SEAoNY Programs Committee Presents:
The Honorary Member Lecture:
Structural Engineering -
from Analog to AI
DATE: Thursday, April 24, 2025
TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: The Center
208 West 13th Street
Room 101
New York, NY 10011
The field of structural engineering has experienced a profound transformation over the past three decades, shifting from manual calculations and hand-drawn blueprints to the integration of advanced AI-powered automation. Beginning in 1995, Rob Otani, PE witnessed firsthand the industry's evolution as digital tools such as CAD, BIM, and computational methods reshaped workflows and expanded design possibilities.
Currently, at Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE studio, Rob and his team are at the forefront of developing AI-driven structural engineering tools that automate complex design tasks, optimize efficiency, and push the boundaries of innovation. This presentation will explore the key milestones in the evolution of the industry, focusing on the challenges and breakthroughs that have shaped the field. Additionally, it will examine the future potential of AI in structural engineering.
1 PDH Pending
Registration Fees:
SEAoNY Members* - $30
Non-Members - $45
*Members must log in to their SEAoNY accounts to receive membership discount on registration. (Students, did you know student membership is free?! Inquire about free student membership at admin@seaony.org)
Sustaining Members & Corporate Sponsors interested in using their free event registration should email admin@seaony.org for the registration code.
Registration ends Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Robert K. Otani, PE LEED AP is Chief Technology Officer at Thornton Tomasetti, Inc., a 1700+ person multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm, and founded the CORE studio, an applications development, advanced computational modeling, and R&D group at his firm. Robert serves as the Advisory Committee for Thornton Tomasetti’s firm wide Research and Development program. He has extensive structural design and project management experience involving commercial, infrastructure, institutional, cultural and residential structures. Over his 25-year career, he has worked on a wide variety of complex projects, including high rise buildings, long-span roof structures, sports arenas, airport terminals, major building structural renovations, complex art projects totaling over $2 billion USD of construction. He has served as President of the Structural Engineers Association of New York in 2007 and has been a professor at Pratt Institute School of Architecture from 2008-2018 and Columbia GSAPP from 2009-2015.
Event, Cancellation & Photo Policies:
SEAoNY will accept refund requests made in writing no later than Friday, April 18, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Registration fees are not refundable after this date.
By registering for this SEAoNY event, I give consent for my photograph to be taken or presence recorded and possibly used on the organization’s intranet, internet, newsletters, board reports, and other organizational materials as needed. I understand that I am not eligible for compensation for use of my photo and I may not be informed in advance of the specific use of those images.
