It’s the dawn of Construction Intelligence, says Peer Lubasch

Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch has declared that the emerging Artificial Intelligence dispensation is already giving birth to an era of Construction Intelligence, where the application of AI knowledge is aiding engineering construction processes.

In his opening remarks at the 2025 Luminary Soiree of the leading engineering construction company held in Lagos Tuesday, Lubasch said that Julius Berger is not just watching this AI revolution, but that the company is actively part of it.

According to him, Julius Berger and its affiliates and subsidiaries have already started bringing Al into their work, saying, in our laboratories and material testing, AI-driven analytics are helping us improve accuracy, speed up results, and make smarter decisions in quality control.

Specifically, the Managing Director disclosed that at PrimeTech, a subsidiary of the group, which is into design and engineering, we are using generative designs, collaborative platforms, and automated clash detection to shorten planning cycles. And we are aiming even higher – to bring Al into every stage of design, so we deliver faster, with greater precision.

He added that, together, these tools will transform Julius Berger into a data-driven, intelligent construction enterprise, setting new standards in performance, safety, quality, and client value.

Describing the gathering as the bringing together of great minds from architecture, finance, and engineering, Lubasch urged the audience not to see themselves as mere guests, but as partners in the unique journey of innovation and change.

Tonight is about meaningful conversations. It’s about building new connections. And most of all, it’s about putting ourselves – together – at the front of a global shift that is already reshaping construction, he added.

Turning to the architects, finance and banking experts as well as professionals in the oil and gas industry inside the jam-packed venue of the annual event, the Managing Director reminded them that Al is unlocking new creative freedom, backed by real data and simulation as well as giving a new level of clarity in risk assessment and return on investment and helping to bridge complex infrastructure needs with faster, more efficient project delivery.

Looking ahead, he declared: we see Al as an enabler across every part of Julius Berger’s value chain: predictive maintenance, adaptive scheduling, real-time safety monitoring, faster cost estimates, smart dashboards, risk anticipation, including support for contract management and legal teams.

He tasked the audience with ensuring that they embrace intelligence, but don’t lose sight of integrity, fairness, and inclusion, as the future must not only be smart, it must also be right.

As we connect this evening, I invite you to imagine – not just what construction is today, but what it could become; smarter, leaner, greener, safer, more inclusive, powered by intelligence and delivered through collaboration, Lubasch said in conclusion, even as he encouraged all to explore with Julius Berger, new partnerships, bold ideas, and future projects.

One of the guest speakers at the evening’s event, a Senior Executive at Google, Mrs Ugochi Agoreyo did not mince words in letting the audience in on the very essence of the AI revolution.

In her presentation titled, Embracing the AI Smart Revolution – A Pathway to Nigeria and Africa’s Future, she said that at its essence, the AI smart revolution refers to the broad adoption and integration of intelligent technologies that extend human capabilities, allowing humans to sense, learn, reason, and act more effectively.

These systems range from machine learning models that detect anomalies in banking transactions, to natural language processors powering voice assistants, to predictive algorithms optimizing energy consumption in smart cities, she said; adding that, rather than replace humanity, AI offers a complementary dimension: augmenting human creativity and judgment, automating repetitive tasks, and enabling decision-makers to act with greater precision and foresight.

This revolution, Agoreyo continued, touches all sectors: healthcare, agriculture, finance, education, governance, and even construction, the sector synonymous with Julius Berger’s renown, saying that it is commendable that companies like Julius Berger are adopting AI in extensive contract planning and execution.

She was, however, quick to add that, importantly, AI’s reach extends far beyond any single industry as it is a foundational technology that underlies a smarter, more interconnected world.

According to her, in Africa, and Nigeria in particular, which are receptive grounds for AI innovation, it is necessary to consider both the opportunities and challenges, adding that, Nigeria’s rapidly growing economy is among Africa’s largest and that it’s youthful population, estimated to surpass 200 million in the coming years, represents a reservoir of untapped talent and entrepreneurial spirit.

Thus, across the continent, mobile phone penetration and internet connectivity have surged, laying fertile soil for digital innovation, she declared.

Another guest speaker, an Architect with an offshore architectural firm, Willen Associates, Jurgen Willen, disclosed the essence of AI application to the various projects they have handled so far with always having the future in mind.

The range of services of our work includes the areas of architecture, interior design, urban planning, as well as event and product design. The main approach is to look far into the future for every planning project and to incorporate the latest products and possibilities into the projects, he said.

He also declared that his company believes that every project is unique and must meet the demands and needs of future builders and users.

Amidst applause from the audience after every speaker dropped the microphone, members of the Julius Berger Strategic Business Development Team readily and freely discussed relevant opportunities with willing guests, among whom were the crème-de-la-crème of investment, finance, banking, IT, and architecture world from across the country.

The roll call of attendees include the chairman of Heirs Foundation, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, and United Bank for Africa, UBA, Tony Elumelu, CFR, Founder of Northwest Group, Mrs Winifred Akpani member of the Board of Julius Berger and Chairman, Abumet, Mrs Belinda Disu, former Board Chairman, Julius Berger, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, CON, Director, Corporate Development, Julius Berger, Jochen Stolle, Senior Executive, Strategic Business Development, Ndifreke Ukochio, among other divisional heads from the company, as well as the Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Engr. Akinbo Akin-Olugbade and other top industry players.