London, 28 November 2023: In a bold move to transform the construction industry, the AIRCONS Consortium is leading the charge with a revolutionary AI-powered solution aimed at empowering subcontractors and reshaping the dynamics of legal disputes. Against the backdrop of unprecedented legal complexities, the construction sector witnessed a staggering £27.7 million in average dispute value in 2020, with a remarkable 76% involving contractor-subcontractor relationships. AIRCONS consortium are holding a workshop where leading experts will address this issue and to provide insight into Ai (NLP) contract reviewer Technology.

Navigating Industry Challenges:

The construction industry faced a record-breaking 4,143 insolvencies in 2022, comprising 19% of all company insolvencies in England and Wales. The AIRCONS Consortium recognizes the confluence of challenges, including the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, inflation, and rising energy prices, and is committed to providing legal & commercial advisors & subcontractors with tools to navigate contracts effectively.

Leadership Voices at the workshop:

Len Bunton FRICS FCIArb, Principal at Bunton Consulting Partnership, construction disputes expert and award winning conflict resolution personality, expressed his enthusiasm to address these challenges at the upcoming workshop. "I am pleased to speak at the AIRCONS workshop to share examples of clauses that, in my experience, lead to disputes. This exclusive event is tailored for contractors and subcontractors, offering insights into the intricacies of contracts."

Liam Forry MCIArb, Managing Director of Forry Commercials Limited and construction disputes expert specializing in the mechanical and electrical engineering services sector of the construction industry, will share insights on contract nuances and recent dispute case studies. He stated, "I aim to demonstrate the severity of issues surrounding disputes and potential liabilities arising as a consequence."

The Aircons project is due to begin on 4th September 2023 and is scheduled to run for six months. It is part of Innovate UK's mission to support businesses in developing and realising the potential of new ideas that drive productivity and economic growth.

Dr. Mohammad Nazir OBE, Head of AIRCONS Consortium, emphasized the pivotal role of technology acting as an aid to mitigating disputes arising from onerous contract clauses. He stated, "Recognizing the vulnerability of subcontractors who often lack the resources for legal support, the AIRCONS Consortium is developing cutting-edge technology using Ai (NLP) to revolutionize the way subcontractors review their contracts. This technology of course will not replace legal and commercial experts but will speedily alert the subcontractors which clauses could cause potential issues which should be addressed by legal/commercial experts and also enable renegotiations with the contractor”.

Professor Hafiz Alaka, Head of Ai and BigData Lab at the University of Hertfordshire, highlighted the potential of technology to mitigate disputes and potential insolvencies. "I and my team will explore innovative ways in which AI (NLP) and big data technology can be harnessed to address concerning contract clauses and safeguard against disputes, insolvencies and job losses."

Johnson Oluwadele, Founder and CTO of J-Wadel Solutions, a leader in AI, Document Extraction and Cloud Technology for innovative digital solutions, expressed the vision to steer AIRCONS from idea conception to a finished product. "We hope to empower subcontractors with user-friendly and easy-to-use software applications that provides guidance on contract implications and possible remedial actions." He emphasised, “We want to enable all construction subcontractors to work with Clarity and Confidence”.

Welcome Initiative

Reducing Conflicts arising in the first place within the Construction Industry, RICS has successfully cultivated a burgeoning network of dedicated construction industry professionals who prioritize conflict avoidance and early intervention.

According to RICS, "The financial repercussions of disputes within the construction industry extend into the billions of pounds. Conflict not only inflicts considerable financial strain but also poses immeasurable harm to business relationships and brand reputations. Recognizing this, a growing number of influential infrastructure entities are spearheading a transformative shift, integrating conflict avoidance mechanisms to proactively address and manage potential conflicts." RICS has spearheaded a pivotal initiative in the form of a conflict avoidance pledge, which has garnered commitments from numerous leading construction companies.

Media Contact:

Communications Team: info@aircons.tech

AIRCONS workshop:

Website: https://aircons.tech

Workshop Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/aircons-39409125253

About AIRCONS Consortium:

The AIRCONS Consortium, comprising legal and commercial experts, AI and big data specialists, and business development professionals, is at the forefront of innovation. Through cutting-edge technology and collaborative initiatives, AIRCONS is committed to empowering subcontractors and fostering a transparent, efficient, and resilient construction ecosystem.

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