IFS, the leading provider of Industrial AI software, today announced the next evolution of its IFS Loops agent platform: 10 Digital Workers with 50 agentic skills, and a near-term roadmap for 100 skills designed for mission-critical workflows in construction, energy & utilities, manufacturing, telecoms, aerospace & defence, and service industries. The IFS Loops agentic platform delivers templated Digital Workers that autonomously manage high-volume operational tasks, including field dispatch, supplier coordination, customer order manager, and inventory replenishment, across enterprise systems with real-time intelligence, audit-ready compliance, and domain-specific understanding. Unlike traditional automation, RPA, and Generative AI, IFS Loops Digital Workers manage complex workflows, make context-driven decisions, and continuously improve operational performance while working right alongside employees to reduce manual tasks and amplify their impact. Whether embedded in IFS Cloud or running alongside legacy systems, these digital workers provide immediate ROI and operational impact. Somya Kapoor, CEO of IFS Loops, commented: “The pace of operational change is faster than ever, with complexity growing faster than human teams or legacy systems can handle. Operations leaders and CIOs can’t wait for months of IT rollout to benefit from new capabilities. IFS Loops gives companies a digital workforce they can deploy today, orchestrating complex industrial workflows reliably, securely, and contextually, allowing skilled teams to focus on higher-value tasks. For many, this is their first step into agentic AI and a natural entry point into the broader IFS Cloud ecosystem.” Recognising the CIO urgency to plan now for 2026 and beyond, IFS is scaling its agentic AI capabilities with a roadmap of 50 additional agentic skills available in December 2025, ensuring that Digital Workers continue to evolve alongside operational complexity and emerging industrial challenges. IFS Loops Studio, coming Q1 2026, will enable customers to create their own digital workers as needs arise, with rapid workflow customisation. Highlights of IFS Loops today: Mickey North Rizza, Group Vice President, Enterprise Software, IDC, said: “Companies that deploy agentic AI today are positioning themselves ahead of competitors, turning Digital Workers into a differentiator that not only drives productivity but also enhances employee experience and operational agility.” To learn more about IFS Loops Digital Workers, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Procurement is the beating heart of construction. But for many UK organisations, it still runs on spreadsheets, siloed systems, and countless phone calls. And that inefficiency comes at a price. Research reported by PBC Today shows construction projects in the UK run, on average, 46 percent over budget, with procurement and supply chain inefficiencies playing a major role.  Meanwhile, a study commissioned by procurement software provider Ivalua found that UK procurement professionals spend nearly a third of their working hours on manual processes. A new wave of AI-powered digital tools, aligned with the principles of Procurement 5.0 (a term suggested by McKinsey), is starting to change this landscape. Intelligent document processing, demand forecasting, smart supplier evaluation, and real-time tracking are already helping teams work faster and with more certainty.  One of the most exciting developments is the use of optical character recognition (OCR) and large language models (LLMs) to “read” engineering drawings and blueprints, extracting specifications and pushing them directly into procurement workflows. Add AI agents that can manage orders, chase suppliers, and flag risks instantly, and the result is a smarter, leaner, more resilient supply chain.  The future of procurement in UK construction isn’t decades away — it’s happening now. Five Procurement Challenges Construction is Facing Today Before we look at how AI and Procurement 5.0 can transform your organisation, it’s worth taking stock of the obstacles that UK construction leaders are up against. 1. Fragmented supplier visibility. Many firms manage hundreds of suppliers with no single, consistent record of performance, compliance, or pricing. This can lead to duplication, missed opportunities, and a lack of leverage when negotiating. 2. Budget overruns. According to PBC Today, UK construction projects overshoot budgets by an average of 46 percent, with supply chain inefficiencies playing a major role. 3. Slow decision cycles. Procurement decisions can take weeks when project deadlines demand hours, largely because data is scattered across systems or trapped in paper documents. 4. Compliance pressures. New sustainability regulations and modern slavery legislation place additional reporting requirements on procurement teams, increasing admin workloads. 5. Manual processes. The Ivalua study found that procurement professionals spend around 31 percent of their time on repetitive, non-strategic tasks. That’s valuable labour that could be redirected towards supplier innovation and risk management. These challenges are more than operational headaches — they directly affect margins, project delivery, and a company’s ability to compete. Business Benefits of AI-powered Procurement Tools  For all the excitement about new technology, most construction leaders ultimately want to know one thing: will it deliver measurable returns? Early adopters of AI-powered procurement tools, in line with Procurement 5.0 thinking, are already seeing results that translate directly to the bottom line. Among them are: Shorter cycle times Research from McKinsey shows AI-enhanced procurement can reduce inventory by 20 to 30 percent, logistics costs by 5 to 20 percent, and procurement spend by 5 to 15 percent, meaning critical materials arrive sooner and projects avoid costly delays. Cost savings According to Accenture, organisations implementing AI in procurement typically reduce direct material costs by 5 to 10 percent, driven by better demand forecasting and supplier competition. Fewer compliance breaches Automated risk checks and document analysis have helped some UK firms cut contract compliance issues by over 25 percent, as reported in Supply Management magazine. Improved staff productivity – The Ivalua study found that automation can reclaim nearly a third of procurement professionals’ time, freeing them to focus on strategic supplier relationships. Efficiency and savings uplift – The Hackett Group finds AI-driven procurement outsourcing delivers a 23 percent average improvement in purchase cost savings and cost avoidance, and an 83 percent overall satisfaction rating for service experience and value. These aren’t abstract benefits. Real companies are already seeing results from their pilots and preparing for wider rollouts. The real question is whether your company will be among the pioneering adopters. 5 Key Steps to Implement AI-powered Procurement in Your Organisation For many business leaders in the construction sector, the main challenge isn’t understanding the value of AI but knowing how to start. The key is to approach AI-powered procurement implementation as a business transformation rather than a tech project. Step 1: Define clear objectives Identify the procurement process pain points you want to address first, such as reducing lead time, improving supplier risk assessment, or speeding up contract reviews. Step 2: Pilot with a valuable use case Start small, for example, by using OCR and LLMs to extract specifications from engineering drawings and feed them into your ordering system.AI consulting experts can help you scope, test, and refine your pilot so it aligns with your business goals. Step 3: Integrate with the existing system Ensure AI tools can be connected with your enterprise resource planning (ERP) or procurement management platforms, avoiding duplicate data entry. Step 4: Upskill your team Provide targeted training so staff can interpret the AI solution output, adjust forecasting, and manage AI agents effectively. Step 5: Measure the success and iterate Set measurable KPIs such as cycle time reduction or supplier performance improvements, track results, and scale the AI use once its value is proven. By treating AI as a business goals driver, rather than an innovative add-on, you create the conditions for sustained efficiency gains and competitive advantage for your organisation. Future Outlook: What’s Next for Construction Procurement? In the next few years we will see construction procurement move from reactive buying to proactive, data-led decision-making. Several trends are already taking shape: Trend 1: AI agents with multi-role capabilities Beyond order management, these systems will handle supplier onboarding, performance tracking, and early risk detection without human prompting. Trend 2: Integration of digital twins Connecting procurement platforms with project digital twins will allow teams to model material needs in real time, adjusting orders dynamically as designs or schedules change. Trend 3: Blockchain for contract transparency Distributed ledgers can record supplier agreements and transactions securely, reducing disputes and enabling faster verification of compliance. Trend 4: Sustainability metrics in procurement Environmental performance data will increasingly be built

Technology has already changed our lives many times, and it’s continuing to do so. From sustainability to personalized suggestions, from automated customer service to supply chain logistics, everything we do is easier thanks to someone who invented the right technology and its application. Many platforms are already experimenting with advanced personalization systems; if you want to check out the latest offers, click here to see more promotions related to online gaming, a sector that is experimenting a lot with technology, especially with AI.  Every industry’s usage of artificial intelligence There was a time when AI sounded like science fiction. Today, it’s embedded in everyday life. AI-powered tools assist doctors with diagnoses, detect anomalies in medical images, and even predict patient risk factors before symptoms appear, becoming precious in healthcare. The construction industry is heavily experimenting and embracing AI to anticipate hazards and streamline project workflows. AI is also accelerating design and creativity. In architecture, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) reports that usage of AI has surged from 41% in 2024 to 59% in 2025. With many people worrying about artificial intelligence robbing creatives of their jobs, the right application is a precious support. Scalable, connected and efficient with Cloud Computing There isn’t a single large business that doesn’t operate on cloud nowadays. From banking to entertainment, from remote education to retail and online shopping, everything happens on cloud computing. This means that companies don’t need their own data centers to process big data and maintain smooth operations. Maybe you don’t even know it, but every time you complete a task online without a lag or a problem, the cloud is involved. VR / AR: immersion meets practical application VR and AR are redefining forces in training, planning, and remote collaboration. AR helps construction companies and architects overlay their blueprints directly onto the real site, making changes easier and helping customers understand how their home will look like before it even exists. There are many examples of companies that use reality capture and 3D visualization tools, IoT integration, and AI to streamline operations—and their results point to improved productivity and reduced risk for workers. This isn’t just futuristic—it’s becoming best practice in many industries. Fashion, interior design, and even travelling are being changed forever. Other applications in key sectors of our everyday lives In education and continuous learning, AI understands every student’s needs and tailor a personalized learning journey, while VR transports students inside historical moments or complex simulations, turning theoretical information into hands-on experience. Retail and Marketing are also heavily influenced by these technologies. Every user receives a custom recommendation for their next purchase, and they can even try on clothes or see how the new sofa will look like in their living room through AR. Advanced technologies are revolutioning healthcare and medicine too. Beyond diagnostics, VR is being used to manage pain, train surgeons in immersive environments, and conduct remote therapy sessions under various simulated conditions. Finally, this progress is key in finance. Through the cloud users and companies are capable of secure, rapid data sharing, while AI detects fraudulent patterns in real-time. The future will be challenging, but we look forward Like many other technological innovations, AI, AR, VR and cloud computing pose amazing opportunities and challenging scenarios alike. Industries must invest in training teams to operate and manage these platforms effectively—not just adopt them. At the same time, institutions need to create clear and safe protocols for the companies’ and the users’ protection. But as seen in the increasing rate of AI adoption across architecture and construction, professionals are starting to lean into this change, not shy away from it.

NBS, powered by Hubexo, has launched its Digital Construction Survey, now in its 13th year, with a fresh focus on the technologies shaping the future of the industry. This year’s survey invites professionals across the built environment to share their insights on digital transformation and attitudes towards the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in construction. For over a decade, NBS has tracked the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other digital technologies through its industry-leading survey. The 2025 edition broadens its scope, offering a comprehensive view of digital transformation trends while providing the first in-depth look at AI’s emerging impact on design, specification, and construction practices. The survey is open to all professionals across the built environment, including designers, specifiers, manufacturers, contractors, and is the most extensive of its kind in the sector. The findings help shape industry understanding of current trends and inform the next steps in digital evolution. New this year are questions dedicated to AI adoption, exploring just how artificial intelligence is being used today and what its future potential might be. Dr Stephen Hamil Innovation Director at Hubexo (Global), said: “Digital transformation continues to reshape the construction industry at an accelerating pace. With BIM now firmly established in processes, we’re seeing new technologies like artificial intelligence begin to revolutionise how we design, specify, and build. This year’s survey will provide valuable benchmark data on AI adoption rates, implementation challenges, and emerging opportunities, helping the industry navigate its next chapter of innovation.” Why take part? For every completed response, NBS will donate £1 to the charity Crash, which uses construction expertise to help homeless charities and hospices with vital construction projects. The survey should only take 10-15 minutes to complete.  A pre-release report is sent to all participants, so those taking part will be among the first to access the findings. Take the survey: https://comms.thenbs.com/l/757813/2025-07-09/49pyjv Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Today, Siemens Smart Infrastructure announced a collaboration agreement with  Microsoft to transform access to Internet of Things (IoT) data for buildings. The  collaboration will enable interoperability between Siemens’ digital building platform,  Building X, and Microsoft Azure IoT Operations enabled by Azure Arc. Azure IoT  Operations, a component of this adaptive cloud approach, provides tools and infrastructure to connect edge devices while integrating data, enabling organizations to optimize their operations and utilize the potential of their IoT environments.    The interoperability of Building X and Azure IoT Operations is making IoT-based  data more accessible for large enterprise customers across commercial buildings,  data centers, and higher education facilities and provides them with the necessary  information to enhance sustainability and operations. It enables automatic  onboarding and monitoring by bringing datapoints such as temperature, pressure, or indoor air quality to the cloud, for assets like heating, ventilation and air conditioning  (HVAC) systems, valves, and actuators. The solution will even allow customers to  develop their own in-house use cases such as energy monitoring and space  optimization.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals