Featured Guests
Jim Martin, Vice President, CIO, Shepley Bulfinch
Jess Purcell, Design Technology Manager, Shepley Bulfinch
Kathy Schumann, Employee Experience and Communications Director, Mead & Hunt
Andy Knauf, Chief Information Officer, Mead & Hunt
Gillian Hutchison, Global Project Operations Director, RIOS
Webinar Summary
We’re excited to bring together three leading AEC firms—Shepley Bulfinch, Mead & Hunt, and RIOS—for a deep dive into how they are leveraging Synthesis AI Search to transform knowledge discovery, streamline workflows, and drive firm-wide adoption.
In this webinar, panelists share their hands-on experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for making AI Search a success in their firms. Whether you're in the beta program or exploring AI Search for your organization, this session will provide valuable insights to accelerate your AI Search journey.
What You’ll Learn:
Key Queries Showcase: Each firm will walk through 10-15 essential queries spanning different departments, demonstrating how AI Search delivers meaningful answers across a variety of business functions.
Content Preparation & Optimization: Learn how these firms have proactively curated, structured, and optimized their content to improve AI-driven search results, ensuring employees find the most relevant and up-to-date information.
Rollout Phases & Testing: Get an inside look at their multi-phase rollout strategies, pilot programs, and testing methodologies, including how they refined search queries, gathered feedback, and adjusted their approach based on real-world use.
Onboarding New Users: Discover the training strategies and onboarding techniques used to introduce employees to AI Search, from sample queries to interactive training sessions.
Driving Adoption: Panelists will share the initiatives, incentives, and cultural shifts they’re considering to drive engagement and long-term adoption of AI Search within their firms.
Live Q&A: The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists.
Find out how these AEC leaders are harnessing AI Search to elevate knowledge management, improve productivity, and empower employees with the answers they need.
Enjoy!
Webinar Timeline
Introduction
00:00 KA + Synthesis AI Search (Beta 1.0)
01:54 Introduction to Shepley Bulfinch
03:18 🔎 Time Off Policy
04:38 🔎 Creating Project Plans
05:20 🔎 Hybrid Policy
05:50 🔎 AI Use Policy
06:15 🔎 Trellis
07:17 🔎 Mass Timber
07:50 🔎 Book Drop
08:11 🔎 Photoshop
08:35 🔎 InDesign
09:20 🔎 Black Flag
10:40 Referencing Specific Timestamps in Video Transcripts
11:18 Introduction to Mead & Hunt
13:34 🔎 What is our password policy?
14:25 🔎 How do I get Outlook on my new phone?
15:02 🔎 What is out Quality Assurance program?
15:57 Defined AI Policy + Training
17:25 🔎 How do I issue construction document changes? (Step by step)
18:18 🔎 Timeline of the ERP implementation (Search Filters)
19:19 🔎 Where can I find authorized contract signers?
19:54 🔎 What is Mead & Hunts corporate giving policy? (Rating Feedback)
20:50 Introduction to RIOS
22:10 🔎 How to send a revit model to a consultant?
22:29 🔎 How do I clean out disk space?
22:45 🔎 Global brand guidelines + Follow Up
23:16 🔎 Meta question: What is Loop?
23:32 🔎 Climate questions + Specific Follow Ups
24:34 Testing the wording of queries: “Onboarding”
26:04 Preparing Content for AI Search at RIOS
27:10 Uploading Native Videos
27:49 Migrating Documents into Pages and Guides
29:00 Increasing Clarity and Consistency of Nomenclature
30:58 Preparing Content for AI Search at Shepley Bulfinch
32:00 Using AI Feedback to Identify Issues
32:40 Migrating Videos from Teams to Synthesis
34:00 Reviewing the Transcripts
34:25 Preparing Content for AI Search at Mead & Hunt
34:45 Cleaning up Posts
35:45 Surfacing Hidden Resources
36:40 AI Search Feedback Engagement
37:08 Rollout Approach at Mead & Hunt
37:45 The Importance of Digital Hygiene
38:55 Rollout to Stakeholder Group + All Employees
40:25 Rollout Approach at Shepley Bulfinch: Alpha, Beta, Open Beta
41:16 Direct Requests for Feedback
42:10 Testing Video AI Search in a Private Community
43:13 AI Search vs Inventing New Content
44:50 A Little Content Goes a Long Way
45:33 Plan for Firmwide Rollout
46:56 Rollout Approach at RIOS
48:35 Q: Are you adding more Synonyms and Best Bets?
49:46 Q: What does SEO look like?
52:16 Q: Is searching within hierarchy an expected feature of AI Search?
53:05 Firmwide Onboarding at Shepley Bulfinch: Finch Guide
54:38 Search Feedback Examples + Data
56:42 Firmwide Onboarding at Mead & Hunt: STEP Approach
