Stanford
University
  • Stanford Home
  • Maps & Directions
  • Search Stanford
  • Emergency Info
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Trademarks
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Accessibility
© Stanford University.  Stanford, California 94305.
Martin Fischer: How AI and Virtual Reality Can Build Better Homes, Buildings, and More | Stanford HAI
Skip to content
  • About

    • About
    • People
    • Get Involved with HAI
    • Support HAI
    • Subscribe to Email
  • Research

    • Research
    • Fellowship Programs
    • Grants
    • Student Affinity Groups
    • Centers & Labs
    • Research Publications
    • Research Partners
  • Education

    • Education
    • Executive and Professional Education
    • Government and Policymakers
    • K-12
    • Stanford Students
  • Policy

    • Policy
    • Policy Publications
    • Policymaker Education
    • Student Opportunities
  • AI Index

    • AI Index
    • AI Index Report
    • Global Vibrancy Tool
    • People
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • Centers & Labs

Stay Up To Date

Get the latest news, advances in research, policy work, and education program updates from HAI in your inbox weekly.

Sign Up For Latest News

Navigate
  • About
  • Events
  • AI Glossary
  • Careers
  • Search
Participate
  • Get Involved
  • Support HAI
  • Contact Us
news

Martin Fischer: How AI and Virtual Reality Can Build Better Homes, Buildings, and More

Date
January 19, 2022

The engineering professor explains how computer science tools could reshape the field of construction.

For a profession that has existed essentially since the beginning of human civilization, few people fully appreciate the importance of construction in our everyday lives, but Martin Fischer does.

To build the key infrastructure of society, he says, requires intimate understanding of human nature, the environment, the materials and the ever-evolving techniques of building things.

Fischer has grown frustrated with the present state of his profession and decided to change its trajectory using artificial intelligence and virtual reality to redefine what construction will look like in the future.

It’s an effort he hopes will unite the profession in creating more efficient, safer and more livable homes, buildings, airports, bridges and more. Fischer muses all about the future of construction in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman, who is a Stanford HAI associate director. Listen and subscribe here.

Stanford HAI's mission is to advance AI research, education, policy and practice to improve the human condition. Learn more. 

Share
Link copied to clipboard!
Contributor(s)
Stanford Engineering

Related News

The AI Sovereignty Paradox: Should Countries Buy, Build, or Lease to Maintain Strategic Control of Their AI?
Shana Lynch
Jul 14, 2026
News

As nations invest billions to reduce reliance on foreign AI providers, a new Stanford HAI report surveys commercial sovereignty solutions and assesses the extent to which they meaningfully reduce dependencies on U.S. tech giants.

News

The AI Sovereignty Paradox: Should Countries Buy, Build, or Lease to Maintain Strategic Control of Their AI?

Shana Lynch
Government, Public AdministrationInternational Affairs, International Security, International DevelopmentRegulation, Policy, GovernanceJul 14

As nations invest billions to reduce reliance on foreign AI providers, a new Stanford HAI report surveys commercial sovereignty solutions and assesses the extent to which they meaningfully reduce dependencies on U.S. tech giants.

Stanford Study Exposes Major Flaw in AI Mental Health Safety Testing
Andrew Myers
Jul 13, 2026
News
mental health ai illustration head with binary code

With increased use of chatbots in mental health contexts, AI developers now rely on human experts to evaluate AI’s responses for “safety” – but experts rarely agree on what’s safe.

News
mental health ai illustration head with binary code

Stanford Study Exposes Major Flaw in AI Mental Health Safety Testing

Andrew Myers
HealthcareGenerative AIPrivacy, Safety, SecurityJul 13

With increased use of chatbots in mental health contexts, AI developers now rely on human experts to evaluate AI’s responses for “safety” – but experts rarely agree on what’s safe.

Stanford Scientists Build an AI Lab Partner
Nikki Goth Itoi
Jul 09, 2026
News
DNA molecule spiral. 3d rendering

Biomni can analyze mountains of medical data, spot patterns humans might miss, and even design experiments—helping researchers make discoveries faster in the race to cure disease.

News
DNA molecule spiral. 3d rendering

Stanford Scientists Build an AI Lab Partner

Nikki Goth Itoi
Sciences (Social, Health, Biological, Physical)Jul 09

Biomni can analyze mountains of medical data, spot patterns humans might miss, and even design experiments—helping researchers make discoveries faster in the race to cure disease.