In this Digital Edge interview, Built’s Chief Digital and Information Officer Kurt Brissett explains how digital tools like 3D models and AI are improving collaboration and outcomes in construction.

Kurt brings a fresh perspective to digital transformation in construction after a career in transport with the New South Wales government.

He joined Built with enthusiasm, noting that the company already values and understands the potential of digital technologies.

Built sees digital engineering as critical for reducing risk, improving efficiency across supply and procurement chains, and lifting productivity in an industry often seen as behind in this area.

Kurt says it is refreshing to be part of a company where the value of digital is already recognised at board level.

In his first 90 days, Kurt has focused on meeting teams across the business to understand their needs and where digitisation can have the most impact.

With projects ranging from stadiums and schools to hospitals and defence infrastructure, he is looking at ways to integrate data and AI into daily operations.

He highlights the growing role of 3D models, which are increasingly enriched by construction data and used as a single source of truth for collaboration.

These models support scenario-based planning, enable AI-driven design improvements, and help identify issues before they become expensive problems.

Kurt also points to the need for better digital collaboration across the wider construction ecosystem, including developers, subcontractors, regulators and government.

Built is working towards a shared digital environment where all parties can streamline planning, manage risk, and reduce cost more effectively.

By removing data silos and focusing on insights, the company can benchmark performance, reduce waste and rework, and improve sustainability.

Kurt believes this data-led approach is vital not only for individual project outcomes but for lifting the overall productivity and efficiency of the industry.

 

Key takeaways

  • Digital engineering is central to Built’s strategy – 3D models and AI are used to reduce risk, improve design efficiency and support better collaboration across teams.
  • Shared digital environments improve delivery – Built is building a common data space that aligns stakeholders to reduce cost, time and complexity in construction.
  • Project data drives long-term improvement – Using data across the project lifecycle helps benchmark performance, cut waste and strengthen sustainability outcomes.
Contributors
Kurt Brissett Chief Digital and Information Officer at Built
Kurt is an internationally renowned technology executive with over 25 years’ experience in the industry. He was awarded as the CIO of... More

Kurt is an internationally renowned technology executive with over 25 years’ experience in the industry. He was awarded as the CIO of the Year at the 2024 CIO50 Awards.

He is currently the Chief Digital and Information Officer at Built where he is spearheading a revolution in digital first construction. Kurt has recently joined Built after being the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Transport for New South Wales led the delivery of a AU$1bn portfolio of capital technology and digital initiatives in support of the Australia’s largest-ever investment in transport infrastructure ($72.3bn over 4 years). Kurt has been responsible for transforming the digital transport experience for the citizens of New South Wales delivering Opal, the first contactless transport payments system in the southern hemisphere, and several world first digital transport products and services. In 2020 Kurt was awarded with ‘Best Technology Project in Australia’, in 2023 was featured in the ‘Top 50 Global government innovators list’, in 2024 was awarded for leading the ‘World’s Best Digital Transport Agency’, before being named as ‘Number 1 CIO in Australia for 2024’ in the CIO50.

Kurt has worked in a number of senior technology roles internationally and domestically in both the private and public sector. Kurt was formerly an Army officer where he served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands and Indonesia, prior to working for Deloitte in business and technology transformation. From there Kurt worked with ASX listed infrastructure firms Leighton Group and Lendlease where he led large, multi-national technology teams.

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Gabby Fredkin Head of Analytics & Insights at ADAPT
As the Head of Analytics and Insights at ADAPT, Gabby Fredkin’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights to... More

As the Head of Analytics and Insights at ADAPT, Gabby Fredkin’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights to identify trends supporting organisations in Australia.

With a passion for creating stories with data, Gabby is consistently rated as one of the top speakers at ADAPT’s events. In roundtable discussions, he specialises in using statistics to initiate thought-provoking discussions, enabling ADAPT’s customers to become more data-driven.​

Using modern data science techniques, he provides ADAPT and its customers with confidence in the accuracy and validity of the information used for ADAPT’s research, advisory and events.

Working across artificial intelligence, machine learning, AI ethics, DevSecOps, end-user behaviour, and human-centred design, Gabby’s vast experience continues to grow, supported in part by a Master of Business Analytics from Deakin University.

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