RIBA AI Summit

On Wednesday, 4th February, Associate Director & Head of Tech and Innovation Ryan Farthing and Design Manager & AI Lead Olivia Stobs-Stobart attended the RIBA AI Summit to explore the latest developments and hear from a range of inspiring speakers across the industry. The day featured compelling keynotes covering everything from vibe coding and AI agents to indeterminacy, the competency principle, and the thought-provoking question of whether there is, or should be, joy in using AI.

One theme emerged repeatedly throughout the day: the word “intimidating.” This gave us pause to consider what this reveals about our industry. Is AI itself intimidating, or is it the implementation of AI that creates apprehension? And more importantly, how much are we truly sharing and exploring together as an industry?

As AI capabilities continue to advance at pace, the imperative to understand how these systems actually work has never been greater. Events like this provide valuable space to step back and reflect on:

– The importance of retaining original thought and ideas while leveraging AI’s capabilities.

– The need to focus on the goals and outcomes of AI and upskilling teams, rather than getting lost in the technology itself.

– The value of remaining flexible in our approach as the landscape evolves.

At Plan A, we’re already embedding these principles into our work – understanding the systems and processes, staying focused on outcomes, and maintaining flexibility. The insights from the day help us to continue to refine our approach, ensuring we implement AI responsibly and meaningfully while connecting with other professionals navigating the same journey.