Themes

Theme 1: The Intelligent Enterprise

This theme explores how organisations are embedding intelligence into decision-making, operations, and strategy.

Suggested Sub-Topics:

  • AI in construction decision-making (planning, cost, risk, scheduling)

  • From data to insight: building data-driven organisations

  • Digital twins as a decision-support tool

  • Predictive analytics in project delivery and asset management

  • AI governance, ethics, and responsible adoption

  • Leadership in the age of AI: culture, change, and trust

  • Integrating AI into existing business processes

  • Data strategies: ownership, interoperability, and value creation

  • Real-world case studies of AI deployment in construction

  • Measuring ROI and business value from AI investments

  • Cybersecurity and data protection in connected construction

  • Intelligent asset management and lifecycle optimisation

Theme 2: Connected Disciplines

This theme focuses on integration across disciplines, organisations, and project phases.

Suggested Sub-Topics:

  • Integrated project delivery (IPD) and collaborative contracting models

  • BIM maturity and next-generation collaboration workflows

  •  Interoperability between platforms, tools, and stakeholders

  • Digital integration across design, construction, and operations

  • Aligning architecture, engineering, construction, and FM

  • Data sharing across supply chains: challenges and solutions

  • Role of standards (ISO 19650, open data frameworks, etc.)

  • Multi-disciplinary coordination using digital platforms

  • Client-led integration: the role of public and private clients

  • Breaking organisational silos: lessons from industry case studies

  • Connecting sustainability, design, and delivery teams

  • Integration of infrastructure and building systems

Theme 3: New Ways of Building

This theme explores how construction methods are evolving through industrialisation and technology.

Suggested Sub-Topics:

  •  Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) adoption strategies

  •  Productisation in construction: from projects to products

  • Platform-based approaches to housing and infrastructure

  • Automation in construction processes (on-site and off-site)

  •  Robotics in manufacturing, assembly, and inspection

  • 3D printing and advanced manufacturing techniques

  • Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)

  •  Offsite construction: scaling, quality, and productivity

  • Supply chain transformation for MMC delivery

  • Integration of digital design and manufacturing systems

  • Case studies of MMC delivery in Ireland and internationally

  • Lean construction and process optimisation

  • Barriers to adoption: commercial, regulatory, cultural

Theme 4: People & Skills for a Changing Industry

This theme addresses how the industry is evolving from a people and skills perspective.

Suggested Sub-Topics:

  • Emerging roles in AI, data, and digital construction

  • Upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce

  • Attracting new talent into construction (future careers)

  • SME capability development (Skillnet MMC Accelerate alignment)

  • Leadership development for digital transformation

  • Bridging the gap between academia and industry

  • Digital literacy across the supply chain

  • Workforce planning for MMC and industrialised construction

  • Diversity and inclusion in a changing industry

  • Learning models: micro-credentials, CPD, and lifelong learning

  • Organisational change and workforce adoption of technology

  • Collaboration between education providers and industry

  • Case studies of successful training and upskilling initiatives