Balfour Beatty has announced a £7.2m investment in Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI assistant that helps with work tasks by providing suggestions and automating actions across various Microsoft 365 apps.
The contractor claimed it is “one of the largest AI investments of its kind in the UK construction and infrastructure industry”.
Microsoft Copilot is a tool built into Microsoft apps like Outlook, Word and Excel. It uses generative AI to write, summarise or edit text, suggest emails, automate tasks or create data charts based on the user’s instructions.
Balfour Beatty said the AI-powered assistant will operate securely within the company’s “compliant and confidential” IT structures.
The contractor is also partnering with Microsoft to develop AI-powered ‘smart agents’ to improve quality, health and safety, and assurance processes. These agents will use data to inform suggestions for those responsible for on-site decisions.
Balfour Beatty is trialling the smart agents on the A9 project in Scotland to help with early-stage reviews of inspection and test plans, such as identifying common issues like the use of incorrect or outdated templates
Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group chief executive, said: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to harnessing the full potential of digital innovation to drive productivity and support our people. Expanding access to Copilot is the natural next step in our digital transformation, empowering our teams with intuitive, AI-driven tools that streamline workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and free up time for high-value work.”
Jon Ozanne, chief information officer for Balfour Beatty, added: “This investment isn’t just about embracing technology. It’s about ensuring our business remains at the forefront of competitiveness and cybersecurity. Our decision to collaborate with Microsoft underscores Balfour Beatty’s determination to tackle the industry’s productivity gap, drive sustainable outcomes and enhance safety.”
