The supply chain is coming back home, and for the construction industry that means more materials to procure, track, organize and manage. Because of this, the market is ripe for AI technology to facilitate this process. Construction Executive sat down with one of these companies breaking into this sector. Kaya AI CEO and Co-Founder Ojonimi Bako gives expert insight into the boom in procurement-tracking construction technology and how tech companies and contractors are working together to take advantage of this trend.
What was this technology founded to do?
The construction industry has long faced supply-chain challenges, particularly in data center and infrastructure projects—two of the most high-stakes sectors. Supply-chain delays can disrupt schedules and budgets, making productivity and efficiency critical.
New tech platforms that manage supply chains on mission-critical projects are revolutionizing supply chains by leveraging artificial intelligence, data analytics and automation. They’re enhancing procurement processes, enabling faster, more efficient and sustainable project delivery.
Supply-chain technology is the up-and-coming technology segment in construction right now.
$100 trillion in spending is expected over the next 15 years to build infrastructure, hospitals, life sciences, data centers, etc. The global flow of data and information continues to be a growing pain point, and the supply chain is responsible for over 40% of construction delays. Furthermore, contech investors are predicted to infuse more capital into supply-chain technology development than ever before.
Some of the nation’s largest general contractors have already implemented this procurement-tracking tech, helping manage billions of dollars in construction projects.
For example, Suffolk has adopted this technology, deploying it across projects to streamline procurement. On one project, it reduced a three-month process to one week, improved lead time accuracy by 90%, and cut procurement tracking time by 80%.
What is the most challenging aspect of managing supply chains in the data center and infrastructure sectors, and how do these new platforms address this challenge?
The biggest challenge in managing supply chains is preventing disruptions. Procurement-tracking tech tackles this by acting as an intelligent command center for procurement, consolidating communication, automating routine tasks and delivering real-time insights. By optimizing workflows from pre-coordination to post-delivery, it empowers teams to proactively manage risks, enhance operational efficiency and maintain project momentum.
Beyond just tracking, these platforms anticipate potential bottlenecks, providing early warnings and alternative solutions that help teams maximize productivity with fewer resources.
How do you foresee the boom in data-center building affecting these technology companies? How can they be prepared to handle pressures on the supply chain due to this boom?
The rising demand for data centers creates a substantial opportunity. These projects are complex, and the U.S. government’s push for rapid growth highlights the need for efficient supply-chain management.
These platforms utilize AI and data analytics to improve lead-time tracking, centralize communication and automate workflows, cutting procurement management time by up to 80%. With real-time intelligence and proactive delay avoidance, teams can effectively manage supply-chain issues.
How will the new administration affect this technology and the companies pioneering it?
With the new administration announcing the Stargate initiative to build mission-critical data centers nationwide, this platform will play a vital role in ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget to meet demand. The mandate to harness advanced technology in the U.S. will establish our company as a key partner in the data-center construction ecosystem.
In addition, as new tariffs and trade policies evolve it’ll be more important than ever for teams to have better visibility on the supply chain. This technology helps businesses navigate these changes by making it easier and 10 times faster to track and share updates on shipment statuses, expected lead times and any potential delivery disruptions—allowing teams to proactively adjust their strategies, reduce delays and maintain operational efficiency in an evolving trade landscape.
How important is sustainability to this technology initiative?
As green building regulations become more common and innovations in sustainable construction materials like cross-laminated timber gain traction, the demand for eco-friendly solutions is skyrocketing. We are committed to helping clients navigate these changes over time by streamlining access to sustainable materials and integrating new, reliable supply-chain sources and partners. By enabling efficient procurement and supporting the adoption of environmentally responsible practices, we aim to empower clients to meet their sustainability goals without compromising project scale or efficiency.
What makes these new platforms different than previous procurement-tracking tools?
Unlike traditional procurement tracking tools, emerging tech is being built as an AI-native platform designed to seamlessly integrate with existing systems while enhancing visibility and automation across the supply chain. It goes beyond basic tracking—it centralizes decision making, streamlines workflows, and can identify and help address potential scheduling issues more quickly, making supply-chain management faster, smarter and more intuitive.
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