The Big 5 event being held this week in Dubai is hosting the first FutureTech Construction Summit with the organiser predicting that new technology can “shake up” the construction industry.

Themed ‘Empowering Innovation in the Construction Ecosystem’, the FutureTech Construction Summit includes speakers from Virgin Hyperloop One, Microsoft, Saudi Aramco, Faithful+Gould, ASGC, AECOM, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Meraas and Mont Hill. Many are using the event to present some of the latest and most promising technologies, “which will help the construction industry achieve higher productivity, greater sustainability and enhanced affordability,” said dmg events.

“In a world where innovation and technology are more and more crucial to remain competitive, the construction sector is still widely considered a late technology adopter. Yet, technology has an enormous potential within the sector,” Josine Heijmans, portfolio sirector at dmg events, told the audience at the Futuretech Construction Summit.

“From Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to 3D Printing, from Virtual Reality to smart building and IT solutions, a variety of tech innovations have the power to shake up the construction industry today, to improve its productivity, and increase its sustainability and affordability.

“Innovation and technology are considered key elements also to realising the UAE Vision 2021. It is therefore of essence for the regional construction sector to embrace innovation and the vast development opportunities offered by technological innovations.”