AI - aiding our regenerative journeys or further disconnecting us from the natural world?
Unconference, Be2Camp, AI, Zoom Regenerative and Biophilia
Welcome to Regen/Notes.
I was recently asked what I understand as an un-conference, and what was Be2Camp1, and relevance of AI in sustainability …
My response was to describe an event based on real learning and sharing, giving a voice to all attendees who wanted a voice to be heard. It was an approach we adopted for Be2camp, where although the key theme for the event was pre-determined, the content, agenda and speakers were often determined only at the start of the event. Possibly akin to what we see today at a Climate Cafe.
Out of interest, I prompted ChatGPT to tell me about un-conferences and be2camp … with an interesting response:
An Unconference is …
An unconference is a participant-driven, informal conference or gathering where the agenda is set and sessions are led by the attendees themselves rather than by a predetermined panel or set of speakers. Unlike traditional conferences, unconferences are open to anyone who wishes to attend and participate, and attendees are encouraged to share their knowledge, experience, and interests with others.
At an unconference, the schedule and topics for discussion are typically determined by the attendees at the beginning of the event through a collaborative process such as brainstorming, voting, or open discussion. Sessions can range from informal discussions to more structured presentations or workshops, and may cover a wide range of topics. The aim of an unconference is to foster open communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among the participants, and to create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment than a traditional conference.
Be2Camp is / was …
Be2camp is a specific type of unconference that focuses on the use of social media, web 2.0 technologies, and virtual collaboration tools in the built environment industry. Be2camp events typically bring together professionals from architecture, engineering, construction, facilities management, and related industries to share knowledge and best practices for using technology to improve the design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure.
At a Be2camp unconference, attendees can propose and lead sessions on a wide range of topics related to the intersection of technology and the built environment, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual reality, smart cities, and sustainable design. Be2camp events may also incorporate virtual participation and online collaboration tools to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among attendees who cannot physically attend the event.
Be2camp events are often organized by volunteers and are free or low-cost to attend, making them accessible to a broad range of professionals in the built environment industry. The first Be2camp event was held in the UK in 2008 and since then, similar events have been held in other countries around the world.
Be2camp was founded by two UK-based professionals, Martin Brown and Paul Wilkinson, along with Jodie Miners based in Australia and Pam Broviak in the USA. Martin Brown is a sustainability consultant and blogger who focuses on the use of social media and digital technologies to promote sustainable design and construction. Paul Wilkinson is a public relations and marketing consultant who specializes in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and is also a blogger and speaker on the use of technology in the AEC sector. Jodie Miners is a sustainability consultant and blogger who focuses on the use of digital technologies to promote sustainable design and construction. Pam Broviak is a civil engineer and social media strategist who specialises in the use of social media and web 2.0 technologies in the public sector.
The first Be2camp event organized by Martin Brown and Paul Wilkinson in 2008 brought together a large group of professionals from the AEC industry to discuss the use of social media and web 2.0 technologies in the sector. Since then, Be2camp has become a global movement, with events held in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world. The Be2camp community has grown to include thousands of professionals who share a passion for using technology to improve the built environment.
In 2009 Be2Camp produced a sustainability manifesto based on the open concepts of open communication, open conversations, and open collaborations.
Together, Martin Brown, Paul Wilkinson, Jodie Miners, and Pam Broviak helped to establish a Be2camp movement and platform for professionals in the built environment industry to share knowledge, network, and collaborate on the use of technology to improve the industry.
Reading the AI response was a trip down memory lane, and I do like how AI regards Be2camp through rose-tinted glasses, but there is no doubt it was a significant era in the early days of digital construction and one I am proud to have been involved with.
Time for another Be2Camp or similar to address AI in the worlds of sustainability and regenerative maybe?
Well, read on …
Our Zoom Regenerative session on the 23rd May will explore AI
Vassos Chrysostomou, a long-time ZR friend will share insights into OpenAI ‘Wendy’ - an AI assistant for construction organisations launched at Digital Construction Week 2023
The ZR conversation will address the regenerative or degenerative question- “is it aiding regenerative journeys or further disconnecting us from the natural world.”
“each time technology advances our connection with the natural world weakens” Miles Richardson in Reconnection (review coming soon)
This is in preparation for our Living Future Europe Biophilic Summit on the 7th of June where I will be introducing an AI and Biophilia short presentation generated almost completely by AI. Following this I will also be discussing the biophilic relevance of AI and virtual realities with Jelena Brajkovic
Be2Camp - Built Environment based on Web2 in a Camp (un-conference) environment.
just found this event on AI in Architecture from Autodesk/Dezeen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTPTeeymVHs Haven't watched it yet but also don't want to keep it to myself until I do. I imagine it focuses on efficiency and concept drafting. Also, Autodesk has unveiled recently Forma, an AI-driven tool for generating and analyzing BIM models