join the conversation.
