The integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) design marks a paradigm shift, yet empirical studies on AEC professional adoption are scarce. This study aims to bridge this gap through a mixed-methods study involving interviews with 20 professionals and a survey of 191 professionals. Findings show GenAI is mainly used in conceptual design, improving client and intra-team collaboration, especially in concept-only projects, strong site integration projects, and challenging client engagements projects for inspiration exploration, client communication and design service boundaries expansion. We further uncover a critical paradox: professionals perceive GenAI’s creativity as intrinsically linked to the unpredictability. Additionally, a nuanced “shame-yet-pride'' dynamic is identified, wherein professionals publicly regard GenAI as a key asset but conceal its use to exaggerate manual effort. Based on these insights, we recommend fostering an industry-wide discussion for a mindset shift toward transparent collaboration with GenAI. This study offers the first comprehensive empirical study for understanding GenAI’s current role and future potential in transforming AEC design practices.
ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems