As 2024 draws to a dramatic close, I ask experts for their key takeaways from the year and how business leaders can enter the new year armed with the right technology and tools to drive innovation and resilience in the AEC sector.
Robin Patra, Director Data, Analytics and AI at ARCO Constructions, on his key AEC tech lessons from 2024 to drive innovation and resilience in 2025
The rapid evolution of technology has reshaped the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, providing leaders with transformative tools to tackle challenges head-on. As we step into 2025, here are the critical tech lessons from 2024 that will drive innovation and resilience:
1. Harnessing the power of AI and Machine Learning: AI and Machine Learning have transcended traditional boundaries, enabling smarter decision-making and automation. Generative design tools powered by AI have revolutionised creativity, optimising designs for both functionality and sustainability. Leaders in 2025 must integrate AI across the project lifecycle, from early design phases to predictive maintenance, to maximise efficiency and minimise risks.
2. Accelerating Digital Transformation: Digital maturity has been a hallmark of resilient AEC firms. The adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), cloud collaboration platforms and advanced data analytics has streamlined project workflows. Moving forward, leaders should focus on further integrating these technologies to enable real-time decision-making and enhance collaboration across geographically dispersed teams.
3. Leveraging Augmented and Virtual Reality: AR and VR are no longer emerging technologies but essential tools in the AEC industry. These technologies enhance stakeholder engagement through immersive client presentations and provide on-site teams with real-time visualisation. Leaders should expand the use of AR for on-site inspections and VR for training programmes to enhance safety and project comprehension.
4. Committing to sustainability: The urgency of climate change has made sustainability a non-negotiable priority. Advanced simulation tools allow for precise energy modelling, while AI-driven material analysis reduces environmental impact. In 2025, leaders must invest in green technologies and design methodologies that prioritise energy efficiency and circular construction practices.
5. Embracing modular and off-site construction: Modular construction gained significant traction in 2024, proving its value in reducing timelines and improving quality. Digital twins will play a pivotal role in optimising modular designs, ensuring seamless integration between off-site fabrication and on-site assembly. Leaders must refine these processes to meet rising demand while maintaining flexibility and quality.
6. Fostering a culture of continuous learning: With technological advancements accelerating, upskilling is critical. Leaders must prioritise comprehensive training programmes that address emerging technologies, from robotics to AI-driven project management tools. Building a workforce adept in cutting-edge technologies will ensure organisational resilience.
7. Strengthening cybersecurity: As digital integration grows, so do cyber-risks. In 2025, safeguarding sensitive project data through robust cybersecurity frameworks and regular training will be essential.
By embracing these lessons, AEC leaders can position their organisations as pioneers of innovation, prepared to navigate future challenges with agility and resilience.
Paul DeMott, Chief Technology Officer at Helium SEO
With years of experience at the intersection of technology and strategy, I focus on creating solutions that drive measurable results. Working with a diverse range of industries, I have seen how adapting technology thoughtfully can transform resilience and foster innovation, particularly in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector.
Reflecting on 2024, one of the most important lessons for AEC leaders is the value of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into workflows, not as a replacement for human ingenuity but as a complement to it. AI-enabled tools have significantly streamlined project management, resource allocation and predictive maintenance, giving teams more control over complex operations. Moving into 2025, leaders should embrace AI to forecast potential challenges early, allowing teams to act proactively rather than reactively. The key is selecting tools that enhance collaboration and integrating them into everyday processes rather than treating them as occasional add-ons.
Another takeaway from 2024 is the growing importance of Digital Twins in AEC projects. These digital replicas of physical assets allow teams to simulate and analyse project performance in real-time, reducing risks and saving costs. Leaders in 2025 should focus on embedding Digital Twin technology not only for large-scale projects but also in mid-sized developments. As this technology becomes more accessible, scaling its use can help businesses remain competitive while enhancing resilience.
Leaders must also prioritise cybersecurity as a foundation for innovation. The interconnected nature of modern AEC tech platforms, while transformative, increases vulnerability to cyberthreats. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures, from endpoint protection to employee training, is non-negotiable as we move forward. Innovation cannot thrive in an environment of uncertainty, and a proactive approach to security ensures that the trust placed in digital tools remains intact.
Scott Reynolds, CEO and Co-founder of UpCodes
As the AIA Billings Index reports 19 consecutive months of declining billings, AEC leaders will have to embrace new strategies and technologies to drive efficiency. To improve resilience in a softer market, firms should focus on capturing institutional knowledge and accelerating workflows with AI.
Capturing institutional knowledge
As AI advances, documenting processes and capturing internal know-how will become even more important. In the not-too-distant future, companies will be able to train large language models to leverage historical projects, discussions and decision points when starting new projects. Firms won’t have to reinvent the wheel when starting a new project; they will be able to leverage insights the firm has had across studios, departments and offices.
This internal tooling could also help level up junior staff. Imagine employees having decades of institutional knowledge at their fingertips. New hires will be able to onboard faster and the firm will see immediate productivity gains. More experienced individuals will be able to jump into a new project type or jurisdiction without the historical hurdle of manually relearning each component.
Companies that have adopted digital-first technologies will have a competitive advantage as AI continues to advance. They will be able to harness the AI progress as a tailwind to accelerate their business. Documenting organisational knowledge now will pay dividends in the future.
Accelerating code research with AI
Code compliance is a time-consuming part of the project lifecycle. Platforms such as UpCodes leverage AI to accelerate code research.
Trained on over 6 million code sections and over 200,000 local amendments, UpCodes’ code research assistant answers project-specific questions in seconds. It also cites its sources and references so AEC professionals can dive into the relevant sections and enrich their compliance understanding faster.
By streamlining code research with AI tools, AEC professionals can spend less time finding, understanding and applying the code. This comes at a time when firms are expected to deliver projects faster and more efficiently. With the right tools, AEC professionals can save hours on compliance research and reinvest that time back into other parts of the project.