ZIGURAT hosts Riyadh Local Hub on digital construction

ZIGURAT Institute of Technology has held its first Middle East Local Hub in Riyadh, gathering nearly one hundred professionals, students and alumni to discuss digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the construction sector.

The event took place at Olaya Center under the title “Unlimited Possibilities with Digital Transformation & AI in AEC” and was sponsored by GRAPHISOFT.

According to ZIGURAT, participation exceeded expectations, which it linked to Saudi Arabia’s drive to build digital capabilities in line with Vision 2030.

The institution described the Local Hub format as part of its wider work in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) sector, where it is headquartered in Barcelona and active in 120 countries.

Pau F. Aldomà, CEO of ZIGURAT, opened the event by focusing on local talent development and collaboration with the Saudi ecosystem.

Aldomà said: “This national strategy demands bold ideas, skilled professionals, and strong partnerships.

“At ZIGURAT, we believe that education is the foundation for achieving that future, and we are proud to be an active part of the journey.”

The programme combined panel discussions and networking, with attendees also invited to take part in a raffle linked to a connection-building activity.

Panels address digital transformation in construction delivery

ZIGURAT reported that the first panel, “Digital Transformation in Construction: Rethinking Project Delivery,” examined how digital methods are reshaping project workflows in Saudi Arabia.

Panellists included alumni and ambassadors Hossam Abdulaziz, Dr Omar Dahan and Mohamed Dorra, alongside industry professional Ahmed Fadhl Al Mawla.

The speakers discussed gaps between university teaching and the skills required on construction projects, highlighting the need to align academic content with on-site practice.

According to ZIGURAT, Dahan pointed to the institution’s programmes as a way to supplement university education with content that can be applied immediately on the job site.

Dorra was said to have called for topics such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence and Digital Twins to be incorporated into university curricula to prepare future professionals.

Dr Omar Dahan, alumnus and ambassador, said: “BIM is the skeleton, AI the brain, and Digital Twins the nervous system of the future of construction.”

The discussion placed particular emphasis on how digital tools can structure information, support coordination and help project teams manage complexity across different phases of construction.

AI seen as tool alongside professional judgement

The second panel, “AI in Construction: Automation and Innovation,” focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence in project management.

The discussion was moderated by alumna Sarah Sakr and featured alumna and ambassador Ahmed Elhadidi, alumna Maged Elhamady and Kamal Bairagdar, Senior Project Manager at Jacobs.

Panel members shared case studies, tools and workflows that they stated are already in use in their organisations.

ZIGURAT said Elhadidi presented a series of AI resources and launched an AI challenge for attendees, which was well received.

Speakers noted that AI can streamline processes and improve efficiency in construction projects when carefully integrated into existing workflows.

At the same time, the panel agreed that some professional decisions should remain with experienced practitioners, prompting a wider exchange on ethics and the limits of automation.

The discussion also addressed the value of emotional intelligence in decision-making and the importance of maintaining human oversight as AI tools become more common.

As part of the agenda, projects from students of the ZIGURAT International Master in BIM Management were showcased, which the institution described as evidence of how its training connects emerging technologies with real-world practice.

Networking underlines ZIGURAT’s AECO community focus

The Local Hub closed with a networking session that used connection cards to structure introductions and exchanges among attendees.

ZIGURAT stated that three prizes were raffled among participants who completed the networking challenge.

The institution highlighted one winner who reported travelling more than 300 kilometres to attend the event for discussion, knowledge sharing and professional networking.

ZIGURAT framed this as an illustration of the commitment shown by its students and alumni to their professional development.

With the Riyadh Local Hub, the institution said it is strengthening its position as a global provider of specialised training for the AECO sector while expanding its presence in the Middle East.

ZIGURAT also reported a shared conclusion from the event that education, collaboration and innovation will remain central to the sector’s transformation and to Saudi Arabia’s urban development and infrastructure goals.

Digital construction skills and implications for safety practice

Professionals involved in design and engineering, such as architects, fire engineering consultants and building services engineers, may need to understand how tools like BIM, artificial intelligence and Digital Twins are being embedded into construction workflows.

For facility managers and project managers overseeing complex assets in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, the focus on digital project delivery at ZIGURAT’s Local Hub shows how skills in data handling and model-based coordination are becoming part of mainstream construction practice.

Training officers and instructors may view the integration of these topics into ZIGURAT’s International Master in BIM Management, and the call to embed them in university programmes, as a sign that digital competence will be an expectation for new entrants to the sector.

System installers and fire-protection contractors working within digitally managed projects could see practical effects where AI-supported planning and BIM-based coordination shape how information is shared across teams and how project decisions are documented.

The emphasis on maintaining professional judgement and emotional intelligence alongside AI use indicates that, even as automation advances, responsibility for safety-related decisions is still expected to sit with qualified practitioners.

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