Kenya’s architects and surveyors encouraged to adopt AI to boost sector

Yvone Wanjiru and Gesora Minax-KNA

The Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) has urged professionals in Kenya’s built environment sector to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to innovate and boost efficiency and sustainability.

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir underscored the fact that AI is already part of the daily tools used by many professionals through platforms like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini.

“If you’re not using these tools, you are wasting an opportunity to do much more than you are currently doing,”  Chirchir said, in a speech read on his behalf by Evans Mutari, the Secretary for Administration in the State Department for Roads, during BORAQS 2025 conference.

Held under the theme ‘Empowering the Built Environment Professionals in Kenya through Artificial Intelligence’, the event focused on how AI is reshaping design, construction, project management, and infrastructure development in the country.

AI signifies improved efficiency, reduced costs, enhanced creativity, and data-driven planning in the built environment, Chirchir said.

Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Works, Joel Arumonyang, said AI is important in solving urban planning issues.

He called on professionals to stop reacting to planning challenges and instead use AI to predict and prevent them.

“In cities like Nairobi, we must shift to proactive development. AI gives us the power to analyze trends, map growth, and make smarter infrastructure decisions,” PS Arumonyang said.

BORAQS Chairperson, Architect Silvester Muli, noted that architects are now using tools like MidJourney to generate instant visual concepts for projects.

Muli illustrated that by simply typing a prompt that defines the building type, style, material, and function, the AI generates images that kickstart the design process.

“It is not about replacing creativity but about enhancing it. It helps us begin the thinking process quickly and explore new design possibilities we might not have considered before,” he stated.

Architect George Ndege, President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), called for unity and shared responsibility in navigating the AI transition.

“AI is here to stay, and we must own that space as professionals. But we must also ensure ethical standards and accountability are upheld,” he demanded.

Ndege stressed the need to embed AI in academic curricula and to establish frameworks that preserve human judgment and professional integrity.

The conference featured live demonstrations of AI-powered tools already making a difference in design and engineering.

It emerged that structural engineers use AI integrations in software like Prota and Prokon to analyze loads, simulate structural elements, and optimize building strength and safety.

“What used to take days now takes hours. We’re able to deliver accurate, safe, and efficient designs in record time, which helps keep projects on schedule and within budget,” an engineer said.

Spatial AI tools such as OpenSpace and Matterport were presented.

These platforms use 3D camera systems mounted on hard hats to capture construction site data in real time. These tools enable professionals to conduct virtual inspections, check progress, and identify problems, all remotely.