Most AI conversations in architecture fixate on image generation and renderings — but firm leaders are asking bigger questions: How will AI change workflows, staffing, business models, and profitability?

In this episode of Archicon Uncut, Aya Shlachter and Nikita Morell look ahead to Archicon, where AI will run as a thread through the entire conference, revealing the AI speaker joining Archicon — Stjepan Mikulić, founder of AI in AEC and one of Architizer's leading AI experts, who helped a 250-person interior design firm save $4.5M through his nine-step AI implementation roadmap.

Key Takeaways:

• Firm leaders care about business impact, not just tools
• Large firms use AI for operations; mid-sized for BIM; smaller firms for generative design
• Experience helps architects use AI with better judgment.
• AI should support professional expertise, not replace it

Timestamps

00:00 – Episode snippet

00:31 – Welcome to Archicon Uncut

01:24 – Nikita introduces her new agency, Dirt

02:12 – Aya launches the Aya Alliance community

03:34 – Why Archicon will remain an in-person conference

04:33 – The real AI question firm leaders are asking

05:25 – AI is a business strategy, not just a tool

06:20 – Global research on how firms are adopting AI

08:19 – Experience vs AI slop: why seasoned architects have an edge

12:24 – Archicon speaker: Stefan Mikuli

16:16 – The global vision behind Archicon

17:30 – Join the waitlist: https://www.Archicon2026.com/#waitlist

18:15 – VIP dinner and upcoming registration details

About the Hosts:

Aya Shlachter is the Founder and CEO of MGS Global Group, an architectural support services firm serving hundreds of architecture practices worldwide. With over 18 years of industry experience, she helps firm owners scale smarter, adopt emerging technologies, and build resilient, future-ready practices.

Aya also hosts the AI for Architects and Architect My Business podcasts and is the co-founder of Archicon 2026, a global architecture business conference. She was named a 2025 Global FWN100™ Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World in the Founder and Pioneer category for her leadership in business and AI.

Connect with Aya Shlachter:

Email: aya@mgsglobalgroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aya_shlachter/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayashlachter/

Nikita Morell is a messaging strategist specialising in the architecture and construction industry. For over a decade, she's helped architecture firms (from all around the world) put their value into words so they can get a steady stream of ridiculously good projects. Nikita has spoken for AIA, RIBA, Architizer, and Business of Architecture and is known for her slightly provocative LinkedIn posts and newsletters that architects describe as "scary good".

She's also the co-founder of Archicon, the only unboring business conference built specifically for architects who want to run better businesses, and the founder of DIRT, a brand messaging agency helping construction, ConTech and building product companies say something more interesting than "innovative solutions."

Connect with Nikita Morell:

Email: hello@nikitamorell.com

Newsletter: www.nikitamorell.com/newsletter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-morell/

What if the most important thing missing from architecture conferences is not better speakers, but a space where people can finally admit what is not working?

In this episode of Archicon Uncut, Aya Shlachter and Nikita Morrell share the thinking behind ArchiCon and why it is intentionally different from a typical industry event. From opening with a comedian to creating space for real discussions about burnout, business pressure, and mistakes, they explore how psychological safety leads to practical change.

They dive into what architects are asking for right now: building firms that do not rely entirely on the founder, clarifying business development, positioning with intention, and understanding how AI is reshaping practice.

If you are done with inspiration that fades by Monday, this episode unpacks a conference designed to create lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

• Laughter helps people speak honestly about real business problems.

• The conference is built to be worth coming back to.

• Architects want practical topics: founder independence, business development, and AI.

• Messaging must attract the right clients and filter out the wrong ones.

• Growth requires stepping out of production and building systems.

• Time is more valuable than money, and the business should protect it.

Timestamps

00:00 – Episode snippet

00:23 – Welcome to ArchiCon Uncut

03:02 – Setting the tone with laughter

05:08 – Building a conference worth coming back to

07:36 – Topics that drive real action in your firm

09:25 – Burnout, joy, and work satisfaction

10:29 – Big partners, growing waitlist, limited seats

12:41 – ArchiCon after hours and exploring Melbourne

15:09 – The biggest messaging mistake architects make

16:21 – Stand out and stand for something

17:50 – How stepping out of production unlocked growth

19:23 – The real reason to escape founder dependence

21:01 – Why the waitlist emails are part of the fun

23:29 – Final call to join the waitlist: https://www.archicon2026.com/#waitlist

About the Host:

Aya Shlachter is the Founder and CEO of MGS Global Group, an architectural support services firm serving hundreds of architecture practices worldwide. With over 18 years of industry experience, she helps firm owners scale smarter, adopt emerging technologies, and build resilient, future-ready practices. Aya also hosts the AI for Architects and Architect My Business podcasts and is the co-founder of ArchiCon 2026, a global architecture business conference. She was named a 2025 Global FWN100™ Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World in the Founder and Pioneer category for her leadership in business and AI.

Nikita Morell is a positioning and messaging strategist who works exclusively with architects. She is the only copywriter in the world who writes solely for architecture firms, helping them clarify their message, strengthen their brand, and win right-fit work. She has spoken for AIA, RIBA, Architizer, and Business of Architecture, and publishes one of the most-read newsletters in the architecture business space.

Connect with Aya Shlachter:

Email: aya@mgsglobalgroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aya_shlachter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayashlachter

Connect with Nikita Morell:

Email: hello@nikitamorell.com

Website: https://nikitamorell.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-morell

Why do so many architecture conferences feel inspiring in the moment but lead to no real change afterward?

Firm owners attend sessions, take notes, earn credits, and leave motivated, only to return to the same challenges the next week. Most events focus on ideas instead of practical business skills, and inspiration alone does not help firms grow.

In this episode of ArchiCon Uncut, Aya Schlachter and Nikita Morrell share what they are learning as they build ArchiCon in real time, guided by feedback from a fast-growing waitlist of architects and firm owners. They explain the top topics architects asked for most, including business development and marketing, AI and emerging technology, and firm strategy, systems, and processes.

The episode explains why business development and marketing are often confused, why referrals are risky, and why architects need business skills beyond design school. Aya and Nikita also discuss why interest in AI is growing and why it should be part of a firm's overall strategy. They also share what makes conference learning effective, focusing on clear takeaways, real stories, and formats that drive action, accountability, and results.

If you want to understand what architects are asking for right now, what is missing from traditional architecture conferences, and how ArchiCon is being built to deliver practical learning firm owners can use immediately, this episode explains it clearly.

Key Takeaways

• Architects want learning they can apply right away

• Business development and marketing are different and both matter

• Referrals alone are not a reliable growth strategy

• AI should support firm strategy, systems, and profitability

• Smaller, focused lessons lead to better action

• Stories and real experiences are more memorable than slides

• Conferences should create accountability, not just motivation

Timestamps

00:00 – Episode snippet

00:17 – Welcome to ArchiCon Uncut

00:37 – What the waitlist data reveals

01:05 – Marketing vs business development explained

03:32 – AI is part of firm strategy

05:00 – A globally recognized AI speaker joins ArchiCon

07:27 – Learning styles that lead to action

08:45 – Why stories and mistakes stick

10:03 – The role of accountability

12:35 – How to join the waitlist: https://www.archicon2026.com/#waitlist

About the Host:

Aya Shlachter is the CEO and Founder of MGS Global Group and the creator of the Architect My Life Community and Podcast. With degrees from Columbia University and NJIT, plus advanced studies at Harvard, she helps architects and designers grow their businesses while living more fulfilling lives. Outside of work, Aya is a wife, mom of two, world traveler, and recreational triathlete.

Nikita Morell is a positioning and messaging strategist who works exclusively with architects. She is the only copywriter in the world who writes solely for architecture firms, helping them clarify their message, strengthen their brand, and win right-fit work. She has spoken for AIA, RIBA, Architizer, and Business of Architecture, and publishes one of the most-read newsletters in the architecture business space.

Connect with Aya Shlachter:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aya.shlachter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aya_shlachter/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayashlachter/

Connect with Nikita Morell:

Email: hello@nikitamorell.com

Website: https://nikitamorell.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-morell/