As the first step in any project, planning and design set the tone for everything that follows. This panel explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping these early stages—from site analysis and feasibility studies to conceptual modeling and generative design. Panelists also discussed how AI-powered tools are being used to streamline decision-making, enhance collaboration across disciplines, and optimize designs before ground is ever broken. Framing the conversation at the front end of the construction lifecycle, attendees learned key takeaways about the opportunities and limitations of AI in helping teams design smarter, faster, and with greater precision from the start.