# Kier Group's AI Adoption Boosts Construction Safety and Productivity > Kier Group’s strategic embrace of AI, led by COO Louisa Finlay, is transforming safety and productivity in construction. Through engaging initiatives, the company encourages its workforce to experiment with Microsoft’s Copilot, setting a new standard for innovation in the industry. **Source**: news.microsoft.com | **Published**: 2026-09-02 | **Type**: case_study ## Key Facts - Kier's 40% Copilot adoption shows AI's potential to enhance productivity in construction. - Prompt-a-thons reveal strong employee engagement, fostering a culture of innovation and learning. - AI-driven safety data collection could reduce workplace risks, enhancing Kier's competitive edge. - Emphasizing "Human at the Helm" indicates Kier's strategy to balance tech with human oversight. - Investment in AI training signals Kier's commitment to workforce development and long-term growth. ## Summary \## Summary Kier Group plc, a UK construction and infrastructure firm, faced challenges in embracing AI technology due to initial reluctance among senior leaders. To overcome this, they implemented Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant through engaging training sessions, resulting in approximately 40% of employees using the tool and significant improvements in productivity and safety practices. \## Background Kier Group plc, based in Salford, England, employs around 11,000 people and operates in the construction and infrastructure industry. The company builds various structures, including schools and prisons, and has a growing infrastructure services division focused on large-scale projects in water and nuclear energy. Prior to deploying AI, there was hesitance among executives to adopt new technology, primarily due to their busy schedules and unfamiliarity with AI. \## Challenge The primary challenge Kier faced was the reluctance of senior leaders to adopt AI technology, which hindered the company's ability to enhance productivity and safety practices within its operations. \## Solution Kier implemented a series of "prompt-a-thons" to encourage experimentation with AI among executives and colleagues. Participants tested their knowledge against Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant, which was integrated into tools like Outlook, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint. Additionally, Kier began developing AI agents to collect and analyze safety data and assist in managing safety standards on job sites. The training sessions fostered a comfortable environment for employees to learn and engage with AI. \## Results Approximately 40% of Kier's employees now use Microsoft 365 Copilot, leading to increased engagement and productivity. The AI tools have been instrumental in prioritizing tasks, conducting research, and drafting documents. The development of AI agents is in its early stages, aiming to enhance safety data management and operational efficiency. \## Key Insights Encouraging hands-on experimentation with AI in a supportive environment can significantly increase adoption rates among employees. Small group training sessions can be more effective than traditional training methods, fostering confidence and collaboration. It is crucial to maintain a human-centric approach in AI deployment, ensuring that employees feel in control of the technology. \## Customer Testimonial “The biggest skill we can ask from everybody these days is curiosity and being willing to try new things,” says Louisa Finlay, Chief Operating Officer of Kier Group. ## Entities - **Companies**: Kier Group plc, Microsoft - **Products**: Microsoft 365 Copilot, Teams Premium - **Technologies**: AI, drones, Azure cloud platform - **People**: Louisa Finlay ## Key Concepts AI adoption, productivity enhancement, safety practices, prompt-a-thons, peer learning, Human at the Helm, facilities management, training and development ## Definitions - **AI**: Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. - **prompt-a-thon**: A collaborative event where participants engage with AI to test their knowledge and skills in a supportive environment. - **Human at the Helm**: A philosophy emphasizing that while AI can assist, human oversight and control remain essential. - **facilities management**: A discipline that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process, and technology. - **Teams Premium**: An advanced version of Microsoft Teams that includes enhanced AI features for chat and meeting functions. ## Use Cases - Prioritizing emails - Conducting research - Drafting job descriptions - Collecting and organizing safety data - Predicting maintenance needs for building parts - Planning travel itineraries ## Frequently Asked Questions **How is Kier Group using AI?** Kier Group is using AI to enhance productivity and safety in construction. They employ AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot for various tasks, including email management and data analysis. **What is a prompt-a-thon?** A prompt-a-thon is an event where employees engage with AI to test their skills and knowledge in a collaborative setting. It encourages experimentation and learning in a supportive environment. **What does 'Human at the Helm' mean?** 'Human at the Helm' is a principle that emphasizes the importance of human oversight in AI applications. It ensures that while AI supports tasks, humans remain in control of decision-making. **What benefits does AI provide to Kier Group employees?** AI provides Kier Group employees with tools to improve efficiency, enhance safety, and support decision-making. It helps in tasks like prioritizing work and identifying risks. **How does Kier Group plan to train its employees on AI?** Kier Group plans to train employees through small group sessions like prompt-a-thons, which foster peer learning. They aim to create a safe environment for employees to explore AI applications. ## Links - [Read on Welcome.AI](https://welcome.ai/content/kier-groups-ai-adoption-boosts-construction-safety-and-productivity) - [Original source](https://news.microsoft.com/source/emea/features/how-kier-groups-louisa-finlay-is-using-copilot-to-drive-safety-and-productivity-in-the-construction-industry/) --- Source: Welcome.AI | https://welcome.ai/content/kier-groups-ai-adoption-boosts-construction-safety-and-productivity