2025. June 24.
AI Conference
On 19 June, we organized a conference on artificial intelligence and human knowledge, focusing on AI in construction and engineering, which was attended by nearly 150 people. This event forms part of the DigiTwin conference series, which began in 2023. Reports on previous events can be found here (2023 and 2024 events).
The Faculty of Civil Engineering has been involved in the DigiTwin project since 2022. Since 2023, it has launched the Digital Twins for Infrastructures and Cities Master's programme with four partner universities. Since 2024, the Faculty has been an active member of the DigiTwin Centre of Excellence. The faculty is committed to improving the efficiency and sustainability of the construction industry, and one way of achieving this is by developing digitalization in the construction sector. We have been active in this field for years, launching new courses and specializations, and we play an active role in the national construction industry through adult education, R&D&I projects, and industrial commissions.
The 19 June conference focused on AI technologies across the entire construction spectrum rather than just digital twins for infrastructure engineering, and was designed with this in mind. Following the greetings of the Rector and Dean, the Faculty's training development programs and future plans were presented briefly, after which Noémi Friedman gave a presentation on the AI strategy of the HUN-REN research network. This included interesting applications and the AI4Science initiative, which enables industrial partners to participate in AI research.
Viktor Csuvik (MALI Labs) provided an overview of AI technologies, business challenges, and future developments. Zsolt Petrohán (Microsoft), a government technology advisor, spoke about AI innovation using Microsoft technologies, addressing infrastructure and cybersecurity issues. The presentation concluded with a practical demonstration of creating and operating AI agents. András Ferenczy (Graphisoft) discussed AI trends and challenges in the construction industry, analyzing the future of AI from Graphisoft's perspective and its potential impact on employers and employees. Following an international overview, Ádám Kovács (iConSoft) presented practical construction applications to aid design and construction, and offered iConSoft's complimentary support in implementing AI-based solutions.
The conference closed with two academic presentations. Bence Szinyéri (BME VIK) presented the development of the Bridge Weigh-in-Motion digital twin in cooperation with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, emphasizing AI support. András Mahler (BME EMK) presented two research projects that use AI solutions: one involves designing roadway structures using neural networks; the other is an ongoing project to create an automated pile design and geotechnical modelling system.
Following the event, conference participants were given the opportunity to visit six laboratories at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, at the initiative of ÉVOSZ. Colleagues showed visitors how the laboratories are involved in the faculty's teaching, research, and industrial activities. The presentations were interesting and a great success, and our industrial partners were able to learn more about our workplace and activities in an informal setting.
The Faculty intends to organize similar events regularly in future to attract industrial partners and promote professional dialogue and innovation sharing. We would also like to emphasize that the Faculty of Civil Engineering offers a variety of training formats. Two of our master's courses are available by distance learning, and several professional engineering courses are offered annually. The third year of the Digital Twins for Infrastructures and Cities master's course will begin in September 2025 and will have a reduced tuition fee.
If you would like to partner with us for future events, please contact us at lovas.tamas@emk.bme.hu
