Learning AI from Building Data Centers... Construction Firms Say "No Turning Back to the Old Ways"

'Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference' Opens
Keynote Speakers from ENR (US) and Samsung Electronics Take the Stage
"An Era Where AI Is Applied Beyond Construction to Operation"

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a major topic even in the global construction and infrastructure sectors, which were traditionally focused on simple construction work. At the 'Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2026' held at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on September 15, both keynote speakers placed AI at the forefront of their addresses.

Jeff Rubenstone, Deputy Editor of the US construction media ENR, is delivering a keynote speech on "Changes in the Global Construction Market Driven by AI and Technological Innovation and Future Response Strategies" at the 'Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2026' held on the 15th at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Seo Yoon Choi

Jeff Rubenstone, Deputy Editor of ENR, stated, "Data center builders say that even if orders slow down in the future, they will not return to their former construction ways," adding, "Over the past two years, we've realized what is possible with AI technology, and there's no reason to abandon that experience." Founded in 1874, ENR is the largest construction media outlet in the US, annually publishing a list of the "Top 250 Global Contractors."

He explained, "For complex projects like data centers and nuclear power plants, conventional methods do not work, so companies are optimizing workforce and material allocation using AI." He went on to say that as project owners who are AI-related companies demand faster construction, builders are also increasing project speed through AI and automation technologies.

He further noted, "AI trained on millions of data points can analyze complex drawings and translate them into customized instructions for workers, breaking down barriers between design, construction, and equipment companies." Additionally, he emphasized that "AI now handles about 80% of tasks such as bid document preparation, allowing construction companies to enter new markets and execute more projects simultaneously." He also pointed out, "When project owners introduce AI on their own, it is essential to first integrate disparate data from each site into a unified system."

Samsung Electronics Vice President Tae-hwan Hwang is delivering the keynote speech titled "The Convergence of AI and Global Infrastructure: Inter-Industry Cooperation and Future Directions" at the "Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2026," held on the 15th at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Seo-yoon Choi

The second keynote speaker, Tae-Hwan Hwang, Vice President and Head of the B2B Integrated Offerings Center (Korea General) at Samsung Electronics, also raised the theme of "Convergence of AI and Global Infrastructure."

Vice President Hwang remarked, "The value of infrastructure is not determined at the moment of completion," adding, "In the past, it was important who built what, but in the next 100 years, the true value will depend on how AI is applied throughout the construction and operation of infrastructure."

He explained, "While the autonomous driving sector has advanced AI using vast amounts of real-world data, infrastructure projects have been driven on a case-by-case basis, limiting data connectivity and utilization." He further assessed, "It is now time to move away from traditional management practices that rely on experience, conventions, and fragmented data, and to begin building environments where AI operates based on data."

He continued, "This enormous leap cannot be achieved by a single company or construction firm alone," emphasizing, "The future of infrastructure can only be completed through cross-industry convergence, bringing together construction, manufacturing, and information technology (IT)."

On the 15th, attendees are listening to the keynote speech at the 'Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2026' held at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. From the right: Leksri Sibrai, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Laos; Han Manhee, President of the Overseas Construction Association; Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Azim Ibrohim, Minister of Transport of Tajikistan; and (second from the left) Abdallah Hamis Ulega, Minister of Public Works of Tanzania. Photo by Choi Seoyoon

This year's major themes at GICC are AI and the energy transformation. The rapid expansion of the global AI industry has caused a surge in power demand for data centers, elevating energy infrastructure such as nuclear and gas combined-cycle power plants as significant new sources of orders. While AI had never been the focal agenda in previous years, it is now front and center at this year's construction industry event. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also adopted "Global Infrastructure Business Cooperation in Partnership with AI" as the main theme for this event.

Hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and organized by the Overseas Construction Association, GICC runs until September 17, inviting key project owners to Seoul to support Korean companies' expansion into overseas markets. This year, over 500 participants—including ministers and deputy ministers from 32 countries—are attending. Now in its 14th year, the event began in 2013 and has been attended by 590 organizations from 90 countries to date. The number of overseas projects for which cooperation was discussed at the event totals approximately 450.

Meanwhile, Yoonduk Kim, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said in his welcoming remarks, "The market is now looking for partners who can devise projects together and be responsible for financial procurement and operations, rather than just companies that are good at construction." He added, "Korea will be a reliable partner throughout the entire process, from business planning and design to construction and long-term operation and management."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.