Balfour Beatty is deepening its commitment to digital transformation, announcing a nearly $10 million investment in Microsoft’s AI technology to streamline operations and improve infrastructure delivery.

The London-headquartered contractor revealed in a July 31 news release that it has committed 7.2 million pounds ($9.6 million) to integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot, the tech giant’s AI-powered assistant, into its secure IT environment. Unlike public AI tools, this system will operate exclusively within Balfour Beatty’s compliant and confidential infrastructure, ensuring both data security and regulatory compliance.

The initiative will initially focus on enhancing quality, health and safety, and assurance processes, with the first AI pilot running on the £185 million A9 Tomatin–Moy road upgrade in Scotland. This major infrastructure project involves converting a single-lane highway into a dual carriageway, building four new bridges, and improving junctions and side roads to enhance regional connectivity.

The AI agent is designed to overhaul the inspection and test plan (ITP) process by spotting frequent problems—such as outdated or incorrect templates—before they reach technical experts. Automating this task, which can take several hours per review and be repeated thousands of times companywide, will free up engineers to focus on design assurance and solving complex technical challenges. This efficiency boost could lead to faster project delivery timelines and reduced operational bottlenecks.

“This investment isn’t just about embracing technology,” said Jon Ozanne, Balfour Beatty’s Chief Information Officer. “It’s about ensuring our business remains at the forefront of competitiveness and cyber security.”

Balfour Beatty first announced its AI development ambitions during its full-year earnings call in March 2024. Since then, the company has steadily integrated more AI-driven systems across its operations, aligning with a broader industry trend toward construction digitization.

Industry analysts suggest that AI tools like Microsoft Copilot could play a pivotal role in reducing human error, improving documentation accuracy, and standardizing compliance protocols across multiple job sites. For a company managing projects across transportation, energy, and social infrastructure, these efficiencies could result in substantial long-term savings.

If successful, the A9 trial could pave the way for the technology’s rollout across Balfour Beatty’s global portfolio, including large-scale urban transit systems, renewable energy facilities, and smart infrastructure projects.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.