Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Working Group

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Working Group is dedicated to leveraging AI technologies to create a more prosperous, inclusive and equitable future for Aotearoa New Zealand. We work on behalf of the AI Forum’s Executive Council to meet strategic objectives through collaboration, research and thought leadership.

AI Forum AEC Working Group Submission on the Draft National Infrastructure Plan

In early August 2025, our working group provided a comprehensive submission on the Draft National Infrastructure Plan. The submission commends the plan’s ambition while recommending stronger integration of digital technologies and AI, improved governance, and more inclusive infrastructure outcomes. Key focus areas include digital enablement, workforce development, spatial planning, Te Ao Māori engagement, public-private partnerships, climate resilience, and boosting New Zealand’s AI capability.

Read the full submission

Why we have formed

Our working group aims to drive AI adoption within the AEC industry, which contributes over $17.6 billion to New Zealand’s GDP or 6.3 percent. Our group emerged from the 2024 AI Blueprint workshops run by the AI Forum New Zealand, highlighting the need for a task force that supports the development, implementation, and adoption of AI in the industry.

Deliverables

Our working group is actively developing its plan, guided by insights from the AI Blueprint for Aotearoa 2024 and the AI Blueprint 2025 update. We’ve outlined five workstreams:

Assess: Provide recommendations and a roadmap for integrating AI across AEC industry businesses and organisations.
Upskill: Identify, develop and deploy training and information opportunities for professionals, organisations and projects who are taking steps to utilise AI. Enabling an accelerated uptake of AI within the AEC industry.
Inform: Provide the means and mechanisms to make the information collated from our different workstreams available to the AEC community.
Innovate: Accelerating innovation in AI by AEC businesses and public sector organisations while enabling them to keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution and its convergence with other transformative AEC technologies.
Governance: Ensures ethical, accountable, and transparent oversight of AI systems, aligning operational integrity with safety, legal compliance, and sector standards across all project delivery phases, its lifecycle and its stakeholders.

Do you want to get involved?

This is a unique opportunity for members to contribute expertise and help drive innovation in the AEC sector. Here are a few ways you can contribute:

Co-lead an existing workstream.
Propose to lead a new workstream that aligns with our goals.
Contribute to existing workstreams by planning, facilitating or implementing initiatives.

Join us to collaborate with industry experts and contribute to the advancement of AI in the AEC sectors. If you would like to know more, please contact us.

Ready to join? Please complete this form.

If you are not an AI Forum member and would like to join, learn more here.