AI-Integrated BIM Education: A Conceptual Framework for Process Competencies Aligned with Industry Workforce Demands

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has evolved from a visualisation aid to a process-driven methodology that demands interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous information management aligned with ISO 19650. Yet many curricula still prioritise software proficiency over process understanding, leaving graduates under-prepared for BIM coordination, information management and decision-making. At the same time, rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in construction is reshaping BIM workflows and amplifying existing skills gaps. This conceptual paper develops a theoretically grounded framework for integrating AI into BIM education to cultivate both technical and process-oriented competencies. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model, constructivist learning theory and cognitive load theory, the framework positions AI as a cognitive scaffold that shifts students’ effort from routine modelling operations towards higher-order process reasoning. It specifies a scaffolded progression of AI use, authentic ISO 19650-aligned project work, collaborative interdisciplinary learning structures and assessment strategies that foreground process competencies rather than isolated software skills. The framework’s distinctive contribution lies in its explicit integration of three theoretical lenses, systematic mapping of learning outcomes to ISO 19650 and buildingSMART certification domains, and operational guidance through worked examples of AI-integrated instruction. Although conceptual and awaiting empirical validation, the framework offers actionable guidance for programme leaders and educators designing AI-enabled BIM curricula. It contributes to educational technology scholarship by illustrating how established learning theories can structure AI integration in technical education and by proposing AI as a pedagogical tool for addressing critical workforce development challenges in the construction industry.