Newforma buys Lumi AI to set an accuracy standard for project-data answers
What's the deal? Newforma, a project and information management company for architecture, engineering, construction and owner firms, has acquired Toronto-based Lumi AIDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Lumi's analytics engine turns plain-language questions into explainable answers, and terms were not disclosed.
What's the endgame? Newforma wants to be the single view into every system a project already uses — design tools, document systems, email, Teams and field records — rather than force firms into one source of truth. Lumi's engine will be integrated into Newforma platforms, drawing on more than 20 years of project-data structure covering issues, RFIs, submittals and communication history.
Why it matters: Newforma says project AI should pass three tests: answers must be explainable, verifiable against source data, and accurate enough to act on when liability is on the line. Lumi's engine asks clarifying questions when a prompt is vague, shows its logic, and flags data-quality problems it finds.
"Our customers don't need another AI that sounds confident, they need answers they can verify," said Peter Cannone, chief executive officer of Newforma. "We would rather be the single view into all of them."
Lumi co-founder and chief executive officer Ibrahim Ashqar said the firm was built "to make it as simple as asking a question," adding that Newforma's data and customer base "unlocks far greater value for a much wider audience."
The signal: The deal fits a broader shift in AEC software toward owning the project-data layer rather than bolting on generic chatbots, echoing Trimble's move for Document Crunch and Procore's purchase of DatagridDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Newforma had already launched Vojo, an assistant for searching project information, so Lumi deepens that strategy. The real test is whether the combination delivers reliable, source-grounded answers across messy records — and that will hinge on integration and demonstrated accuracy.
Read more: prnewswire.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
