Welcome to Digital Construction Today’s December 2025 edition, in which our expert authors explore the key issues and latest trends in the built environment, from AI to 4D modelling and Big Data
The government has set out its vision to make the UK an “AI maker, not an AI taker” in a bid to boost economic growth and improve public services.
Our cover story looks at a recent roundtable hosted by the Connected Places Catapult at the House of Lords that explored how to realise the ambition of making the UK a leader in AI innovation, from regulations, government strategy and funding to workforce readiness and the technical and legal foundations for data infrastructure.
The exponential growth of AI is fuelling huge demand for data centre capacity, which makes speed to market critical for developers and operators. Leon Wright of Turner & Townsend discusses new research that highlights how the rush to construction is raising the alarm over the supply chain’s ability to cope.
Preparing for rapidly advancing construction AI tools is no longer just about organising your spreadsheets. It’s about capturing the full story of your project, writes Daniel Hewson, data capability manager for Elecosoft.
But while artificial intelligence can play a vital role in construction, it cannot replace strong planning and human expertise, argues Nick Gray of Currie & Brown.
There is much more besides. Here’s a selection of what’s in store in DC Today December 2025:
1. Accelerating the UK’s AI readiness
In October, the Connected Places Catapult hosted a roundtable event at the House of Lords, chaired by Lord Timothy Clement-Jones CBE, to discuss how the UK can realise its ambitions to be a world leader in AI innovation.
2. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust creates smart estate with digital twin
Indoor mapping is playing a central role in the modernisation of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s estates and facilities department by providing situational awareness of the entire site. Making RAAC and asbestos management more efficient and optimising the use of existing buildings are the first of many benefits.
3. Why digital modelling must start at the policy stage
If governments do not model before they promise major infrastructure projects, they risk promising what they can never deliver, warns Dan Ashton of Proicere Digital.
4. How digital tools can help social landlords meet Awaab’s Law
The recently introduced Awaab’s Law outlines new statutory time limits for how quickly social housing landlords must investigate and repair damp and mould. Here, Ben Wallbank, digital strategy and partnerships manager EMEA at Trimble, explains why the compliance challenge is as much about data as it is about maintenance and how digital technology can help housing providers stay ahead.
5. AI prep, part II: Why construction firms must start capturing “all the other stuff”
Preparing for rapidly advancing construction AI tools is no longer just about organising your spreadsheets. It’s about capturing the full story of your project, writes Daniel Hewson, data capability manager for Elecosoft.
6. Collaboration, teamwork and 4D model construction
Major construction projects are getting harder to deliver. Programmes are more compressed, scopes are larger and more complex, the risk profile is harsher and clients expect fewer surprises. In that reality, how teams plan and work together becomes decisive, writes James Bowles.
7. AI alone won’t build construction resilience
Artificial intelligence can play a vital role in construction but it cannot replace strong planning and human expertise, writes Nick Gray, chief operating officer for the UK and Europe at Currie & Brown.
8. How machine learning is helping architects design more sustainable cities
Emerging technologies like visualisation and rendering software powered by AI and machine learning enable architects to assess sustainability early in the design process, writes Dan Ring of Chaos.
9. The all-seeing eye: Big Data’s strategic edge in UK T&D projects
Big Data analysis enables project teams to move from reactive problem-solving toward proactive risk prevention, writes Shubham Kadam of Burns & McDonnell.
10. Construction industry outlook 2026: The trends shaping how contractors build, budget and deliver
Shanthi Rajan, CEO of Linarc, assesses the construction technology landscape as we head into the new year.
