In this episode of the AI AEC Show<\/em> by AEC Business, I sat down with Carl Veillette<\/strong>, Chief Product Officer at Newforma. With a career that began in architecture and evolved into co-founding BIM Track, followed by joining Newforma, Carl brings a unique perspective on how the industry can better manage the explosion of construction data, particularly through smart, ethical AI.<\/p>\n We explored the future of project information management (PIM), how AI is quietly transforming jobsite workflows, and why connecting email threads to BIM models might be more powerful than it sounds.<\/p>\n Carl began his journey in architecture and BIM coordination. His hands-on project experience exposed the inefficiencies of issue tracking in large projects, which sparked the creation of BIM Track. He saw a real need for better coordination. BIM Track quickly established a global user base, thanks to being a cloud-first SaaS platform that solves a real pain point.<\/p>\n This entrepreneurial path eventually led him to Newforma, whose long-standing focus on project information management made for a natural merger. Together, they aim to close the gap between data silos and day-to-day construction work.<\/p>\n Newforma isn\u2019t trying to replace the tools you already use; it\u2019s making them work together. From emails and Teams chats to PDFs marked up in Bluebeam, Newforma orchestrates workflows to create a complete audit trail. Carl likens this to weaving the \u201cgolden thread\u201d of information across the lifecycle of a project.<\/p>\n Their approach is tool-agnostic and people-centric. They are creating a network across the project\u2019s tech stack, not replacing the tools.<\/p>\n One standout topic was how Newforma is utilizing AI to address the persistent issue of email record-keeping. With 75% of legal evidence in construction projects coming from email, unfiled communication poses significant risks. According to Carl, only 50% of emails make it into project records.<\/p>\n Enter AI. Newforma\u2019s \u201cproject context AI\u201d can automatically identify, classify, and file emails and even tie them to relevant BIM models and workflows. This removes the burden from staff while dramatically improving compliance and searchability.<\/p>\n Carl emphasized that integrating BIM into everyday communication workflows is key. Rather than force project managers or site supervisors to adopt complex BIM tools, Newforma links communications directly to 3D models, accessible with a single click. It\u2019s BIM without the friction.<\/p>\n The company is putting BIM in the hands of people who have never had access to it.<\/p>\n When it comes to AI, Carl is clear: transparency and customer data ownership are non-negotiable.<\/p>\n Newforma\u2019s AI services are opt-in, and they never train their models on client data. If your vendor is vague about using your data to train AI, you should be concerned. Carl ensures that the client owns their information; Newforma doesn\u2019t sell it, and doesn\u2019t use it for someone else\u2019s insights.<\/p>\n Carl described Newforma as the \u201cGoogle of construction project data\u201d and not without reason. Their platform can index everything from DWGs and spreadsheets to emails and Teams chats across both cloud and on-premises systems.<\/p>\n This deep search capability isn\u2019t just about locating files. It supports knowledge transfer, helps teams win bids, and serves as a strategic memory bank across past and present projects.<\/p>\n Looking forward, Carl sees federated, AI-ready data platforms as a top priority. Connecting your data silos is crucial if you want to gain valuable AI insights. And while well-structured data is ideal, modern LLMs are increasingly capable of parsing unstructured inputs, like emails.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s avoiding litigation, improving productivity, or supporting ISO certifications, Carl believes information management must become a boardroom-level conversation.<\/p>\n Information management isn\u2019t just operational, it\u2019s strategic.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one message for AEC leaders: Get serious about information management. Whether you\u2019re chasing better risk mitigation, smoother collaboration, or future-readiness with AI, your project data is your most valuable asset and your biggest risk.<\/p>\n Learn more at newforma.com<\/a> and connect with Carl on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n Podcast: Play in new window<\/a> | Download<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe: <\/p>\n<\/div>\nFrom Architect to Product Visionary<\/h2>\n
![\"Carl](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Carl-Veillette.jpg\")
What Is Newforma Today?<\/h2>\n
Making AI Practical on the Jobsite<\/h2>\n
Bridging Communication and BIM<\/h2>\n
Ethical AI and Ownership Matters<\/h2>\n
The Google of Construction Data?<\/h2>\n
The Road Ahead: AI and Cloud-First Information Strategies<\/h2>\n
Final Takeaway<\/h2>\n
Listen to the interview and subscribe<\/h2>\n