In construction and architecture, AI is opening up exciting opportunities to work smarter. From supporting our work processes to streamlining everyday tasks, it has the potential to complement our creativity rather than replace it. The challenge, of course, is understanding where to start and how to make it genuinely useful in our day-to-day world.
At our latest Women in Construction Sussex event, AI in Construction: From learning to doing, hosted at the ECE Sussex Studio, we brought together an inspiring mix of professionals to talk all things AI.
The first of our brilliant speakers, Caron Saul, started by unpacking the fundamentals of AI; the different types of models out there, and the ethics that come with using them responsibly. It was a safe space to ask questions, share thoughts, and ease some of the nerves many of us still feel around artificial intelligence.
Caron was then joined by Michelle Carr, who shared practical ways AI can support us in our work – from cutting down the time spent on research, to acting as a sounding board when tackling tricky decisions. The room was alive with discussion and ideas, showing just how eager our industry is to learn, adapt, and grow.
For us, the key takeaway was clear: progress is all about people. We can only evolve as an industry if we invest in ongoing training, stay curious, and open ourselves up to new ways of working.
At ECE Architecture, innovation has always aligned with creativity and collaboration. As a founding member of Women in Construction Sussex and in my role as Head of People & Culture, I’m excited by how our teams are embracing emerging technologies like AI, not to replace human ingenuity, but to elevate it.
We’re committed to equipping our people with the skills and confidence to explore new ways of working, integrating AI responsibly under thoughtful oversight. That balance enables us to continue designing spaces that reflect our values of creativity, quality and commerciality – while maintaining the human touch at the heart of everything we do.
