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Beyond Recruiting: Rethinking the Workforce Shortage
Construction Executive·Sep 2, 2026

Beyond Recruiting: Rethinking the Workforce Shortage

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is partnering with Meta to develop a new approach to addressing construction's workforce shortage by training the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Rather than relying solely on traditional recruiting, the partnership aims to create innovative pathways for developing craft workers in the industry.

Workforce
FMCSA will test two hours-of-service changes for truckers next year
Safety+Health Magazine·Sep 2, 2026

FMCSA will test two hours-of-service changes for truckers next year

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will launch pilot programs in 2027 to test changes to hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers. These tests aim to provide truckers with more flexibility while maintaining compliance with federal rest requirements.

Workforce
Learn why food is physical AI’s hardest problem at RoboBusiness
Robotics Business Review·Sep 2, 2026

Learn why food is physical AI’s hardest problem at RoboBusiness

Chef Robotics CEO Rajat Bhageria will discuss why food handling represents one of the most challenging applications for physical artificial intelligence systems. The complexity of food as a benchmark for robotics highlights the technical difficulties in developing AI systems for tasks requiring dexterity and adaptability.

AI & MLRobotics
Workers over age 50 may be facing a ‘sleep crisis’
Safety+Health Magazine·Sep 2, 2026

Workers over age 50 may be facing a ‘sleep crisis’

University of Edinburgh researchers studying 45 British workers aged 50-66 discovered that nighttime sleep disturbances occur more frequently than previously documented, revealing a hidden sleep crisis among older workers. Construction companies should consider this finding when managing aging workforces, as sleep quality directly impacts worker safety and productivity on job sites.

WorkforceSafety
AEC Business·Sep 2, 2026

Building a High-Rise in Takt: Material Management Is Key

Haahtela is constructing the Node high-rise using one-day takt scheduling with 50,000 work packages distributed across 600 takt areas to optimize workflow efficiency. Just-in-time material delivery is central to their strategy, ensuring supplies arrive precisely when needed to maintain continuous production without delays or excess inventory.

Materials
AIR to use Elmo Motion Control technology in uncrewed cargo aircraft
Robotics Business Review·Sep 2, 2026

AIR to use Elmo Motion Control technology in uncrewed cargo aircraft

AIR is integrating Elmo Motion Control's servo drives into uncrewed cargo aircraft to power electric aviation systems. The partnership combines Elmo's compact, high-power servo technology with AIR's electric aircraft design for autonomous freight operations.

AutonomyElectrification
Gen Z Rethinks Career Paths
Construction Executive·Sep 2, 2026

Gen Z Rethinks Career Paths

Gen Z workers are increasingly pursuing skilled trades careers as AI disrupts traditional office employment. The construction industry is benefiting from this shift toward hands-on, financially rewarding work that offers greater job security.

Workforce
Records Show File Transfers in Oracle-Procore Intellectual Property Dispute
ENR Construction Technology·Sep 2, 2026

Records Show File Transfers in Oracle-Procore Intellectual Property Dispute

Oracle and Procore are locked in a lawsuit with new evidence suggesting proprietary data about Textura's software integration capabilities may have been transferred between the companies. The dispute centers on intellectual property rights related to construction technology software.

AI & ML
‘What Great Owners Do’: New Report Links Owner Behavior to Project Success
Construction Executive·Sep 2, 2026

‘What Great Owners Do’: New Report Links Owner Behavior to Project Success

A new industry report identifies five owner practices that significantly impact project success, showing that owner behavior is just as critical as contractor performance. The findings suggest that focusing on these key behaviors can improve outcomes across construction projects.

Workforce
Trump Administration Takes Next Step in Ban on Foreign-Made Drones
AGC of America News·Sep 2, 2026

Trump Administration Takes Next Step in Ban on Foreign-Made Drones

The Trump Administration is implementing new restrictions on foreign-manufactured drones, which could affect construction sites that rely on imported drone technology for surveying, inspections, and project monitoring. Construction firms may need to evaluate their drone procurement strategies and consider domestic alternatives as these policies take effect.

Autonomy
How construction risk management software helps field teams document and reduce jobsite hazards
Fieldwire Blog·Sep 2, 2026

How construction risk management software helps field teams document and reduce jobsite hazards

Construction risk management software enables field teams to identify, document, and track jobsite hazards in real time, reducing accidents and improving safety compliance. Digital hazard documentation creates accountability and helps contractors implement preventive measures before incidents occur.

Workforce
Fewer Than Half Of Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs From July 2025 To July 2026, Even As Data Center And Factory Contractors Struggle To Hire
AGC of America News·Sep 2, 2026

Fewer Than Half Of Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs From July 2025 To July 2026, Even As Data Center And Factory Contractors Struggle To Hire

Most U.S. metro areas saw construction employment decline between July 2025 and July 2026, marking a challenging period for the industry. Data center and factory contractors faced particular hiring difficulties despite ongoing demand for specialized construction work.

Workforce
7 best Bluebeam alternatives for commercial and specialty contractors
Fieldwire Blog·Sep 2, 2026

7 best Bluebeam alternatives for commercial and specialty contractors

Bluebeam remains the dominant takeoff and markup software for construction, but several alternatives offer comparable features at different price points and with varying specializations. Contractors should evaluate options based on their specific workflow needs, team size, and budget to find the best fit for document management and collaboration.

Government Funding and Highway Programs Extended Through Mid-December
AGC of America News·Sep 2, 2026

Government Funding and Highway Programs Extended Through Mid-December

Federal funding for highway programs has been extended through mid-December, providing continued support for infrastructure projects across the country. This extension allows construction firms to maintain their project timelines and workforce planning without immediate budget interruptions.

Workforce
Construction labor management software that helps superintendents assign and track crew work in the field
Fieldwire Blog·Sep 2, 2026

Construction labor management software that helps superintendents assign and track crew work in the field

Construction labor management software streamlines crew assignments and work tracking directly in the field for superintendents. The platform helps optimize job site productivity by centralizing labor coordination and real-time progress monitoring.

Workforce
Estimation Transformation: AI Shortens Project Timelines
Construction Executive·Sep 1, 2026

Estimation Transformation: AI Shortens Project Timelines

AI-powered estimating tools are helping construction firms submit accurate bids faster as hyperscale data center project schedules compress. Modern preconstruction workflows powered by AI are becoming critical to compete on these accelerated timelines.

AI & ML
Top 10 robotics stories of August 2026
Robotics Business Review·Sep 1, 2026

Top 10 robotics stories of August 2026

August 2026's top 10 stories included large funding rounds, updates in the humanoid robot industry, and the latest physical AI models. The post Top 10 robotics stories of August 2026 appeared first on The Robot Report .

AI & MLRobotics
Safety board investigation of hydrogen sulfide-related deaths focuses on hazard recognition
Safety+Health Magazine·Sep 1, 2026

Safety board investigation of hydrogen sulfide-related deaths focuses on hazard recognition

The Chemical Safety Board is investigating a fatal April incident involving hydrogen sulfide and emphasizes that workers must understand chemical hazards, incompatibilities, and proper disposal procedures to prevent similar accidents. Proper hazard recognition and training are critical safety practices for construction and industrial operations handling dangerous chemicals.

Safety
See the Future of Construction with These Innovation Sessions at AU 2026
Autodesk Construction Cloud Blog·Sep 1, 2026

See the Future of Construction with These Innovation Sessions at AU 2026

AU 2026 will feature innovation sessions showcasing how forward-thinking leaders are transforming construction through creative solutions and new approaches. The event highlights visionaries who are challenging industry norms and driving meaningful change in how construction work gets done.

Workforce
Illinois law aimed at better restroom and hygiene access for women in construction
Safety+Health Magazine·Sep 1, 2026

Illinois law aimed at better restroom and hygiene access for women in construction

Illinois has enacted a new law requiring construction jobsites to provide female workers with separate restroom facilities, dedicated lactation spaces, and menstrual hygiene products. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Construction Site Temporary Restroom Facility and Sanitary Products Act to address workplace equity and health needs on jobsites.

Workforce
Learn how physical AI is being used to do real work at RoboBusiness
Robotics Business Review·Sep 1, 2026

Learn how physical AI is being used to do real work at RoboBusiness

Amazon Robotics, Teradyne Robotics, and Cobot leaders are sharing how physical AI is being deployed in real-world job sites to perform actual work. The discussion focuses on practical applications of AI-powered robots operating in customer environments.

AI & MLRobotics
Take the survey: workplace policies on traffic safety
Safety+Health Magazine·Sep 1, 2026

Take the survey: workplace policies on traffic safety

UNC Highway Safety Research Center is developing a practical handbook to help employers create effective workplace traffic safety programs. The researchers are surveying organizations and government agencies to gather input for the initiative.

Safety
Visko launches Orbis live model and closes pre-seed funding round
Robotics Business Review·Sep 1, 2026

Visko launches Orbis live model and closes pre-seed funding round

Visko has launched Orbis, a live video generation model capable of streaming 4K video at 24 frames per second while responding to user input without degrading quality over extended periods. The company has closed its pre-seed funding round to support development of this technology.

AI & ML
July Nonresidential Construction Spending Growth Entirely Due to Data Centers
Construction Executive·Sep 1, 2026

July Nonresidential Construction Spending Growth Entirely Due to Data Centers

Nonresidential construction spending grew in July solely because of increased data center investments, masking weakness elsewhere in the sector. Spending declined month-over-month across 8 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories, signaling mixed momentum in commercial construction.

AI & ML