CTF 2026 Draws 1,400+ Leaders as AI and Automation Reshape GCC Construction
Over 1,400 executives from construction, real estate and data infrastructure convened in Dubai for the ninth iteration of Construction Technology ConFex (CTF) 2026, with artificial intelligence, automation and swift digital infrastructure growth standing out as major influences recasting the GCC’s built environment.
Developers, contractors, government bodies, AEC consultants and technology innovators from throughout the region took part in the event. Running alongside Property Technology ConFex (PTF) and Data Centre Technology ConFex (DCTC), the 2026 gathering included over 200 speakers, 50 sponsors and exhibitors, 15 live demonstrations and 10 fast pitches, linking construction, real estate and data infrastructure as these fields grow more interconnected through technology, the organisers said.
Throughout the three events, conversations centred on how technology can speed up project schedules, curb cost overruns and enhance results across giga projects, smart-city programmes and next-generation digital infrastructure.
Live demonstrations and case studies displayed robotics, automation, digital twins, modular systems and AI-driven tools reshaping workflows from planning and construction through to handover and operations, they stated.
Katie Briggs, Partner at B2B Connect, said the GCC is experiencing a built-environment transformation driven by advanced construction technologies that are speeding up digital delivery. CTF occupies the centre of that momentum, as organisations deliver smarter, safer and more sustainable buildings and infrastructure. This year’s edition assembled the people and technologies redefining how the region designs, builds and operates its assets.
Speaking about the industry’s digital transformation, Mahmoud Radwan, General Manager for MENA at Premier Construction Software, said that across the MENA region, construction companies are progressing beyond isolated digital tools towards connected platforms that offer greater visibility across the entire project lifecycle. AI and automation can assist teams in spotting risks sooner, reinforcing cost control and enabling data-led decisions. CTF 2026 offers a vital forum for the industry to swap practical insights and examine how technology can deliver measurable gains on increasingly complex projects.
Jennifer Petrie, Enterprise Account Executive at Procore, remarked that CTF UAE is moulding the future of construction conversations in the region. With AI and technology advancing at an extraordinary pace, there is a genuine chance to reconsider how the industry operates, from linking teams and data to making quicker, smarter decisions. CTF provides an excellent platform to hold those conversations with customers and industry peers, and to display how Procore is helping convert that potential into tangible impact.
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