From Data Chaos to AI Readiness

​AI adoption is top of mind for architecture firms, but most teams are trying to build on a messy foundation. Before AI can be useful, firms need clearer data organization, stronger governance, and better visibility across the tools they already use.

​In this live conversation, Evelyn Lee of Practice of Architecture is joined by Aaron Vorwerk of Egnyte and Justin Hiles, CIO at VLK, to discuss what “data chaos” actually looks like inside firms, what it takes to consolidate systems, and why that work is the real prerequisite for AI readiness.

​You’ll hear a real practitioner perspective, practical first steps, and examples of how firms can move from fragmented tools and file systems toward a more secure, usable, and AI-ready data foundation.

​Key Takeaways:

• ​Understand what data fragmentation looks like inside architecture firms.

• ​Learn why governance and consolidation are prerequisites for AI readiness.

• ​Hear how VLK approached the shift from on-prem and siloed tools to a more unified environment.

• ​Get practical first steps to assess your firm’s current state and identify where to begin.

​Speakers

​Evelyn Lee
Host and moderator, Practice of Architecture. Evelyn leads conversations on how architecture firms can move from information to action in practice transformation.

​Aaron Vorwerk
Egnyte. Aaron works with architecture and engineering firms on data strategy, governance, and the systems needed to support secure AI adoption.

​Justin Hiles
CIO, VLK. Justin brings a practitioner perspective on consolidating firm data systems, improving collaboration, and building the foundation for AI readiness.