AI in Design Firms: Responsible Use & Risk Mitigation

This session will explore the practical realities of AI in professional practice through a governance and risk lens. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly finding its way into architectural, engineering, and design workflows, from concept generation and marketing renderings to document drafting, data analysis, and project communications. While the opportunities are significant, so are the questions surrounding professional responsibility, copyright, liability, confidentiality, and client use of AI-generated content. This session will explore the practical realities of AI in professional practice through a governance and risk lens. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how AI tools use information, what safeguards exist to protect confidential project data, and what considerations should be made when using AI in environments governed by NDAs, contractual obligations, and professional standards. The discussion will examine evolving questions around ownership of AI-assisted work, the use of design documents as inputs to generative AI systems, disclosure and transparency considerations, and the responsibilities of firms when clients use AI-generated derivatives of professional work. Practical guidance will also be provided on policies, governance frameworks, contract language, and risk mitigation strategies that organizations can implement today. Designed for professionals at all stages of AI adoption, this session will help attendees move beyond the hype to understand how to responsibly and confidently leverage AI while protecting their clients, firms, and professional reputation. Session Presented By: Leimin Gao, MNP Leimin Gao is a Senior Consultant with MNP Digital focused on AI strategy, governance, and advanced analytics. She helps organizations adopt AI responsibly by balancing innovation, risk management, and business value. Her experience spans machine learning, data science, and AI governance, supporting organizations in building trusted and sustainable AI capabilities.