GEFIE 3 AI Hackathon – Broomfield Construction

Client: Broomfield Construction 

Event: GEFIE 3 – AI Hackathon 

Industry: Construction 

Date: 12 March 2026

Consultant: Samiul Hoque, Rufus Curnow

From AI Literacy to Working Prototypes: Broomfield Construction’s Hackathon Delivers Real Operational Tools

Broomfield Construction hosted a GEFIE 3 AI Hackathon in Ireland as part of its ongoing AI transformation programme with Dixon AI. The session brought together participants who had already developed foundational AI literacy and applied this knowledge in a structured, collaborative environment. By the end of the day, teams had built working minimum viable products (MVPs), demonstrating a clear transition from learning to execution. The event reflects Stage 5 of the AI Transformation Playbook, where collaborative experimentation begins to generate tangible business value.

Broomfield Construction entered the Hackathon having already progressed through earlier stages of the AI Transformation Playbook, including leadership alignment, organisation-wide literacy, and initial application. At this point in the journey, the focus shifts from individual experimentation to coordinated innovation. The Hackathon sits within the Iterate phase of the GEFIE model, where ideas are tested, refined, and developed into practical solutions through structured collaboration.

Objectives of the Event

• Translate earlier AI learning into practical, working solutions

• Enable cross-functional teams to build and test AI-driven tools

• Develop MVPs aligned to real operational challenges

• Strengthen confidence in collaborative AI development
  

What Happened During the Event Participants worked in small teams, each focused on developing a specific solution grounded in their day-to-day work. The emphasis was on building quickly, starting with simple use cases, and iterating based on immediate feedback.

Throughout the day, teams moved through multiple build-test cycles, supported by Dixon AI facilitators. The approach prioritised clarity of purpose and practical execution, helping participants stay focused on solving real problems rather than over-engineering solutions.

By the end of the session, most teams had produced functioning MVPs. These included tools to support programme planning, monitor fuel usage, analyse bills of quantities, and convert job programmes into procurement schedules. Some solutions also provided short-term forward visibility into scheduling and resource allocation, offering practical support for operational decision-making.

Alongside the technical output, the session reinforced key principles of AI product development: starting small, focusing on value, and working through common blockers that arise during build phases.

Key Insights and Takeaways Several patterns emerged. Teams that maintained a clear focus on purpose progressed more quickly. Simpler solutions often proved more effective when aligned closely to existing workflows. Iteration was central, with early versions refined rapidly into usable outputs.

These observations reflect a core principle from the AI Transformation Playbook: value emerges when domain expertise is combined with AI-enabled execution and shaped through practical judgement.

Impact The Hackathon marked a clear shift in Broomfield Construction’s AI journey. Participants moved beyond experimentation into delivery, producing working tools that can be further developed and embedded.

The presence of multiple MVPs at the end of the day demonstrates both capability and momentum. Teams showed they can identify opportunities, build solutions, and iterate quickly. This creates a foundation for scaling AI across the organisation.

The event also surfaced individuals capable of leading future AI initiatives, having demonstrated their ability to move from idea to execution in a structured environment.

What Happens Next Following the Hackathon, the focus moves towards refining and scaling the most promising solutions. Projects developed during the session can be prioritised, further tested, and integrated into operational workflows.

This progression aligns with the next stage of the AI Transformation Playbook, where successful experiments begin to inform broader strategy and governance. The organisation is now positioned to transition from isolated prototypes to coordinated implementation.

The Hackathon also provides a clear pipeline of initiatives that can feed into strategic integration, ensuring that future AI activity is grounded in proven, internally developed use cases.

Closing Insight The session demonstrated how quickly practical value can emerge when teams are given the space, structure, and support to build. AI transformation becomes tangible when people apply tools directly to their own work.

For organisations in construction, this shift from learning to building is where AI begins to influence operational outcomes in a meaningful way.

AI transformation in construction is increasingly defined by applied experimentation, collaborative learning, and the ability to turn ideas into working tools within everyday workflows.