Explore the Build Forward Schedule

Event Agenda

Build Forward is a community-led event focused on AI in construction. Join a shared experience of conversations and practical sessions exploring how AI is influencing the future of construction. 

Build Forward Agenda
1:00 - 1:25 Session Welcome to Build Forward! AJ Water - Chief Evangelist @ Kahua
Taylor Last - Data Scientist @ Kahua View Abstract
Kick off the event with a look at what’s ahead for the afternoon. This opening session will welcome attendees, frame the conversation around AI in construction, and set the stage for the practical insights, real-world perspectives, and live demonstrations to come.
1:30 - 1:55 Session Data Integrity for AI Success Philip Townsend - Chief Technology Officer, Managing Director Infrastructure and Capital Programs @ Accenture View Abstract
Starting from the ground up, this session will explore the data foundations required to successfully implement AI in construction environments. Focus on preparing project data, documents, and workflows to support AI-driven insights.
2:00 - 2:25 Session Responsible AI Adoption for Capital Projects: Security, Governance, and Trust Bert Aultman - Manager, Business and Technology Management Division @ Procon Consulting
Christian Evans - PMIS Project Executive @ Procon Consulting View Abstract
As AI adoption accelerates, construction teams need a clear approach to security, governance, and trust. This session will explore what responsible AI adoption looks like in capital projects, including the controls, safeguards, and operating principles organizations should consider as they evaluate and deploy AI in real project environments.
2:30 - 3:20 Panel Panel: Identifying Project Risk with AI Moderator: Brian Haines - Vice President, Strategy for Asset Centric @ Kahua
Sophie Planken-Bichler - Industry Analyst @ Verdantix
James Garner - Founder @ Project Flux
Hugh Seaton - CEO @ The Link.ai View Abstract
Live moderated conversation with practitioners discussing real AI use cases across construction.
3:25 - 4:15 Panel The Architect, the Engineer, the Contractor, and the Owner: Four Vantage Points on AI in AEC Moderator: Nicholas Heim - Director of Innovation & Co-Founder @ Trinovate Advisors
Randy Deutsch - University Professor @ Illinois
Kenny Shultz - Owner of PermitZIP, a full-stack AI engineering firm
Tyler Campbell - Construction Tech Counselor @ FieldProof
Nathaniel Jessee - Project Manager, Capital Improvements @ Atlanta Public Schools View Abstract
This panel puts four sides of a project in the same room: an architect, an engineer, a contractor, and an owner; each weighing in on how AI is showing up in their work. The panel also spans four vantage points: academia, industry, advisory, and ownership. You'll hear from someone teaching the next generation of architects, someone running an engineering firm day-to-day, someone advising construction teams on the ground, and someone in the owner's seat. The takeaway: a clear picture of where AI is delivering on real projects today, and what each role is watching for next.
4:20 - 5:00 Session Live AI Build: Create a Workflow in Minutes Luke Rafferty - Solutions Consultant @ Kahua View Abstract
Join us for an interactive, hands on session where the audience drives the build. You will submit real construction workflow or application ideas, and the Kahua team will create the solution live on screen using Noa (powered by Kahua AI) inside kBuilder Canvas, turning a plain language prompt into a working app or workflow in minutes, without code or external tools. We will also show Noa Assistant in action, so you can see how teams reduce manual effort and keep work moving inside the system of record.

This is not a concept demo. It is a live proof of what governed, embedded intelligence looks like when it is workflow aware, secure, and built for real capital program delivery: get answers faster, automate routine work, and deploy new workflows quickly as requirements change.