As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the practice of Building Energy Modeling (BEM), the role of the consultant is evolving just as quickly. Tasks that once required hours of manual model construction—from geometry generation to HVAC system assignment and parametric analysis—can increasingly be automated through AI-assisted workflows, scripting, and data-driven platforms. This shift raises a provocative question for the profession: if machines can build models faster and cheaper, what skills will define the value of the human BEM consultant?

This debate asks two teams of industry leaders to argue for or against the proposition that artificial intelligence is radically changing the skillset that building energy modeling professionals need to survive in the workplace. Proponents will argue that consultants must evolve from software operators into trusted advisors who can validate assumptions, interrogate outputs, manage risk, and ensure that increasingly automated analyses remain scientifically defensible and aligned with real-world building performance. Opponents will contend that deep technical modeling expertise remains foundational, and that without understanding how models are constructed, practitioners cannot effectively oversee or critique AI-generated results.