The construction industry wouldn’t be where it is today without the bold visionaries who chose to challenge the norm. These are the people who refused to accept things as they were; those who came up with creative solutions to problems and found new ways of doing things.
Innovators move businesses—and ultimately entire industries—forward. Their ideas and innovations enhance our efficiency, allowing us to accomplish tasks more effectively and swiftly.
AU 2026: The Design & Make Conference is the premier event for innovators in architecture, design, and construction. This highly anticipated in-person function will be held in Las Vegas between September 15-17, so mark your calendars!
Innovation is one of the key reasons why so many industry professionals have attended Autodesk University in the past. And this year, we fully expect it to be top of mind, given the pace of change in the construction sector, particularly when it comes to digital transformation and tech.
Staying on top of these changes is necessary for success. Research shows that digitally-savvy firms outperform non-savvy companies by as much as 48% on revenue and 15% on net margin.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, then you must keep up with the innovations happening within the AEC industry.
AU 2026 is packed with resources and opportunities that can help you drive innovation at your firm. From informative classes to networking functions, you’ll be sure to gain new ideas and perspectives at every turn.
Innovation-focused topics for you to discover at AU 2026 include:
(Please note, this session list is a preview only and is not comprehensive. Check out the full session catalog here.)
Discover how VR and AR create a practical, end‑to‑end BIM workflow from design to construction. See how Autodesk Forma can be integrated with Autodesk Workshop XR to enable immersive design reviews and collaborative decision-making in VR. Then discover real-life integration with GAMMA AR to validate installation, reduce errors, and connect design intent directly to construction for a seamless, circular, virtual design and construction (VDC) workflow.
Join us for an insightful session on how The Walsh Group is transforming construction processes using Autodesk Forma and ReCap Pro reality capture. This session will explore the full journey from initial scanning to the final build phase, showcasing how advanced capture technologies improve accuracy, efficiency, and collaboration. Speakers will demonstrate real-world applications of reality capture within a connected platform, highlighting benefits like enhanced visualization, streamlined workflows, and reduced rework. You’ll gain practical information about integrating capture data into Forma to support better decision-making and project delivery.
Agentic AI is rapidly changing how work gets done, moving beyond prompts into systems that can plan, act, and automate tasks across tools. This session will explore how to apply agent-based approaches using tools like Claude Code and Claude Cowork, Dispatch, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) with Autodesk Platform Services. In this session, you’ll learn how to connect agents to Autodesk data, manage authentication and permissions, and orchestrate workflows that automate design and project delivery tasks. Through practical examples, we’ll show how to combine agents, Claude skills, and APIs to move from isolated automations to scalable, end-to-end processes.
AI is increasing output across construction teams, but many leaders are seeing a quieter problem: more-polished work, less ownership. With more options come harder decisions. This strategy talk will use one concrete story and a practical framework to show how to adopt AI without eroding the judgment that experienced builders, designers, and owners have earned the hard way. You’ll learn how to separate AI-assisted production from the human decision making that takes decades to develop. We’ll discuss how leaders in the industry add thinking checkpoints within workflows that make teams faster while preserving their precious (and playful) cognition.
Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) teams excel at BIM for construction, but a "missing middle" exists between handover and operations where high-fidelity data often rots. For owners of 200MW+ mission-critical assets, this data gap creates massive operational risk. How do we bridge this divide to ensure a living digital twin? This session will deconstruct the missing middle using a data-first framework. We’ll explore how to use Owner Data Delivery Requirements (ODDR) and ISO 19650 to align design with operations from inception. Learn the technical workflows to migrate and validate data from Revit software and Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud). We’ll also preview how AI agents can automate QA/QC, transforming static models into actionable digital currency for the entire building lifecycle.
AI isn't just changing how construction work gets done. It's changing how the best leaders plan, communicate, and develop their teams. Most organizations aren't keeping pace, leaving forward thinking VDC leaders navigating the gap alone. This session delivers a practical playbook for managers already ahead of their organization with AI. Planning decisions get sharper, team communication gets stronger, and coaching conversations improve. AI tools get matched to your department's real capability and fit, including what's already built into Autodesk Forma. Credibility for leading adoption gets built even when policy or access hasn't caught up. You will leave this session with high-value entry points you can use this week with zero approval required from your organization.
In addition to these sessions, you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to discover the latest innovations in construction. Don’t forget to stop by the AU 2026 Expo, which features offerings from Autodesk’s most trusted partners.
The Expo will allow you to:
Innovation doesn’t just happen. It comes from the conscious effort of forward-thinking individuals who are committed to building a better future.
AU 2026 empowers you to be more innovative by giving you the opportunity to experience the latest and greatest developments in the industry.
Don’t miss your chance to attend! Register today, and we’ll see you in person in Las Vegas, September 15-17!
