At Trimble Dimensions, AI Shifts from Hype to Practical Applications

Las Vegas — Trimble Dimensions 2024, held in the buzzing halls of the Venetian Convention Center, was a showcase of transformative technology for the built environment. Amid the digital displays and technical presentations, I had the pleasure of meeting with Karoliina Torttila, Trimble’s Director of AI, for an in-depth conversation. Torttila is Trimble’s quiet powerhouse in harnessing artificial intelligence to meet the nuanced needs of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Our discussion underscored the practicality driving Trimble’s AI initiatives, turning AI from an abstract idea into a tool that supports real-world challenges.

Karoliina Torttila

Torttila greeted me warmly, her passion evident as she described her work. “Our job,” she said, “is to adapt AI to make it genuinely useful for our industry.” In Torttila’s view, AI must address the unique challenges of AEC, where construction sites, structural materials, and surveying equipment require specialized knowledge that traditional AI models simply don’t have. “There are fantastic general AI models, but they aren’t designed to handle the complex, ever-changing environments of construction and surveying.”

One of the most significant hurdles Torttila faces is training AI to recognize the highly specific visuals and conditions on construction sites. While AI is adept at recognizing common objects in everyday settings, it falters when applied to niche environments like electrical substations or construction zones, where the visual data is dramatically different. Torttila explained how her team at Trimble refines these models to interpret everything from survey instruments to steel beams in real-world conditions, filling in gaps left by standard AI training sets. “We’re not building a ‘ChatGPT for construction,’” she laughed. “Instead, we’re refining existing models to make them reliable in our specialized settings.”

Central to Trimble’s AI strategy is SketchUp, the design tool widely used in architecture and design. Torttila was effusive about SketchUp’s evolution, especially the new AI capabilities that allow users to go from hand-drawn sketches to fully realized 3D models in record time. “Our SketchUp team has done an amazing job,” she said proudly. “It’s no longer just a tool for conceptual design; now it’s a complete workflow solution.” With these enhancements, SketchUp enables designers to experiment with different models quickly, allowing them to go from simple sketches to complex designs with AI’s assistance.

Moving beyond design, Torttila discussed AI’s transformative role in managing vast quantities of data. Today, mobile mapping solutions, drones, and even iPhones can capture immense amounts of information, generating 3D models and high-resolution imagery on the fly. “AI can handle the overwhelming task of processing this data,” she said. “Instead of having someone manually review and label each feature — like structural columns or HVAC components — AI can now identify these elements almost instantaneously.” This real-time analysis offers unprecedented accuracy, allowing project managers to keep a nearly live view of site conditions, which is especially beneficial in high-stakes projects requiring tight timelines.

Torttila’s insights into the design process were refreshingly relatable. She shared a personal anecdote about her own home renovation, which began with hand sketches. “I start some projects with pen and paper; other times, I’ll jump into SketchUp. With AI, you can work from any starting point, whether it’s a rough sketch or a full scan of a room,” she explained. Trimble’s AI tools have democratized design, enabling users to start from various inputs — sketches, scans, or even detailed models — and bring each to life digitally. “The flexibility AI adds to the design process is incredible. Five years ago, we couldn’t even imagine these pathways,” she said.

Our conversation shifted to the growing need for a seamless connection between design data and on-site execution. “One of AI’s biggest strengths is bridging the gap between field data and design insights,” Torttila noted. “In AEC, as much as we rely on standards like IFCs in BIM or various GIS protocols, the quality of data isn’t always consistent.” Trimble’s AI-powered solutions aim to make 3D model data accessible and understandable for on-site crews. Torttila hinted at the future potential for “chatting” with 3D models using large language models (LLMs), allowing workers to gain information quickly and make real-time adjustments. “Imagine asking a model about a specific part of a blueprint, and it responds with detailed guidance tailored to the exact spot on the site,” she said. It’s a game-changing vision, turning complex design data into actionable information for workers on the ground.

One of the most intriguing applications Torttila discussed was AI’s potential as an “industry mentor.” With a significant portion of the construction workforce aging into retirement, she explained that institutional knowledge is slowly exiting the industry. “A lot of this ‘silent knowledge’ — the instincts and insights that come from decades on the job — risks being lost,” she said. Torttila shared how some large contractors are experimenting with capturing long-tenured employees’ knowledge, encoding it in AI models that can provide insights to younger professionals. “Imagine an AI model that captures the intuition of a 40-year veteran. It’s still in the theoretical stage, but it could be an invaluable mentor for newcomers,” she said, underscoring the importance of preserving expertise in an evolving field.

Throughout our conversation, Torttila’s commitment to practical applications of AI was unmistakable. While many are caught up in the AI hype, she emphasized a grounded approach. “We’re past that initial hype curve, thankfully. Now it’s about identifying real problems and addressing them with AI,” she said. For Trimble, this means embedding AI where it can offer genuine utility rather than adding flashy but shallow features. Whether it’s enabling faster design workflows in SketchUp or enhancing data handling on construction sites, Trimble’s AI efforts are all about solving concrete challenges.

Before we wrapped up, Torttila shared her excitement for the future, one where AI transcends language to include “true multimodality.” She explained how AI is now moving beyond text to interpret images, videos, and 3D point clouds, deepening its capacity to understand spatial environments. “This year, it’s about moving from words to worlds,” she said. Torttila’s vision is one where AI’s role in industries requiring spatial intelligence — like construction and surveying — becomes essential, helping humans navigate the physical world with digital precision.

In an industry where cutting-edge AI was once seen as a pipe dream, Torttila and her team at Trimble are proving it can be done. Her vision and dedication paint a picture of AI as a collaborator, not just a tool. It’s an AI that understands, supports, and even mentors, transforming how we design, build, and perceive the spaces around us.

Tags: AI, automation, built environment, construction, data integration, surveying

Category: Trimble

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