The explosion of AI in the workforce has predominantly revolved around office jobs, highlighting how technology can enhance efficiency for those seated at desks.
However, another segment of the workforce has been largely disregarded — professionals such as plumbers, electricians, and field technicians.
Recent data from Sifted indicates that European construction technology startups, engaged in developing everything from construction materials to software and health compliance solutions, have secured €297 million in funding this year. If this momentum continues, they are projected to accumulate approximately €850 million by year-end, marking a staggering 140% increase from the €354 million raised in 2025.
Despite this growth, only about 12% of global trade companies are currently utilizing AI in their operations, according to a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors report from 2025.
As we enter 2026, a shift is emerging, with several innovative startups striving to penetrate the trades sector. Among them is Elyos AI, based in London, which creates AI agents designed to automate administrative tasks like out-of-hours customer service via voice and email, appointment reminders, scheduling, and sales. The company successfully raised $13 million (£9.6 million) in a Series A funding round this January.
According to Elyos founder Phillipa Brown, who has experience in operations at OVO Energy and is trained as an electrician, field service businesses contend with significant overhead due to manual administrative tasks unrelated to their core skills.
“Our belief is that AI agents will streamline and automate most of that administrative burden,” she asserts.
The company collaborates with various clients, including fire safety company Amax Fire, gas services provider GasCare, and property service firm James Frew.
Sifted had the opportunity to speak with Brown to explore how AI agents assist in streamlining operations, minimizing administrative duties, and enhancing productivity within the trades sector.
Why has AI in the trades services been overlooked?
Much of the dialogue surrounding AI and workflows tends to spotlight benefits for office employees. However, Brown asserts that the trades sector is “absolutely a market worth noting.”
Building tools that customers actually love to use and that are designed for them is where great products are created.
Misunderstandings persist concerning tradespeople’s willingness to adopt new technologies, but the Elyos AI team has recognized their significance.
“The challenge often lies in the tools not being tailored for them,” Brown explains. “That’s where Elyos steps in; we design AI agents specifically for this segment of customers.”
“Crafting tools that customers genuinely enjoy using and that cater to their needs is the hallmark of outstanding products. There’s no hesitance in adoption at all. When I talk to clients about our offerings, their enthusiasm for the technology and its potential to help their business flourish is palpable.”
AI in the trades sector: ‘The trades sector will become a safe space for young people to upskill’
Employees in the trades sector prefer to be out in the field, delivering services and focusing on their specialized skills, Brown emphasizes.
This understanding served as the foundation for Elyos in developing products that empower trade professionals to manage their time more effectively.
Many are suggesting that plumbers and electricians will become the new legal professionals of the next generation.
“We’ve observed rapid adoption of tools that facilitate answering phone calls, responding to emails, scheduling jobs, and coordinating with engineers,” Brown shares.
“These technologies take the mundane tasks off the plates of business owners, who recognize that these duties are necessary, yet often tedious.”
She compares smaller firms to larger corporations like Amazon and Uber, which offer automated, round-the-clock customer service, asserting that customer expectations are shifting accordingly.
Elyos’s out-of-hours AI agent and daytime customer representative can seamlessly integrate with a company’s booking platform, delivering real-time automated responses.
The startup’s AI sales executive manages lead follow-ups, organizes quotes, and maintains a tidy sales pipeline. Additionally, it features a field engineer AI assistant to help with job notes, timesheets, and job completions.
Humans will remain as plumbers and electricians, while AI agents will autonomously manage the office functions.
“Major companies like Anthropic and OpenAI will handle a substantial amount of office work and basic administrative tasks,” Brown indicates. “This paves the way for the trades sector to transform into a welcoming environment for young individuals to develop skills and secure meaningful jobs.”
“Just think of the productivity gains if booking and job scheduling didn’t consume so much time. Many believe that plumbers and electricians may soon rival lawyers as the essential professions of the next generation.”
The Elyos team recognizes that one of their chief challenges lies in promoting broader adoption and enhancing education surrounding AI, which they aim to improve in the coming years.
“The plumbers and electricians we collaborate with embrace products swiftly,” Brown notes. “However, assisting their teams requires more time and extensive training, a cultural shift that is occurring at a slower pace than we anticipated.”
Future of AI and the trades sector
In the next five to ten years, Brown envisions AI becoming a standard feature throughout the trades sector for administrative responsibilities.
“While humans will continue to be the plumbers and electricians, AI agents will autonomously manage office tasks,” she explains. “This includes handling customer interactions, scheduling, financial aspects, and payroll.”
“In the decades to follow, I foresee developers crafting humanoid robots capable of performing plumbing and electrical tasks independently.”
