Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to become more integrated into people’s daily lives, and the building safety industry is no exception. Building safety professionals, including code officials, plan reviewers, engineers, designers and contractors, are increasingly using AI to access information and solve problems both in the office and at the job site.  

Generative AI tools are not without risks. For complex technical topics such as building codes and standards, popular general-use AI tools may not interpret the contents as intended and may not use correct sources. This could potentially compromise building safety and put occupants at risk.

To mitigate these risks and better support professionals in the field, the International Code Council (ICC) is working on several fronts to integrate large language model (LLM) tools into our offerings, and to create a path for others building these tools to utilize authoritative ICC content.

ICC’s AI Toolkit

ICC-AI Navigator™, a proprietary, generative AI tool designed to find accurate, current building code information more quickly, launched in 2023 and has answered more than 140,000 code questions to date. It is tested by ICC technical experts and is trained on many amended and specialized variants of the International Codes® (I-Codes®), making it an authoritative source to direct users. It intentionally rejects the “chatty” character of general-purpose chatbots, instead focusing on providing linked, high-quality sources and clear explanations that do not speculate or guess.

ICC has also harnessed AI for new features such as summarization of large sections of code content and filtering of images for searches. With each new application, ICC tested and verified that any new AI feature is providing the highest-quality results when presenting building code information.

Innovative New AI Applications

ICC’s work is not limited to building our own LLM tools, however. We have also been working closely with software developers building their own AI applications. ICC’s Code Connect API service has been key to providing accurate and timely code information to many new AI applications. ICC’s role in these relationships is threefold:

1. To make sure code content utilized by new AI tools is authoritative content
2. To advise on the best ways for any new application to present compliance information so that it is recognizable and easy to understand
3. To help those with new ideas understand the needs of the professionals in the market

LLM-based applications are steadily entering the building market, with diverse applications such as:

• AI-powered checks of visual plans for key code compliance areas
• Dynamic building project information that is verified against correct local regulations
• Aids for on-site inspections that integrate visual information with building safety text
• Drafting tools that can using Generative AI to save time and ensure core minimum standards are met

 Adding AI to Your Toolbox 

It is important to note that AI is not a replacement for the knowledge and judgment of trained professionals. Rather, it is a tool these professionals can leverage to streamline their jobs. ICC believes that there should always be a human in the loop, applying knowledge, verifying information and ensuring that decisions are made with safety and compliance in mind.

That is why we leverage the expertise of real people to power the ICC AI Navigator. To support skilled trade professionals, ICC hosts AI educational sessions for its chapters and presentations at industry conferences. 

Looking ahead, ICC anticipates that AI tools grounded in authoritative content will become standard practice across the industry, giving engineers, contractors and designers faster and more confident ways to work with the codes they depend on.

As generative AI tools continue to evolve, the commitment to thoughtful, informed use will be essential to ensuring that technology strengthens, not substitutes, the skilled professionals who keep our built environment safe.

The author, Ed Cilurso, is Senior Product Manager, Digital Assets, and leads the ICC AI Navigator product roadmap strategy.