CHALLENGES AND ADVANCES ADDRESSED AT THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION CONGRESS: AI, SUSTAINABILITY, AND DIGITA

• Industry professionals gathered to explore how artificial intelligence, data, and digitalization are transforming the construction industry.
• Leading companies presented case studies on applied innovation in sustainability, data analytics, digital twins, and process automation. 

The academic event took place as part of Expoconstrucción and Expodiseño 2025, running through May 25 at Corferias. Bogotá, May 2025. On May 22, as part of Expoconstrucción and Expodiseño 2025, the Construction Technology and Innovation Congress was held successfully, an academic forum that brought together industry leaders to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence and data analytics on the transformation of the building industry. The Congress was organized by Camacol Bogotá and Cundinamarca, with support from ITNIA and partners including Arpro, Microsoft, Estrenar Vivienda, Cemex, and Gustavo Perry Arquitectos. 

The Future Is Built with Artificial Intelligence The Congress opened with remarks from William Alarcón, Azure Director at Microsoft, who encouraged the sector to embrace AI tools to strengthen every stage of the construction lifecycle: design, planning, and execution. "Artificial intelligence will not replace ideas. People are the ones called to understand it, adapt it, and use it to create real value. Its potential also lies in strengthening client relationships, empowering talent, and optimizing processes," he said. Industry Leaders Panel: Technology with Purpose and Sustainability One of the standout sessions was the panel "Technological Innovation in Construction: Challenges and Opportunities for an Efficient and Sustainable Industry," featuring: 1. Daniel Rodríguez (ARPRO) shared insights from the Atrio project as an example of on-site digitalization using mobile-device blueprints. 2. Jhony Vargas (Constructora Capital) highlighted technology's role in improving customer satisfaction and strengthening teams. 3. Harold Garzón (Ingeurbe) described digital transformation as a financial and strategic asset, key to process automation and advanced data analysis. 4. Carlos Núñez (Gustavo Perry Arquitectos), moderating the panel, emphasized the importance of building with a reduced environmental footprint.

Panelists agreed that data use, generative AI, drones, prefabrication, and new management models are essential to advancing toward a more sustainable, efficient industry that is attuned to today's demographic and environmental realities. Colombian Innovation Serving Concrete In the session "Wind Tunnel for Concrete Research," Germán Hermida, Technical Director of Cemex South America and the Caribbean, presented a unique solution developed by Colombian talent to mitigate early-stage concrete cracking. This pioneering technology combines physical and climatic variables to assess structural performance from both a scientific and practical standpoint. Data That Drives Decisions The Congress also featured pioneering developments such as the wind tunnel for concrete research, led by CEMEX — a Colombian-developed technology that provides insight into how the material behaves under variable weather conditions. In the panel "From Data Profile to Buyer Profile," experts from Acierto Consultores, Estrenar Vivienda, and Camacol B&C examined how data enables a deeper understanding of customers, anticipates behavior, and improves decision-making in highly volatile markets.

From Design to Digital Twin: New Realities in Construction The day continued with a session on digital twins led by Paula Echeverri, BIM Mentor at Gustavo Perry Arquitectos, who explained how these tools capture value throughout a project's entire lifecycle and enable more collaborative, intelligent processes. The event closed with remarks from Víctor Saavedra, Director of Agencia Atenea, who presented post-secondary education and specialized training initiatives for the sector, such as the "Jóvenes a la E" program and the "Talento Capital" strategy, which have trained thousands of people in infrastructure, science, and technology. "Jóvenes a la E" was highlighted for allocating COP 3.6 trillion to talent development in Bogotá, along with 1,657 scholarships awarded for training programs in construction and infrastructure.

Education as the Foundation for Transforming the Sector "Construction needs to advance in both technological modernization and human capital. AI won't reduce employment — it will transform job profiles. That's why we need to train, innovate, and connect academia with industry," he concluded. Through initiatives like this one, Camacol B&C reaffirms its commitment to a more innovative, collaborative, and sustainable industry, where digital transformation becomes a tool to improve quality of life, optimize processes, and generate real impact in cities. Expoconstrucción and Expodiseño 2025 — organized by Camacol's Bogotá and Cundinamarca chapter and Corferias — runs through May 25 at the fairgrounds, featuring more than 550 exhibitors, a robust trade show floor, and an academic program driving sustainable growth for the construction industry across Colombia and Latin America. For the full Expoconstrucción and Expodiseño 2025 program, visit www.expoconstruccionyexpodiseno.com.