ZIGURAT brings together over a hundred experts in Riyadh to drive digital transformation and AI adoption in construction
ZIGURAT Institute of Technology, an international educational institution specialising in digital transformation for the AECO sector (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations), headquartered in Barcelona and present in 120 countries, held its first Local Hub in the Middle East in Riyadh. The event brought together over a hundred professionals, students, and alumni to analyse the role of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the future of the construction sector.
Under the title “Unlimited Possibilities with Digital Transformation & AI in AEC”, the event—sponsored by GRAPHISOFT—was held at the Olaya Centre and exceeded participation expectations, reflecting the country’s growing interest in strengthening its digital capabilities in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
In his opening remarks, Pau F. Aldomà, CEO of ZIGURAT, highlighted the institution’s commitment to developing local talent and collaborating with the Saudi ecosystem. “This national strategy requires bold ideas, skilled professionals, and strong partnerships. At ZIGURAT, we believe education is the foundation to achieve that future, and we are proud to be an active part of this journey,” he stated.
The day featured two panels focused on the key topics shaping the future of the industry, as well as a networking session where participants exchanged contacts and took part in a raffle.
Rethinking construction processes through digitalisation
The first panel, “Digital Transformation in Construction: Rethinking Project Delivery,” featured Hossam Abdulaziz, Dr. Omar Dahan, Mohamed Dorra (all three, alumni and ambassadors), and Ahmed Fadhl Al Mawla. They provided expert insights into the specific challenges faced by the construction sector in Saudi Arabia, such as the need to align university curricula with the skills truly required in the professional environment.
As Omar Dahan explained, ZIGURAT significantly contributes to bridging this gap by providing complementary knowledge that can be applied on-site from the very first day. Meanwhile, Mohamed Dorra advocated for integrating BIM, AI, and Digital Twin content into university programs to better prepare future professionals. In this regard, Dahan shared an illustrative analogy that captivated the audience: “BIM is the skeleton, AI is the brain, and Digital Twins are the nervous system of the future of construction.”
AI as a practical tool and a complement to professional judgment
The second panel, “AI in Construction: Automation and Innovation,” moderated by Sarah Sakr (alumni), focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on project management. Ahmed Elhadidi (alumni and ambassador), Maged Elhamady (alumni), and Kamal Bairagdar (Senior Project Manager in Jacobs) presented real cases, tools, and workflows already implemented in their organisations. Elhadidi shared several practical resources with the audience and launched an AI challenge that received great engagement from participants.
The panellists agreed that while AI helps optimise processes and improve efficiency, certain professional judgments “should never be delegated.” This opened a debate on ethics, technological limits, and the need to preserve emotional intelligence in decision-making.
As part of the program, projects developed by students of ZIGURAT’s International Master’s in BIM Management were also showcased, reinforcing the institution’s educational impact on the real-world application of emerging technologies.
Networking and global community: a growing ecosystem
The event concluded with an active networking session, where attendees participated in a connection-card activity. Three prizes were raffled among those who completed the challenge. As an anecdote that reflects the strong commitment of students to their professional development and events such as ZIGURAT’s Local Hub, one of the evening’s winners mentioned having travelled over 300 kilometres to attend this event of discussion, knowledge exchange, and professional networking.
With this first edition in Riyadh, ZIGURAT strengthens its role as a global player in specialised AEC training and establishes a key reference point for technological innovation and capacity building in the Middle East. The event left a shared conclusion: education, collaboration, and innovation will remain essential pillars to drive the sector’s transformation and support Saudi Arabia’s ambitious urban development and infrastructure goals.
