AI takes the stage at IIBEC 2025

By Jesse Sanchez. 

How artificial intelligence is reshaping building enclosure consulting. 

The International Institute of Building Envelope Consultants (IIBEC) Convention isn’t just about product showcases and networking, it’s where technology and tradition collide. One of the key elements of this convention is education sessions. Among this year’s standout sessions was a bold dive into artificial intelligence and how it’s beginning to shift the ground under building enclosure consulting. 

Jennifer Hogan, second vice president of IIBEC and chair of the 2025 convention committee, expressed the significance of this new direction during an interview on Roofing Road Trips® with Megan Ellsworth. “We have a general session on the initial use cases for artificial intelligence in building enclosure consulting,” Jennifer said. “What’s really interesting about this one is that it really aims to provide real world insight into how to think about AI and where and how we can actually implement specific technologies.” 

Jennifer noted that the session moves beyond generic conversations and into practical strategies. “Ultimately, we want to go beyond ChatGPT queries and really talk about the potential for the building enclosure industry, which I think for most of us has been kind of nebulous until this point.” 

This pivot to AI signals a larger trend in the building science field, one that recognizes the demand for innovation while maintaining technical precision. As buildings become smarter and sustainability goals grow more complex, consultants are looking to artificial intelligence not just for efficiency, but for new ways to solve long-standing problems. 

While the AI session made headlines, it wasn’t the only look into the evolving technical landscape of building enclosures. Attendees also packed the room for a detailed hygrothermal failure case study that explored how flawed vapor barrier design led to long-term moisture issues and what forensic analysis revealed. It was a reminder that even as AI tools emerge, fundamentals like heat, air and moisture control still demand rigorous expertise. 

Still, the buzz around artificial intelligence was unmistakable. The session on AI wasn’t just theoretical, it broke down actual workflows where machine learning is helping consultants analyze roofing assembly data, flag anomalies and streamline maintenance planning. Attendees left with tangible frameworks they could start adapting to their own practices. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to find out more about how IIBEC is redefining the boundaries of building envelope consulting!