## 5 Discussion
### Future Research  
In relation to future studies, the following avenues of research can be explored:  
* The exploration and evaluation of other processes in the AEC field to be automated. Every AEC enterprise comprises a set of business processes supporting the project development, such as procurement, invoice processing, payment, project reports, etc. When the project increases in complexity, these processes produce a large volume of transactions, requiring significant manual work. This complexity makes tasks susceptible to errors and creates bottlenecks due to a lack of operational capability. Therefore, there is a fertile field of research on the automation of AEC processes and achieving higher levels of efficiency. This research could also impact the current low productivity levels and digitalization of the AEC sector;
* The integration of RPA and AI has the potential to revolutionize numerous aspects of the AEC industry. RPA enhances process automation by managing routine tasks such as invoicing, data extraction, and report generation. Meanwhile, AI adds substantial value by predicting trends and providing actionable insights derived from data analysis. Another significant application of these technologies is in predictive maintenance, where historical data are utilized to forecast equipment failures or maintenance needs, thereby reducing downtime and extending asset lifespans. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants further improve customer service by handling inquiries, offering real-time support, and enhancing overall customer experience. Additionally, these technologies excel in data analysis and visualization, processing large datasets to uncover patterns and generate reports that support informed decision-making;* In the specific context of weather forecasting, RPA and AI can markedly enhance both the accuracy and efficiency of data collection and analysis. RPA automates data collection by integrating weather information from various sources into a centralized system, thereby improving the quality and comprehensiveness of forecasts. AI algorithms, on the other hand, process real-time weather data to produce up-to-date predictions. Machine learning models continuously refine these forecasts based on new data, enhancing their accuracy. Furthermore, AI's ability to analyze historical weather data reveals long-term trends and patterns, providing valuable insights into climate change and future weather scenarios. AI is also adept at detecting anomalies in weather patterns, such as unusual temperature fluctuations or extreme weather events, which enables timely warnings and improves project planning and scheduling;
* RPA tools, such as UiPath, which is applied in this research, have recently integrated more advanced AI capabilities into their platforms, enhancing the ability of businesses to automate complex tasks that require cognitive skills [104]. Integrating AI-driven models, such as natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, and machine learning, allows RPA bots to understand unstructured data, process documents intelligently, and make data-driven decisions in real time. These advancements are a step toward building hyper-automation solutions, where AI, alongside RPA, facilitates end-to-end automation processes, improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across industries [105];
* RPA technology allows users to perform automatic activities through the development of several bots working in coordination and supervised by other bots. Since processes should operate interrelatedly, RPA processes should also work through an orchestrated operation. This type of RPA use is known as RPA orchestration, and there is no evidence in the literature of studies related to the AEC field, opening new research avenues;
* Emerging technologies require new capabilities to implement and manage them over time. The current knowledge about RPA lacks a discussion of how this technology should be installed sustainably in the AEC sector, considering its particularities in terms of activities.