At the Construction Technology ConFex in May 2025, a panel of industry leaders addressed a hard truth in the built environment: While the construction sector has embraced digital tools in principle, it still struggles to fully integrate them into everyday practice.
Moderated by Juan Tena of KEO International Consultants, the session featured digital leaders from across the construction value chain, developers, contractors, CIOs, and tech providers, who pulled no punches in identifying what’s holding the industry back, and what it takes to move forward.
Adoption vs. Absorption: The Real Digital Divide
Many companies are investing in tools like BIM, ERP systems, or data dashboards, but few embed them deeply enough to drive real change. BIM might be used for clash detection, for instance, but not connected to supply chains or project scheduling. This creates a fragmented digital environment where technology exists, but doesn’t truly transform workflows.
Culture Is a barrier, but structure keeps it there
Panelists consistently pointed to legacy culture as the biggest hurdle. Words like “mindset,” “trust,” and “people” surfaced again and again. But culture doesn’t operate in a vacuum.
The panel emphasized that structural issues like outdated contracts, rigid KPIs, and disconnected incentives often reinforce traditional behaviors that resist digital change.
What’s working: Strategies that drive real change
Despite the challenges, the panel also spotlighted success stories where companies have pushed beyond surface-level adoption:
- ROSHN launched an AI Assistant that delivers real-time insights to executives and employees, with IoT integration enabling smarter community management.
- ARADA built the Arada Insights platform to democratize access to project dashboards across departments, empowering data-driven decisions at every level.
- Al Bawani merged site-level feedback with digital procurement tools, which led to streamlined operations and even new revenue models—like setting up their own cement supply chain.
These aren’t just isolated innovations, they represent a mindset shift in how technology is positioned within the organization.
The Next Frontier: Bold, Tech-First Thinking
Lee Miles from Procore closed the discussion with a sobering reminder:
“We’re not technology companies that build, we’re still construction companies using a bit of tech.”
But this, he warned, is no longer enough. Across industries, those who lead with a technology-first mindset are the ones driving disruption. Construction won’t be the exception for long.
Companies that reimagine themselves as technology-powered builders, not just adopters, will gain the edge. Not because of the tools themselves, but because they’ve transformed how they think, operate, and compete.
Ready to Lead the Shift?
If you’re still debating whether digital tools are the right fit, you might be asking the wrong question. The real challenge is whether your people, systems, and leadership are prepared to unlock their full potential.
Watch the full panel discussion to hear directly from the leaders reshaping construction from the inside out.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY CONFEX KSA 2025
The panel’s insights at the May 2025 edition of Construction Technology ConFex are just the beginning. This momentum carries forward to Construction Technology Confex KSA 2025, where over 1,000 industry leaders will gather to explore what’s next for the Kingdom’s built environment.
From smart materials and IoT to digital twin adoption and AI-driven platforms, the KSA edition will dive deeper into the technologies and strategies driving real change, across both private and public sector developments.
Want to see what’s next for construction in KSA? Find out more.
