**5. BIM integration with emerging technologies**

BIM provides the ability to simulate a construction project in a simulated environment. A building information model is created digitally by using BIM technology. Upon completion, BIM will include detailed engineering and related data to support the design, procurement, manufacturing and construction activities vital to construct the building. Because of the greater potential in the AEC industry, many researchers have used BIM integration with other emerging technologies, although all emerging technologies have their own advantages. For example, BIM integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI), BIM integration with Cloud technologies, BIM integration with internet of things (IoT), BIM integration with Virtual and augmented reality (VR/ AR), BIM integration with laser scanning, BIM integration with 3D printing and BIM integration with Drone Technology. All these technologies are considered promising emerging technologies in the AEC industry. The benefits of using these emerging technologies in the AEC industry are known to be enormous [9].

BIM and perfect information management are the bases for introducing new digital ways and tools of working. These technologies go parallel with BIM to enhance *Integration BIM and Emerging Technologies in Architectural Academic Programs DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106443*

**Figure 2.**

*The use of the emerging technologies in 2020.*

the visualization of designs for clients, link different types of data across a project, and share technical data with other project team members [6]. Since the beginning of the AEC industry, it has followed ways to minimize costs, enhance visualization, improve efficiency and data sharing, increase productivity, reduce building waste, improve safety and boost quality and sustainable performance, all while seeking to minimize delivery time. The AEC industry is still dependent on traditional architectural drawings and procedures in order to lead a business. At the same time, the AEC professionals realize the significance of the emerging technologies in obtaining more accurate and smart modelling. Since the AEC industry is highly competitive, the AEC firms that successfully perform the most recent technologies will be capable to outperform the competition due to their ability to adopt them. In spite of massive automation opportunities, the AEC sector has only lately started the transformation from tradition to automation [9].

**Figure 2** shows the result of a survey conducted in 2020, in which designers and other construction experts were asked about BIM and the expected use of the emerging technologies. It was noted that the most used technologies are in the following arrangement: Cloud computing, virtual/ augmented/ mixed reality, drones, design for offsite construction, 3D printing of building components, analytical and big data technologies, digital twins, sensors, machine to machine communication, artificial intelligence or machine learning [6].
