AECOM acquired Norwegian AI startup CONSIGLI for 4 billion NOK (approximately $390M)

AECOM, the global infrastructure engineering firm, acquired Norwegian AI startup CONSIGLI for 4 billion NOK (approximately $390M).

The companies had previously partnered on several projects. Consigli founder and CEO Janne Aas-Jakobsen will join Aecom as head of AI engineering.
Consigli provides an AI platform branded “The Autonomous Engineer” for engineering automation including space analysis, MEP loadings, plant room optimization, and automated report generation. The company claims its technology reduces engineering time by up to 90%.

The acquisition marks a shift in the AEC software landscape, where engineering firms typically purchase software from vendors rather than acquiring the technology companies themselves. For Aecom, owning proprietary AI technology offers a competitive differentiator as project margins face pressure and clients demand data-driven insights.

The deal signals growing convergence between construction services and embedded software capabilities, potentially pushing other AEC firms to develop their own technology strategies rather than relying solely on third-party vendors.