{"id":164775,"date":"2026-08-17T14:44:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T13:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=164775"},"modified":"2026-08-17T14:47:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T13:47:00","slug":"step-into-future-construction-at-ukcw-birmingham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/digital-construction-news\/step-into-future-construction-at-ukcw-birmingham\/164775\/","title":{"rendered":"Step into the future of construction at UKCW Birmingham"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ahead of its return to the NEC this September, UKCW Birmingham<\/a> is putting digital transformation centre stage as part of The Construction Reset, highlighting how AI, automation, digital twins, robotics and data-driven technologies can improve productivity and safety, cut carbon and transform how we design, build and operate<\/h2>\n

Acting as a rallying call for a new era of construction, this year\u2019s event (29 September – 1 October) is structured around three key pillars \u2013 Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly.<\/p>\n

The programme is designed to encourage fresh thinking, showcase innovation and support the industry\u2019s drive towards a more productive, sustainable future.<\/p>\n

Digitalisation & AI<\/h3>\n

Visitors can explore the Digitalisation & AI section where the industry\u2019s brightest minds and most forward-thinking technologies come together in one space to demonstrate the solutions that are delivering real-world impact.<\/p>\n

Through live demonstrations, expert-led discussions and hands-on opportunities, explore the tech that will define tomorrow\u2019s construction landscape.<\/p>\n

Exhibitors include Unimo AI, XMP, Platned, Transcontinenta UK, Ideagen, Proactive Risk Control, PlanRadar, Stam S.r.l, Unipro, Volopa, Xpedeon, Houzz UK and Ywork.ai.<\/p>\n

Futurebuild Innovation Showcase<\/h3>\n

New for 2026, the Futurebuild Innovation Showcase will bring together 50 curated exhibitors introducing the most innovative products, technologies and solutions transforming the built environment.<\/p>\n

Designed to connect the industry\u2019s most exciting innovations with the people actively searching for what\u2019s next, it will provide a dedicated platform for discovery, collaboration and inspiration at the heart of the show.<\/p>\n

Visitors can also gain insights from industry experts at the Digitalisation & AI Stage sponsored by Zutec, where a packed programme of presentations, panel discussions and case studies will explore the latest trends, technologies and real-world applications driving digital transformation in construction. The schedule of talks includes:<\/p>\n

Tuesday, 29 September, 10.30am – The Missing Data Problem: Unlocking digital whole life <\/strong>for net zero<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why do construction projects still struggle to access the sustainability data needed for
\nnet zero? Discover the root causes of disconnected information, learn how digital whole life thinking can bridge the gaps and explore practical steps to improve data quality, collaboration and whole life performance in this Women in BIM panel session.<\/p>\n

Moderator: Hadeel Saadoon, digital construction technical lead, Connected Places Catapult<\/p>\n

Tuesday, 29 September, 3.30pm – Innovation: How to use technology to transform sustainable design<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most critical sustainability decisions are made at concept stage, yet the industry still
\nrelies on analysis and compliance checks that arrive too late to meaningfully shape those early decisions.<\/p>\n

This session explores the shift from compliance-led design to real-time design data intelligence, showing how architects and engineers can make better-informed decisions as they design, rather than waiting days or weeks for reports.<\/p>\n

Speaker: Doug Johnson, co-founder, Mesh<\/p>\n

Wednesday, 30 September, 1.30pm – Building in the metaverse: Laing O\u2019Rourke\u2019s view on what\u2019s next<\/strong><\/p>\n

The construction industry is starting to ask what the metaverse actually means beyond the buzzword. In this session, Rob Claridge from Laing O\u2019Rourke shares a grounded, practitioner\u2019s view on where immersive and virtual technologies are heading: From digital twins and virtual collaboration to how construction teams might design, plan, and build in shared digital environments. Expect a candid look at what\u2019s genuinely useful today, what\u2019s still hype, and what Tier 1 contractors need to watch for next.<\/p>\n

Speaker: Robert Claridge, learning solutions owner, Laing O\u2019Rourke<\/p>\n

Wednesday, 30 September, 2.30pm – The next wave of AI in construction: What leaders need to know now<\/strong><\/p>\n

AI in construction has moved beyond early experimentation and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing. Andrew Johnson from Okana returns to the AI stage to look ahead at what\u2019s coming next: the emerging tools and capabilities set to reshape design, delivery and decision-making, and what leaders need to understand now to stay ahead rather than play catch-up.<\/p>\n

Speaker: Andrew Johnson, director & founder, Okana<\/p>\n

Thursday, 1 October, 10.30am – Winning work with AI: Smarter project lead research for construction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finding the right projects at the right time is becoming a competitive advantage, and AI is transforming how manufacturers and contractors identify, qualify and act on opportunities.<\/p>\n

This practical session will demonstrate how AI can be used to research project pipelines,
\nanalyse planning applications, identify key decision-makers, track specification opportunities and prioritise leads based on project stage, sector and buying signals.<\/p>\n

Designed around real industry challenges, the session will answer questions from both
\nproduct manufacturers and contractors, providing practical techniques to reduce time spent researching opportunities and improve the quality of business development and sales activity.<\/p>\n

Speakers: Angie Wilkes (managing director, Construct Virtual), Faisal Amin (managing director, One Peak Partners), Leigh Simpson (founder & CEO, Insynth Marketing & Construct UK)<\/p>\n

UKCW Birmingham will also feature:<\/h3>\n