Deltek - Built Environment Question Time: 2026 Insights Unwrapped

Across Europe, governments have a mission for growth that is largely underpinned by investment in new homes, new towns, public transport, and a decarbonised energy system.

However, key questions remain: How should built environment firms prepare to meet these challenges and capitalize on the benefits? Where do the greatest opportunities lie? How can technology accelerate delivery? And what role can professional institutions play in driving change?

Our recent live panel webinar explored these questions in depth, examining both the challenges and the exciting possibilities ahead for Europe's architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector.

The Panel of Experts

• Alison Watson, outgoing president, Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors, and founder of Class of Your Own.
• David Porter, president, Institution of Civil Engineers, Director of Engineering and Transformation at Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland.
• Chris Williamson, president, Royal Institute of British Architects, founder, Weston Williamson
• Henrik Garver, managing director, Danish Association of Consulting Engineers

To guide the discussion, three core questions—shaped by delegate submissions—were designed to help the panel unpack the most pressing issues for professionals in the built environment sector. These focused on:

• Projects
• The Workplace
• Technology

The first question the panel was asked to consider was how technology can be used more effectively from day one to ensure projects deliver the desired social, economic, and environmental outcomes. Early decisions set the tone for success—or failure—so how can digital tools and informed clients transform the way projects are planned and executed? A recurring theme of the discussion was the importance of an informed client who understands constraints, articulates a clear vision, and uses digital tools to collaborate and communicate across teams and stakeholders. Without such strong early decision-making and clarity, project delivery is compromised from day one.

While every project is unique, many failures stem from repeatedly having to confront challenges the team has never faced before. Technology can help by providing structured, repeatable systems, allowing teams to approach design and planning with greater consistency while still safeguarding creativity where it adds value.

Another major issue raised was the fragmentation of professional practice. Institutions and disciplines remain siloed, limiting the exchange of best practice at precisely the moment when collaboration is most needed. Technology can support this collaboration, but only if organisations choose to align policies, share standards, and embed project-based learning from early education onwards.

Early-stage design and digital planning were also highlighted. Public-sector clients, in particular, often rush to tender before fully developing a project or make significant late changes. Digital design tools now allow far more detailed exploration of options at the outset, enabling planners, contractors, and suppliers to identify risks, test constructability, and make informed trade-offs before physical work begins.

Finally, achieving the desired social, economic, and environmental outcomes depends on teams with the right skills at the right time, supported by technology that enhances coordination and decision-making. Digital tools can help demonstrate environmental impact and societal relevance, but must be paired with communication skills and clear professional pathways.

Purpose, Diversity, and Digital: The Future of Talent in the Built Environment

The second question challenged the panel to explore how design and management businesses in the built environment must change to attract and retain the best talent. With younger generations seeking purpose-driven careers and technology reshaping roles, the industry faces a critical need to rethink its approach—from early education engagement to creating diverse, digitally enabled teams. Attracting and retaining talent in the built environment requires a fundamental shift in how the industry engages with its potential workforce. The talent pipeline effectively begins in schools, yet current engagement is too often superficial, relying on career fairs and one-off activities that fail to communicate the scale, creativity, and societal value of the sector.

Schools lack sustained support, and teachers rarely receive the investment needed to deliver technical subjects with confidence. As a result, many young people are unaware of the breadth of roles available or default to project management without developing core technical foundations.

Younger generations are increasingly purpose-driven, seeking work that has a positive environmental and social impact. Built-environment organisations must therefore demonstrate clearly how engineering, architecture, and surveying contribute directly to net-zero goals and societal wellbeing.

Therefore, the industry must find new ways to communicate its value, including through digital platforms where younger audiences already learn about careers.

Future talent needs cannot be met solely through traditional professions. Mixed teams - combining engineers, sociologists, economists, and data specialists - are increasingly essential. Technology can support these teams, but only if workers retain strong fundamentals and are able to question, challenge, and validate digital outputs.

Laying the Groundwork for a Future of Growth in the Built Environment

The use of data, digital tools, and artificial intelligence is beginning to influence every stage of the built environment lifecycle - from surveying and design to construction, operation, and asset management.

AI-enabled modelling, automation, and machine-learning-driven analytics create opportunities for faster decisions, greater precision, enhanced sustainability, and more optimised performance. The ability to generate richer, more accurate insights about structures also helps professionals to diagnose issues earlier and improve asset condition decision-making.

Yet despite this potential, the sector faces major challenges in moving towards a mature, value-generating deployment. Many organisations are still unsure how to transition and embrace the technology. In some areas, paper-based processes coexist alongside advanced digital workflows, illustrating a fragmented pace of change. Cultural resistance, a lack of confidence, and inconsistent digital maturity continue to limit uptake across parts of the industry.

A further issue is professional responsibility. AI is becoming embedded in design tools, but built environment professionals must still interrogate outputs, understand limitations, and ensure transparent, ethical use. Rather than trying to "control" the technology, institutions must shape standards, guidance, and codes of conduct that help practitioners use AI responsibly.

There is growing concern that schools focus more on preventing cheating than teaching productive engagement with emerging digital tools. Strengthening digital and AI literacy among teachers would help prepare students for modern industry expectations and reduce onboarding time for employers.

The sector must embrace the possibilities and opportunities of AI, rather than bury its head in the sand.

A key message emerging from the discussion was that jobs are unlikely to disappear because of AI, but roles may shift towards those who can use it effectively.

Building a Better Future: The Sector's Most Urgent Priorities

To close the discussion, the panel each shared the one change they believe could radically transform how professionals deliver in the built environment sector, which included:

• A transformation is required in teacher training, so educators are equipped to teach a modern built environment, not outdated or irrelevant content.
• The sector must communicate the societal value and purpose of infrastructure rather than simply its technical features, helping the public understand why investment matters.
• Greater collaboration is needed to bring together diverse voices early to reduce adversarial behaviours and improve procurement, delivery and social outcomes.

Their answers point to a common theme: the need for systemic shifts in education, collaboration, and communication—ensuring the industry not only builds better infrastructure but also inspires and equips the next generation to shape a sustainable future. A step-change in the sector's performance depends on significantly improving education to lift capability and enable better long-term outcomes.

Watch the Full Discussion On-Demand

This discussion brought together leading voices from across the built environment to tackle some of the sector's most pressing challenges—and uncover the opportunities ahead. From the role of technology and AI to attracting talent and driving collaboration, the insights shared are invaluable for anyone shaping the future of architecture, engineering, and construction.

Don't miss the chance to hear the full conversation and practical takeaways. Watch the webinar on demand now and explore how your organization can stay ahead.