compiled by Arnie Gess, president of Construction Links Network.

Welcome to your weekly dose of construction technology insights powered by Construction Links Network. Every week, we dive into the tools, trends, and tech that are reshaping how our industry builds smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Whether you’re on the jobsite or in the boardroom, this blog is your reliable resource for staying current with innovations in software, materials, AI, robotics, BIM, and more.

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A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), co-sponsored by Payworks and Sage, reveals that while 92% of Canadian small businesses use digital tools, only 10% have fully integrated them across operations—leaving significant productivity potential untapped. Businesses that embrace full digital adoption, or become “Digital Leaders,” see an average return of $2.40 for every $1 invested, compared to $1.60 for partial adopters, and report up to a 29% productivity boost in the first year. The report also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), with 23% of SMEs investing in generative AI tools and 25% planning to do so in the next three years. SMEs using AI report saving more than an hour per day, which could contribute an estimated $12.8 billion to Canada’s GDP if reinvested. However, barriers like cost, time, and digital skills remain. CFIB urges policymakers to accelerate digital adoption through tax incentives, training support, and simplified guidance to help small firms unlock their potential. With only 3% productivity growth in Canada over the past decade compared to 18% in the U.S., digital transformation is seen as key to driving competitiveness and economic growth.

Remote First Nation communities often face challenges accessing qualified home inspectors, leading to potential delays and risks in construction quality. To address this gap, Southern First Nations Secretariat (SFNS) has partnered with 3D Remote Building Inspections (3DRBI) to pilot an innovative solution using 3D cameras and virtual inspections. SFNS staff are trained to capture detailed 3D images of construction sites with cameras connected to a proprietary app. The footage is then uploaded to the 3DRBI platform, where certified inspectors conduct immersive virtual inspections, as if they were physically on site. This approach enables inspectors to perceive spatial depth and identify potential issues more effectively than traditional 2D photos. Inspectors provide electronic reports and follow-up recommendations, ensuring projects stay on track while maintaining a permanent digital record of each build. According to SFNS leaders, the initiative reduces delays, lowers costs, and improves efficiency for housing projects across seven First Nation communities.

Driveroo has launched its new Incident Management Module, expanding its vehicle and equipment inspection platform into the Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) space. The module unifies inspections, incident reporting, compliance, and safety management in a single mobile-first solution, eliminating paper processes and siloed systems. Frontline workers benefit from guided digital workflows with photos, videos, and GPS data for fast, accurate reporting, while EHS teams gain a centralized hub for root cause analysis, corrective actions, and audit-ready documentation. This innovation closes the loop from detection to resolution, helping organizations reduce risk, streamline compliance, and build a culture of shared safety ownership where frontline staff actively prevent hazards and managers gain real-time visibility to improve workplace safety performance.

Bluebeam, part of the Nemetschek Group and a leader in solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals, unveiled its bold new vision for connected construction at the Unbound 2025 conference. The highlight was Bluebeam Max, a premium subscription launching globally in early 2026 that integrates AI-powered features into Revu, including Anthropic Claude integration for natural-language automation, AI-driven design reviews, scope gap detection, advanced markup tools, and seamless 2D-to-3D coordination with Revit. Designed to reduce waste, improve accuracy, and boost collaboration, Bluebeam Max represents a new era of intelligent project delivery. Beyond Max, Bluebeam announced enhancements for all subscribers, including Task Link for real-time office-to-field task visibility, natural-language search across Studio Projects, expanded mobile access, DocuSign e-signature integration, and seamless connections with Procore, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Together, these innovations strengthen Bluebeam’s mission to unite people, processes, and platforms across the AEC industry.

BuilderLync, an all-in-one business platform built exclusively for contractors, is preparing its launch and seeking strategic investors to bring its MVP and V1 release to market. Unlike fragmented “one-size-fits-all” tools, BuilderLync delivers a true contractor CRM by unifying project management, lead generation, marketing automation, proposals, material ordering, and job site documentation into one powerful system. With native integrations—including EagleView for aerial measurements and ABC Supply for seamless material ordering—plus AI-driven automation and reporting, BuilderLync eliminates the need for multiple costly software subscriptions. Contractors gain streamlined workflows, real-time updates, instant proposals, and data-driven insights that reduce overhead and boost profitability. Already filling 15 of 30 private beta seats, BuilderLync has validated strong market demand and is moving quickly toward launch. Funds raised will accelerate development, expand integrations, and build a support team to scale nationwide adoption.

The commercial property management market, valued at USD 300 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 500 billion by 2033, is being reshaped by AI-powered inspection software. Traditional manual inspections—clipboards, notes, and spreadsheets—are being replaced with mobile-first, automated solutions that cut inspection times by up to 50% while improving compliance, efficiency, and tenant satisfaction. For property managers across the U.S. and Canada, these tools are no longer optional; they are essential to maintaining asset value, reducing liability, and boosting NOI. AI-driven platforms provide customizable checklists, photo tagging, automated reporting, and predictive analytics, helping managers spot issues before they become costly repairs. According to Deloitte, over 80% of CRE leaders have already invested in proptech, and McKinsey estimates digitization can reduce operating costs by 30%. PwC projects AI will add $1.3 trillion in value to real estate by 2030. For commercial portfolios spanning multifamily, office, retail, industrial, and hospitality, digital inspections are transforming from a compliance task into a strategic driver of performance, safeguarding assets and enhancing investor and tenant trust.

CarbiCrete, a pioneer in cement-free concrete technology, has announced that Ontario-based Canal Block has begun producing concrete blocks using its patented decarbonization process at its Port Colborne facility. This breakthrough technology eliminates cement-related emissions entirely by replacing cement with a steel by-product and permanently storing CO₂ through mineralization, creating construction blocks with a carbon footprint 20 times lower than the industry average, verified by an ASTM Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Canal Block is now the first Ontario manufacturer and the second in Canada to license CarbiCrete’s system, giving Ontario builders access to sustainable, low-carbon masonry products that maintain durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. “We’re excited to bring this groundbreaking solution to Ontario,” said Canal Block President Durk Bylsma, while CarbiCrete CEO Jacob Homiller emphasized the role of partners like Canal Block in advancing concrete as a climate solution. This expansion follows CarbiCrete’s global growth, including a planned production line with Saint-Gobain’s POINT.P in France, alongside availability in Quebec through Patio Drummond and in the U.S. via Gagne & Son.

Nonlinear, an AI-first construction technology startup founded by Stanford grads Sheel Sansare, Adam Banga, and Sunny Yu, has officially launched from stealth with $1.1M in pre-seed funding led by Unusual Ventures. Designed for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms, Nonlinear offers a modular AI workflow platform that streamlines traditionally manual tasks like QA/QC, submittal reviews, and estimation by turning unstructured data into reusable automations. Unlike generic AI chatbots, Nonlinear enables teams to build customized workflows embedded with firm-specific logic, tribal knowledge, and project data—delivering consistent, scalable results. By integrating directly with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Procore, and Autodesk Construction Cloud, the platform fits seamlessly into existing ecosystems. Early adopters, including Preload and Gulf Coast Underground, report reduced project timelines and improved operational efficiency. As Nonlinear grows, it aims to expand its prebuilt workflow library and integrations, addressing the industry’s growing demand for smarter, AI-powered project delivery.

Unanet, a leading provider of ERP and CRM solutions for architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and government contracting firms, has announced a major AI innovation with the introduction of Wyatt—a GPT-enabled copilot purpose-built to enhance Unanet’s project-based platforms. Exclusive to Unanet, Wyatt goes beyond answering questions, offering unified data access, proactive insights, and automated workflows to help users streamline project management, accounting, and forecasting. Designed to turn every user into a power user, Wyatt delivers real-time guidance through natural language, flagging risks, generating forecasts, and simplifying complex tasks—directly within users’ existing workflows. Launching in Q1 2026 for Unanet AE ERP, and later for GovCon and construction solutions, Wyatt supports Unanet’s broader AI strategy to help firms break data silos, improve resource planning, and make confident, data-driven decisions.

Despite its transformative potential, AI adoption in the infrastructure and construction sector remains slow due to concerns about job security, low profit margins, and limited understanding of the technology’s value. At a recent ICE roundtable, experts from Turner & Townsend, Skanska, Balfour Beatty, and other major firms discussed the sector’s hesitance, emphasizing that while AI could address labor shortages caused by retiring engineers, there’s still resistance rooted in fears of redundancy and poor interoperability among tech platforms. Participants stressed the importance of retaining human expertise in evaluating AI outputs and called for better data-sharing practices and cross-platform integration to unlock AI’s full value. The UK’s national digital twin program, part of its 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, also faces barriers due to data hoarding and inconsistent digital maturity across firms. While some large consultancies are making progress, many contractors and subcontractors lag behind due to risk aversion and a preference for traditional methods. Panelists agreed that for AI and digital tools to succeed, the sector must prioritize knowledge capture, transparent data practices, and a cultural shift toward collaboration and innovation.