GHD and Autodesk deepen partnership to advance AI-enabled design

Sydney, Australia – 4 November 2026 - Global professional services company GHD, and design and make software leader Autodesk have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration on AI-enabled engineering and design.

The MoU seeks to deepen collaboration, bringing together GHD’s global industry expertise and Autodesk’s technology, insight and innovation capabilities. Together, GHD and Autodesk will explore opportunities across AI, trusted data, connected platforms, knowledge sharing and new approaches to project delivery.

“AI-enabled design is already reshaping the way our people work. When we evaluate options earlier and make more informed decisions, we can reduce rework and improve productivity for our clients, with humans still making the critical decisions. The MoU builds on our existing partnership and opens the door to further collaboration,” says Paul Murphy, CIO at GHD.

“AI is creating new opportunities for engineering and design teams, but unlocking its full potential requires trusted data and connected ways of working. Building on our 15-year partnership with GHD, we're bringing together our technology and industry expertise to explore practical ways to improve project delivery, help teams work more efficiently and achieve better outcomes for customers,” says Brett Casson, AEC Strategy Director at Autodesk.

GHD is putting AI to work at the earliest and most influential stage of the design process. The company has made Autodesk Forma Site Design available across its global operations, giving teams AI-enabled massing, environmental performance and optioneering capabilities. 

Jessica Carson and Isaac McCormack from the company’s architecture arm, GHD Design, presented at Autodesk University about incorporating predictive AI, cloud simulation and carbon analysis into early design workflows with Autodesk’s Forma Site Design, Building Design and Carbon Insights tools.

“This is an example where we can use technology to improve decision-making much earlier in the project lifecycle. Rather than assessing performance after major design decisions have been made, these tools allow design teams to test options in real time and understand the implications of choices relating to massing, carbon, site planning, and building performance,” McCormack says.

The MoU builds on a 15-year strategic partnership between GHD and Autodesk. The agreement embeds collaboration at all levels: from executives to individual project teams.

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.