Building Smarter With AI and Field-Driven Innovation

Jit Kee Chin, Executive VP and CTO, Suffolk, Suffolk Construction

Jit Kee Chin is a distinguished technology and analytics leader with a background in physics and strategy consulting. She is the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Suffolk, a national firm known for driving innovation in the built environment. In her role, Chin oversees the integration of data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies across the full construction lifecycle. She leads efforts from planning and design through to field execution, advancing safety, efficiency and performance at scale.

Recognizing Jit Kee Chin’s leadership in driving digital transformation across the traditionally low-tech and highly established construction industry, this exclusive feature offers a rare glimpse into the evolving intersection of technology and construction. Chin shares her insights on the challenges of modernizing a traditionally manual industry, the role of AI and robotics in shaping the future of building, and the balanced, field-driven mindset required to lead meaningful change in one of the world’s most complex and operationally demanding environments.

Reimagining Construction from the Ground Up

There’s real momentum in the industry to make construction faster, safer, sustainable and more rewarding for the people doing the work. For me, transforming the building experience starts with rethinking what construction can be, not just erecting structures but creating smarter, more connected systems.

We’re seeing increased adoption of AI tools that predict safety risks and drive efficiency, real-time dashboards that improve project visibility and digital workflows that reduce manual work so teams can focus on what they do best: building. This isn’t just about technology for technology’s sake. Our project teams and trade partners are pragmatic. They adopt solutions when those tools clearly solve real problems.

With a generational shift underway, there’s an appetite to challenge legacy processes. My role is to lead by example, invest in the right solutions, support our teams as they build new skills and show what’s possible when we align innovation with outcomes.

Balancing Today’s Priorities with Tomorrow’s Vision

As both CTO and Executive Vice President, I’m always balancing the present with the future. I stay close to project performance because we need to deliver measurable value today. At the same time, I think constantly about how our business and industry must evolve to stay relevant in the decade ahead.

“My role is to lead by example, invest in the right solutions, support our teams as they build new skills and show what’s possible when we align innovation with outcomes”

One way we manage this is by assigning different teams to different innovation horizons. While one team supports current projects and ensures operational success, another explores emerging technologies like AI-powered solutions, robotics and low-carbon materials. We pilot and evaluate new tools in a structured way before scaling. That approach helps us avoid chasing trends and ensures that every investment addresses a real need on the jobsite.

The Next Wave of Construction Technology

I’ve always believed in the power of predictive analytics, even though it’s now seen as traditional AI. In our industry, predicting and mitigating risk remains critical. We use predictive models to help teams identify risks tied to safety, schedule, or margin erosion so they can act before issues escalate. It’s already resulting in safer sites and better planning.

Right now, I’m particularly excited about generative and agentic AI. These technologies can automate repetitive tasks and serve as intelligent companions on the jobsite. Combined with expert systems, they could fundamentally change how we build. AI is also accelerating robotics through layout automation, progress tracking, on-site data collection and even drywall and welding are becoming automated tasks. We’re also starting to see adoption of teleoperated and autonomous equipment for trenching, excavation and lifting.

Beyond digital tools, innovation in materials and systems is moving quickly. Advances in low-carbon materials and energy efficiency are gaining traction, especially in commercial projects. Achieving price parity is within reach over the next decade. As pressure for a sustainable future increase, these innovations are no longer optional, they’re essential.

Leading with Perspective and Purpose

My global experience taught me that great leadership looks different in different contexts, but certain fundamentals always hold true: connect authentically, show genuine care and build teams with complementary strengths. No individual is perfect, but a strong team can get close.

Construction is, at its core, a people business. To drive change, stay close to the field, visit jobsites, listen to superintendents and understand how work really gets done. If you want to transform how people build, you first have to understand how they work today and what truly creates value.