Welcome to the first edition of Digital Construction Today. There’s a new look and a new scope for our digital publication, reflecting the fact that the digital transformation of our industry is now much broader and deeper than simply Building Information Modelling
BIM, of course, still has a big role to play, but as part of an interconnected ecosystem encompassing digital twins, IoT, robotics and, increasingly, AI. All of these and more will be explored in Digital Construction Today’s September 2025 edition.
There is no doubt AI presents huge opportunities to improve productivity, safety and efficiency in construction but, in our cover story, John Priestland, chairman of the Technology Working Group of the Get It Right Initiative, cautions that the technology also brings with it new challenges – and potential dangers – that must be kept in check.
Meanwhile, Robyn Francis of the Smart Cities Council examines the role of “systems thinking” in transforming infrastructure delivery, calling for honest debate and collaboration to unlock the potential of AI, data and true partnership.
Elsewhere, Audrey Lynch, director of research at BuiltWorlds, discusses the findings of its 2025 Equipment & Robotics Benchmarking Report, looking at industry sentiment, use cases and implementation of robotics.
Retha Swanepoel, head of the BIM & Design Systems team at award-winning international architectural practice Foster + Partners, sits down with Women in BIM to discuss her career highlights and the outlook for women in the construction tech sector.
With the UK government recently unveiling its 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, Lydia Walpole, global senior director of performance at Bentley Systems, makes the case for innovations like AI and digital twins in delivering more sustainable infrastructure projects that better serve communities in the long term.
There’s much more besides.
Here’s a selection of what’s in this first edition of Digital Construction Today:
1. AI in construction: Proceed with care
AI has the potential to tackle construction errors that currently cost the economy billions each year – but brings new risks unless its use is kept in check, writes John Priestland, chairman of the Technology Working Group of the Get It Right Initiative.
2. Data, AI and partnerships: Rethinking infrastructure performance in the built environment
Systems thinking offers a genuine catalyst for infrastructure performance transformation – but powering it up requires honest debate and collaboration across old barriers, writes Robyn Francis of the Smart Cities Council.
3. Construction robotics: Sentiments rise, use cases diversify and implementation wavers
BuiltWorlds’ 2025 Equipment & Robotics Benchmarking Report finds construction professionals are more approving of their companies’ efforts towards robotic innovation efforts.
4. Insights into the future of BIM and digital delivery with Retha Swanepoel
Retha Swanepoel, head of the BIM & Design Systems team and partner at Foster + Partners, discusses her career highlights and predictions for the future of BIM with Women in BIM.
5. Can AI really transform infrastructure?
AI and innovations like digital twins can play a key role in realising the UK’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, setting an example of how to build projects faster, more sustainably and better able to serve communities over the long term, writes Lydia Walpole, global senior director of performance at Bentley Systems.
6. How digital construction can help solve the UK’s skills shortage
The UK construction sector faces a difficult future as it tries to deal with significant skills shortages that threaten to impede growth and sustainability. However, it is also simultaneously undergoing a digital transformation, presenting a unique opportunity to attract younger talent, writes Ryan Donoghue of AJ Digital.
7. Housebuilders believe in importance of digital technology for future plans
Trimble, the global technology company, recently conducted a survey into the housing industry’s relationship with, and adoption of, digital technology. The results of this research found that most respondents believe technology is key to future plans but revealed obstacles standing in the way of true adoption across businesses. Ben Wallbank, digital construction and partnership manager at Trimble, breaks down some of the key survey findings.
8. The new KPI in scheduling: Building schedule certainty before day one
Building in schedule certainty from the earliest stages of a project attacks risk and cements control – the ultimate competitive advantage, writes David Hernandez, managing director of Elecosoft North America.
9. How AI can help fix construction
Construction is under pressure from thin margins and an overworked, undersupplied workforce. AI can help to make the industry smarter, safer and stronger – but technological adoption must be accompanied by cultural change, writes Hari Vasudevan, founder and CEO of KYRO AI.
10. Digital Construction North returns for its second year
The countdown’s on for Digital Construction North, which returns to Manchester Central on 19 November.
