The AI Advantage for Irish AEC Businesses

As the dates associated with Ireland's public-sector BIM adoption timeline pass, this brings new expectations, processes and information requirements for firms across the construction value chain. While meeting these requirements will involve additional effort, the resulting digital workflows and structured data can also create a valuable platform for AI. This opening webinar explores how construction businesses can move beyond viewing BIM purely as a compliance exercise and begin using AI to improve efficiency, decision-making and competitive advantage.

The BIM mandate is increasing the volume and complexity of information and documentation across the construction value chain, including information managed through the BIM Common Data Environment (CDE). This practical session explores how AI and information-management technologies could help firms work more efficiently with BIM-related documentation, project communications and tender submissions. John Kelly will be joined by two guest speakers: a data privacy expert, who will discuss important considerations around confidentiality, privacy and responsible AI use, and a representative from Egnyte, who will explore the role of their platform in AEC and how a CDE can provide the foundation for future AI-powered capabilities.

Construction firms are investing in richer, more structured BIM models, but much of the resulting information remains difficult for non-specialists to access and use. This session explores how AI can help teams ask plain-language questions of model data, extract and verify quantities, assess information quality and connect BIM outputs to dashboards and business intelligence. A live technology demonstration will show how firms can turn mandated digital deliverables into more useful operational and commercial information.

This final webinar in the series looks at three practical areas where AI can support Irish AEC businesses. First, we explore how AI-assisted scope analysis and tender review can help firms bid more effectively on public-sector opportunities through eTenders. Second, we examine how AI can support project delivery, including schedule management, programme development and keeping professional judgement at the centre of the process. Finally, we look ahead to the capabilities AI is likely to enable for the Irish AEC sector in the near future, and outline relevant digitalisation and training supports that can reduce the cost of taking the next practical step.