Mark Fessenden, Managing Director of the IFSA directs the conversation about how Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the construction industry. From proposal generation and contract review to predictive scheduling and automated document control, AI-enabled tools are already embedded in the software many contractors and manufacturers use every day.

But life-safety systems are different.

When automatic sprinkler systems are designed, installed, inspected, and maintained, the stakes are not productivity alone, they are human life, property protection, and community resilience. As AI begins influencing project management, compliance review, risk assessment, and inspection data analysis, the industry must confront a critical question:

Can we trust AI in life-safety applications?

This IFSA webinar brings together industry leaders, engineers, contractors, insurers, and technology experts to explore the practical and ethical implications of AI in fire protection. The discussion will examine where AI is already delivering value, where caution is warranted, and how governance, data quality, and professional oversight must evolve alongside emerging technologies.

Participants will explore:

• Where AI is currently being used in fire protection and construction management
• The reliability and limitations of AI-generated outputs
• The role of human verification in life-safety systems
• Governance frameworks and cybersecurity considerations
• How AI may influence regulatory compliance and inspection practices
• The long-term impact on workforce development and professional responsibility

Rather than approaching AI as either a disruptive threat or a silver bullet, this session will provide a balanced, informed discussion focused on dependable outcomes and industry integrity.

As AI capabilities expand globally, the fire protection community must ensure that innovation strengthens, not weakens, the trust placed in life-safety systems.