Technology?

New technology is frequently said to be the game-changer firms need to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive sector. However, cost concerns and an aversion to technology has meant that many construction companies have only taken incremental stems into integrating technology into their thinking and workflows. The panel will explore what new technology could potentially bring to the table in term of design and delivery in the current period, and the potential challenges of pulling off such a transition during these challenging times.

Talking points:

• Will the outbreak of COVID-19 and new safety regulations push construction companies to adopt existing or emerging tech tools to keep projects on track? Is this the driver that will challenge traditional mindsets?
• What efficiency and cost benefits can fully digitising collaboration and workflows bring to construction projects in terms of a project’s design and delivery process?
• What are the challenges to adopting new technology and solutions in the current climate, how can these issues be addressed?
• Is 3D printing, offsite fabrication and modular construction the answer to keeping projects on track from a delivery standpoint or are these merely a stop-gap solution to something else? What are the challenges with these existing solutions?
• What emerging technology has the potential to have the broadest impact on the construction industry and projects across the GCC?

Confirmed Panellists:

Stephan Degenhart, Associate Partner of Drees & Sommer and MD of Middle East
Naji Atallah, Head of Construction and Manufacturing, Autodesk
Bahaa Ibrahim, General Manager – Technical, Hard Precast Building Systems

Moderator: Craig Garrett, Digital Advancement Academy Manager, Bentley Systems