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At Procore Groundbreak, one topic continued to pop up in conversation: the rise of agentic AI—proactive “agents” that perform tasks for humans—versus generative AI, which reacts to prompts to create ideas or content. Procore even launched its AI agent marketplace, Procore Helix, signaling a significant shift in how technology will support construction workflows.
So what’s the difference, and where does Hexagon fit in? We sat down with Valerie Ashe, Senior Account Executive at Hexagon, who attended Groundbreak, to discuss. Here’s her take.
Generative AI: The foundation we know
Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, respond to prompts and generate ideas, plans, or content. Valerie explains: “Generative AI helps when you give it a problem. It spits out suggestions like a conversation. It’s great for planning and brainstorming.”
In construction, this means faster reporting, smarter analysis, and less manual work. Hexagon already uses generative AI to deliver services like deviation analysis and reality capture reporting. These tools compare visual data to models, flag discrepancies, and accelerate timelines—tasks that once took weeks now happen in hours.
Agentic AI: The next evolution
Agentic AI takes things further. Instead of waiting for prompts, these agents act proactively, automating repetitive tasks like schedule updates or model checks. Valerie compares it to your smartphone: “Generative AI is like your iPhone; Agentic AI is like the apps—specific tools for specific tasks.”
Procore’s Helix marketplace is a prime example, offering AI agents for scheduling, cost control, and more. While Hexagon hasn’t fully entered the agentic space yet, the potential is clear—especially for accelerating mission-critical projects, where speed and precision matter most.
Agentic vs. Generative AI: Why this matters for Hexagon customers
Hexagon’s current strength lies in generative AI-powered services that combine automation with human oversight. Looking ahead, integrating agentic AI with robotics could help deliver analysis even faster, keeping pace with owners who expect projects in months, not years.
“Accelerating the speed at which we deliver our analysis will be critical for us in our future because it’s critical for our customers,” Valerie said.
Still, despite the hype, Valerie stresses that human-in-the-loop remains essential: “We’re still a long way off from removing human oversight. These are mission-critical projects—you can’t afford mistakes.”
In other words, AI amplifies human capability, but quality checks and expert judgment are non-negotiable. Agentic AI might be the next step in making construction smarter and faster. But, for now, Hexagon is focused on generative AI to deliver accurate, actionable insights.
As the industry evolves, expect more innovation at the intersection of AI, robotics, and human expertise.
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