<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><p>A very interesting debate.<br>
In my view, the real challenge is not that AI could fabricate LEED documentation (after all, a human modeller can also choose to manipulate a report) but rather that AI has the potential to automate the entire workflow from start to finish. That would fundamentally change the value proposition of our profession.</p>
<p>Regarding the idea of placing model input files in escrow, I’ve always felt that the main barrier isn’t technical but practical: having full access to inputs would require reviewers to engage at a much deeper level and would inevitably expose a far greater number of modelling errors than current review processes are designed (or resourced) to handle. We have all seen highly questionable models pass review with relative ease.</p>
<p>Improving this would unquestionably benefit good modellers, but it would also require a significant shift in how certification review is structured and funded. That’s why AI raises important questions: if automation makes it easier to produce polished reporting, then verifiable modelling practices and transparent data become even more essential to protect the integrity of the process.</p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Best,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Germán<br></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">El jue, 11 dic 2025 a las 0:54, <<a href="mailto:bldg-sim-request@lists.onebuilding.org">bldg-sim-request@lists.onebuilding.org</a>> escribió:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg6671570842474723524">Send Bldg-sim mailing list submissions to<br>
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Today's Topics:<br>
<br>
1. Re: cheat-gpt (Richard Sapwell)<br>
2. Re: cheat-gpt (<a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>)<br>
<br><br><br>---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: Richard Sapwell <<a href="mailto:richardmsapwell@gmail.com" target="_blank">richardmsapwell@gmail.com</a>><br>To: <a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a><br>Cc: Bill Bishop <<a href="mailto:William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com" target="_blank">William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com</a>>, Karen Walkerman <<a href="mailto:kwalkerman@gmail.com" target="_blank">kwalkerman@gmail.com</a>>, David S Eldridge <<a href="mailto:deldridge@grummanbutkus.com" target="_blank">deldridge@grummanbutkus.com</a>>, <a href="mailto:bldg-sim@onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@onebuilding.org</a><br>Bcc: <br>Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:47:28 +1100<br>Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] cheat-gpt<br><div><p style="font-size:50px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">👍</p><p style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:0px">Richard Sapwell reacted via <a href="https://www.google.com/gmail/about/?utm_source=gmail-in-product&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=emojireactionemail#app" target="_blank">Gmail</a></p></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, 11 Dec 2025 at 08:36, <<a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div lang="EN-GB" style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Dear all,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I’m very grateful for everyone’s thoughts. Speaking of LMs I’ve opened a NotebookLM on this thread, by copying the text and pasting it in as a source. It gave this summary, and a nice little mind map:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,19,20);background:white">The provided text consists of an email chain from December 2025 among building simulation professionals discussing the <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">existential threat and ethical risks posed by Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI</span></strong> to their industry, specifically focusing on energy modelling and certification processes like LEED. <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Chris Yates initiates the discussion</span></strong> by questioning the value of modelling professionals if AI can easily generate seemingly legitimate reports and outputs, suggesting solutions like tying design models to building operation calibration and placing model input files in escrow. <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Other contributors elaborate on the dangers of fabricated documentation</span></strong> and the erosion of human decision-making, with <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Bill Bishop proposing ethical mandates</span></strong> such as requiring human review and clear identification of all AI-assisted content. <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Karen Walkerman highlights the actual value of human modelers</span></strong> in providing design feedback and building calibration, while <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Richard Sapwell reinforces the need for human expertise</span></strong> in regulatory interpretation and systems thinking to move beyond easily commoditised paperwork. Collectively, the emails explore how to <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">safeguard professional value by reinforcing verifiable modelling practices</span></strong> against the rise of sophisticated automated reporting.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I hope loading your contributions into NotebookLM is OK with you all. Please let me know if you want them removed, or if you want me to share it with you… it even generated a podcast!<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Cheers<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Chris<u></u><u></u></span></p><div><div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Bill Bishop <<a href="mailto:William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com" target="_blank">William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> 10 December 2025 16:25<br><b>To:</b> Karen Walkerman <<a href="mailto:kwalkerman@gmail.com" target="_blank">kwalkerman@gmail.com</a>>; Chris Yates <a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>; David S Eldridge <a href="mailto:deldridge@grummanbutkus.com" target="_blank">deldridge@grummanbutkus.com</a><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:bldg-sim@onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@onebuilding.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: [Bldg-sim] cheat-gpt<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There may be no way to put the AI genie back in the bottle at this point. The temptation is growing larger every day to wish for more wishes.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We tell ourselves that we’ll only use AI to do grunt work like report writing. Next, we’ll extend that to templates that help auto-generate model inputs, and model geometry. We’ll upload project drawings to our AI agents to generate more model inputs. Of course those project drawings will be generated by AI to some extent, and a larger extent over time. We’ll use AI to auto-populate model input and output tables to facilitate report writing. At every step along the way, there will be less human decision making and less human review of assumptions – and less need to hire and train new professionals and maintain professional credentials. Five years from now, design firms will simply prompt the building-generative AI: “Design an office building large enough for 150 employees, at least two stories but no more than eight, to be built at the corner of Elm Street and Asimov Ave. Base it on the architectural style of Gehry but with more windows. Use all-electric building systems. Optimize for maximum on-site renewable energy generation.” The AI will generate the drawing set and specs but the design won’t accommodate 150 employees because the HR-AI told the Design-AI that the Management-AI will be recommending layoffs.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sure, we can do damage control by proposing specific new requirements for some types of projects, but there are many applications of energy modeling and we should strive for adopting some simple, elegant, universal language and limitations governing AI use that can be applied to all energy modeling projects. All professions should be developing and adopting revised ethical codes to limit the real and perceived short- and long-term damage to the value our professions provide. Some ideas for sample language:<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"><li style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All design decisions will be made by humans.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All content and deliverables that have been created with AI assistance will be clearly identified as such.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All AI-generated content and deliverables will be reviewed for accuracy by humans consistent with standard QA/QC procedures.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">QA/QC procedures will be performed by humans without AI-assisted autocorrections.<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thanks,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">~Bill<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8pt"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">William Bishop</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, PE, CEM, LEED AP, ASHRAE (BEMP, BEAP, CDP)</span><span lang="EN-US"><br></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Associate Principal | Project Executive | Sustainability & Energy<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">[Human-generated. I am not a robot.]<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8pt"><a href="https://www.imegcorp.com/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="126" height="30" style="width: 1.3125in; height: 0.3125in;" id="m_6671570842474723524m_8125883113644592558Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c4cff313" alt="now IMEG"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">IMEG</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> | <b>formerly Pathfinder </b>(585) 698-1956 | phone<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">134 South Fitzhugh Street | Rochester, NY 14608 (315) 879-1122 | mobile<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://imegcorp.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">website</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://dynasend.com/signatures/vcard/William.J.Bishop-at-imegcorp.com.vcf" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">vCard</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pathfinder+Engineers+%26+Architects+LLP/@43.1504815,-77.6145058,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89d6b4fe9e48aab1:0x6991ae3d559d5aee!8m2!3d43.1504776!4d-77.6119309!16s%2Fg%2F1tcw955j?hl=en&entry=ttu" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">map</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="17" height="17" style="width: 0.177in; height: 0.177in;" id="m_6671570842474723524m_8125883113644592558Picture_x0020_9" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c5b16b24" alt="Twitter"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="https://fossilfreefunds.org/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="17" height="17" style="width: 0.177in; height: 0.177in;" id="m_6671570842474723524m_8125883113644592558Picture_x0020_8" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c692e332" alt="Facebook"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/imeg-corp" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="17" height="17" style="width: 0.177in; height: 0.177in;" id="m_6671570842474723524m_8125883113644592558Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c7745b45" alt="LinkedIn"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.imegcorp.com/about/our-story/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Learn more</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> about us and the IMEG story! Ride your bike!</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><img border="0" width="27" height="19" style="width: 0.2812in; height: 0.1979in;" id="m_6671570842474723524m_8125883113644592558Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c855d351" alt="A person on a motorcycle
Description automatically generated"></span><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Bldg-sim <<a href="mailto:bldg-sim-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Karen Walkerman via Bldg-sim<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, December 10, 2025 9:25 AM<br><b>To:</b> Chris Yates <<a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:bldg-sim@onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@onebuilding.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Bldg-sim] cheat-gpt<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div style="border:1pt solid rgb(156,101,0);padding:0cm"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:rgb(255,255,153)"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(156,101,0);background:rgb(255,255,153)">External Email: </span></strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background:rgb(255,255,153)">Treat links and attachments with caution.</span><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This is very timely... We're giving a webinar next Wednesday, Dec 17th at 12pm EST where we discuss our AI approach (and share the EP3 AI integration). <u></u><u></u></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://ep3.solutions/webinarsignup/" target="_blank">https://ep3.solutions/webinarsignup/</a><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I firmly believe that the value of energy modeling lies in the ability of modelers to provide feedback at the SD, CD and value-engineering stages of a project, and as a tool to catch building operation issues if a model calibration is completed. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Other than delivering LEED points, a lot of LEED models don't deliver true value to the project, but that is where projects have a budget for modeling. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">With EP3, the goal is to provide one tool that allows modelers to easily provide design feedback and develop the final model for LEED, incentive, or code compliance. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We'll be discussing all of it on Wednesday - come join if you're interested <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Best,<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Karen <u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 14:44 Chris Yates via Bldg-sim <<a href="mailto:bldg-sim@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@lists.onebuilding.org</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6pt;margin:5pt 0cm 5pt 4.8pt"><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Hi there,<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Just a philosophical one; maybe even an existential one <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😐</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Given LLMs’ “autocorrect on steroids” abilities, what risk do we see ourselves exposed to as modelling professionals?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Let’s give an example…<u></u><u></u></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">A full LEED application including reports, unmet load tables, “error” reports. <u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">Not based on modelling – all reports and outputs generated with LLMs.<u></u><u></u></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I think it would be relatively easy to do this, and present something that would stand up to review.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I think this poses the following questions:<u></u><u></u></p><ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">If our main value offering can be replaced with auto-complete, what is the value of what we’re doing, anyway?<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">How can we improve the value?<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">How can we protect that value?<u></u><u></u></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’d like to propose some solutions:<u></u><u></u></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Tie Design stage models into the Operation of the building – calibrate<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">Rather than just submitting reports, place model input files into <b>escrow</b> with GBCI (or their local equivalent)<u></u><u></u></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Controversial?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cheers<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chris<u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">_______________________________________________<br>Bldg-sim mailing list<br><a href="http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org" target="_blank">http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org</a><br>To unsubscribe from this mailing list send a blank message to <a href="mailto:BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@ONEBUILDING.ORG" target="_blank">BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@ONEBUILDING.ORG</a><u></u><u></u></span></p></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div>
<br><br><br>---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <<a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>><br>To: "'Bill Bishop'" <<a href="mailto:William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com" target="_blank">William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com</a>>, "'Karen Walkerman'" <<a href="mailto:kwalkerman@gmail.com" target="_blank">kwalkerman@gmail.com</a>>, "'David S Eldridge'" <<a href="mailto:deldridge@grummanbutkus.com" target="_blank">deldridge@grummanbutkus.com</a>>, "'Richard Sapwell'" <<a href="mailto:richardmsapwell@gmail.com" target="_blank">richardmsapwell@gmail.com</a>><br>Cc: <<a href="mailto:bldg-sim@onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@onebuilding.org</a>><br>Bcc: <br>Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:36:07 -0000<br>Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] cheat-gpt<br><div lang="EN-GB" style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div class="m_6671570842474723524WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Dear all,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I’m very grateful for everyone’s thoughts. Speaking of LMs I’ve opened a NotebookLM on this thread, by copying the text and pasting it in as a source. It gave this summary, and a nice little mind map:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,19,20);background:white">The provided text consists of an email chain from December 2025 among building simulation professionals discussing the <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">existential threat and ethical risks posed by Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI</span></strong> to their industry, specifically focusing on energy modelling and certification processes like LEED. <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Chris Yates initiates the discussion</span></strong> by questioning the value of modelling professionals if AI can easily generate seemingly legitimate reports and outputs, suggesting solutions like tying design models to building operation calibration and placing model input files in escrow. <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Other contributors elaborate on the dangers of fabricated documentation</span></strong> and the erosion of human decision-making, with <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Bill Bishop proposing ethical mandates</span></strong> such as requiring human review and clear identification of all AI-assisted content. <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Karen Walkerman highlights the actual value of human modelers</span></strong> in providing design feedback and building calibration, while <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Richard Sapwell reinforces the need for human expertise</span></strong> in regulatory interpretation and systems thinking to move beyond easily commoditised paperwork. Collectively, the emails explore how to <strong><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">safeguard professional value by reinforcing verifiable modelling practices</span></strong> against the rise of sophisticated automated reporting.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">I hope loading your contributions into NotebookLM is OK with you all. Please let me know if you want them removed, or if you want me to share it with you… it even generated a podcast!<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Cheers<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Chris<u></u><u></u></span></p><div><div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Bill Bishop <<a href="mailto:William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com" target="_blank">William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> 10 December 2025 16:25<br><b>To:</b> Karen Walkerman <<a href="mailto:kwalkerman@gmail.com" target="_blank">kwalkerman@gmail.com</a>>; Chris Yates <a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>; David S Eldridge <a href="mailto:deldridge@grummanbutkus.com" target="_blank">deldridge@grummanbutkus.com</a><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:bldg-sim@onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@onebuilding.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: [Bldg-sim] cheat-gpt<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There may be no way to put the AI genie back in the bottle at this point. The temptation is growing larger every day to wish for more wishes.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We tell ourselves that we’ll only use AI to do grunt work like report writing. Next, we’ll extend that to templates that help auto-generate model inputs, and model geometry. We’ll upload project drawings to our AI agents to generate more model inputs. Of course those project drawings will be generated by AI to some extent, and a larger extent over time. We’ll use AI to auto-populate model input and output tables to facilitate report writing. At every step along the way, there will be less human decision making and less human review of assumptions – and less need to hire and train new professionals and maintain professional credentials. Five years from now, design firms will simply prompt the building-generative AI: “Design an office building large enough for 150 employees, at least two stories but no more than eight, to be built at the corner of Elm Street and Asimov Ave. Base it on the architectural style of Gehry but with more windows. Use all-electric building systems. Optimize for maximum on-site renewable energy generation.” The AI will generate the drawing set and specs but the design won’t accommodate 150 employees because the HR-AI told the Design-AI that the Management-AI will be recommending layoffs.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sure, we can do damage control by proposing specific new requirements for some types of projects, but there are many applications of energy modeling and we should strive for adopting some simple, elegant, universal language and limitations governing AI use that can be applied to all energy modeling projects. All professions should be developing and adopting revised ethical codes to limit the real and perceived short- and long-term damage to the value our professions provide. Some ideas for sample language:<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"><li class="m_6671570842474723524MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All design decisions will be made by humans.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_6671570842474723524MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All content and deliverables that have been created with AI assistance will be clearly identified as such.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_6671570842474723524MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All AI-generated content and deliverables will be reviewed for accuracy by humans consistent with standard QA/QC procedures.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_6671570842474723524MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">QA/QC procedures will be performed by humans without AI-assisted autocorrections.<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thanks,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">~Bill<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8pt"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">William Bishop</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, PE, CEM, LEED AP, ASHRAE (BEMP, BEAP, CDP)</span><span lang="EN-US"><br></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Associate Principal | Project Executive | Sustainability & Energy<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">[Human-generated. I am not a robot.]<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8pt"><a href="https://www.imegcorp.com/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="126" height="30" style="width: 1.3125in; height: 0.3125in;" id="m_6671570842474723524Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c4cff313" alt="now IMEG"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">IMEG</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> | <b>formerly Pathfinder </b>(585) 698-1956 | phone<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">134 South Fitzhugh Street | Rochester, NY 14608 (315) 879-1122 | mobile<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">William.J.Bishop@imegcorp.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://imegcorp.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">website</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://dynasend.com/signatures/vcard/William.J.Bishop-at-imegcorp.com.vcf" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">vCard</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> | </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pathfinder+Engineers+%26+Architects+LLP/@43.1504815,-77.6145058,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89d6b4fe9e48aab1:0x6991ae3d559d5aee!8m2!3d43.1504776!4d-77.6119309!16s%2Fg%2F1tcw955j?hl=en&entry=ttu" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">map</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="17" height="17" style="width: 0.177in; height: 0.177in;" id="m_6671570842474723524Picture_x0020_9" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c5b16b24" alt="Twitter"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="https://fossilfreefunds.org/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="17" height="17" style="width: 0.177in; height: 0.177in;" id="m_6671570842474723524Picture_x0020_8" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c692e332" alt="Facebook"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/imeg-corp" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="17" height="17" style="width: 0.177in; height: 0.177in;" id="m_6671570842474723524Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c7745b45" alt="LinkedIn"></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.imegcorp.com/about/our-story/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Learn more</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> about us and the IMEG story! Ride your bike!</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><img border="0" width="27" height="19" style="width: 0.2812in; height: 0.1979in;" id="m_6671570842474723524Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:ii_19b0e6eec8c855d351" alt="A person on a motorcycle
Description automatically generated"></span><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Bldg-sim <<a href="mailto:bldg-sim-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Karen Walkerman via Bldg-sim<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, December 10, 2025 9:25 AM<br><b>To:</b> Chris Yates <<a href="mailto:chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com" target="_blank">chris.malcolm.yates@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:bldg-sim@onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@onebuilding.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Bldg-sim] cheat-gpt<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div style="border:1pt solid rgb(156,101,0);padding:0cm"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:rgb(255,255,153)"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(156,101,0);background:rgb(255,255,153)">External Email: </span></strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;color:black;background:rgb(255,255,153)">Treat links and attachments with caution.</span><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This is very timely... We're giving a webinar next Wednesday, Dec 17th at 12pm EST where we discuss our AI approach (and share the EP3 AI integration). <u></u><u></u></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://ep3.solutions/webinarsignup/" target="_blank">https://ep3.solutions/webinarsignup/</a><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I firmly believe that the value of energy modeling lies in the ability of modelers to provide feedback at the SD, CD and value-engineering stages of a project, and as a tool to catch building operation issues if a model calibration is completed. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Other than delivering LEED points, a lot of LEED models don't deliver true value to the project, but that is where projects have a budget for modeling. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">With EP3, the goal is to provide one tool that allows modelers to easily provide design feedback and develop the final model for LEED, incentive, or code compliance. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We'll be discussing all of it on Wednesday - come join if you're interested <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Best,<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Karen <u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 14:44 Chris Yates via Bldg-sim <<a href="mailto:bldg-sim@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">bldg-sim@lists.onebuilding.org</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6pt;margin:5pt 0cm 5pt 4.8pt"><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Hi there,<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Just a philosophical one; maybe even an existential one <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😐</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Given LLMs’ “autocorrect on steroids” abilities, what risk do we see ourselves exposed to as modelling professionals?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Let’s give an example…<u></u><u></u></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">A full LEED application including reports, unmet load tables, “error” reports. <u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">Not based on modelling – all reports and outputs generated with LLMs.<u></u><u></u></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I think it would be relatively easy to do this, and present something that would stand up to review.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I think this poses the following questions:<u></u><u></u></p><ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">If our main value offering can be replaced with auto-complete, what is the value of what we’re doing, anyway?<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">How can we improve the value?<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">How can we protect that value?<u></u><u></u></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’d like to propose some solutions:<u></u><u></u></p><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Tie Design stage models into the Operation of the building – calibrate<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">Rather than just submitting reports, place model input files into <b>escrow</b> with GBCI (or their local equivalent)<u></u><u></u></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Controversial?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cheers<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chris<u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">_______________________________________________<br>Bldg-sim mailing list<br><a href="http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org" target="_blank">http://lists.onebuilding.org/listinfo.cgi/bldg-sim-onebuilding.org</a><br>To unsubscribe from this mailing list send a blank message to <a href="mailto:BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@ONEBUILDING.ORG" target="_blank">BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE@ONEBUILDING.ORG</a><u></u><u></u></span></p></blockquote></div></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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