Artificial Intelligence for the Built Environment - Centre for Doctoral Training
Constructive AI, done differently.
The Artificial Intelligence for the Built Environment (AI4BE) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is a convening hub that brings together experts from across academic disciplines to train researchers in using AI to develop integrated solutions to the challenges facing organisations working on the built environment.
Our mission is to develop AI-skilled, future global leaders who embrace systems thinking, collaborative sharing, and inter-disciplinary cooperation. These skills are essential for AI-informed solutions to a range of built environment challenges including:
Climate change and net zero
Globalisation and localisation
Security and resilience
Productivity and value for money
Our research
Our research will explore how AI tools can be used to achieve significant, purpose-led benefits in the built environment space. We are keen to work with industry and policy stakeholders to help ensure that the impact of our work is translated into real-world impact that drives the future of the sector.
We aim to explore key topics responding to industry, government and societal challenges such as decarbonisation, future buildings, resilient infrastructure, automation and robotics, data centre growth, digitally informed services and governance, circular materials, algorithmic and data uncertainty, and responsible AI.
Potential research projects
We want to be at the forefront of AI-driven innovation in the built environment sector, and we will be looking to support numerous projects across a wide range of technological applications. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the kinds of projects we are seeking to sponsor:
- energy efficiency performance through AI
- natural environment AI assessment from built environment programmes and operations
- AI for sustainable energy buildings
- AI led automation and robotics in the built environment
- AI informed infrastructure adaptation and mitigation
- AI enabled built environment systems thinking
- AI informed security in the built environment of the future
- effective and sustainable AI led urban development
- improving locals' quality of life through AI insight
- governance, policy, accountability, and public trust in AI-driven built environments
- materials and resources performance via AI
- minimising data centre rebound effects of AI
- data and AI algorithmic refresh approaches for evolutionary dynamics
- regulation and reporting in infrastructure using AI
- resilience to hazards and threats in the built environment using AI
- AI algorithms: their accuracy, uncertainty and capacity to hallucinate
- AI data sharing, ontologies, federation and interoperability for built environment insight
- AI for the integrated transport, energy, vehicle nexus
- LLM methods for built environment projects
Work with us
Whether you're an ambitious researcher aspiring to address the most pressing challenges in the built environment, or a forward-thinking leader in industry, we want to work with you to make Progress with Purpose towards a more productive, sustinable future for the sector. Review our current research opportunities or get in touch with our Centre Director, Professor Liz Varga, below to find out more.
What is a CDT?
A Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) offers a distinctive cohort-based approach to doctoral education. Students pursue their own research projects while benefiting from a collaborative environment, shared learning experiences, and exposure to a wide network of industry partners. CDTs combine academic excellence with real-world relevance, equipping researchers with the skills, insights, and connections needed to tackle major societal challenges – like achieving Net Zero.