Construction Embraces AI as Adoption Surges from 15% to 75% in Just Two Years

Artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from the margins to the mainstream of construction project management, according to new research by the Association for Project Management (APM) and Censuswide.

The survey of 1,000 project professionals across multiple industries shows a dramatic change: three-quarters of those in construction say their organisation now deploys AI in projects. That compares with just 15% in 2023. A further quarter of respondents said their organisation is preparing to adopt AI soon.

Back in 2023, nearly two-thirds of project professionals in construction said their employers had no plans to introduce AI at all. In 2025, that position has completely reversed: every respondent reported either using AI or preparing to do so.

Where AI Is Delivering Value

Among construction organisations already applying AI, respondents highlighted several areas of benefit:

• Resource allocation (62%)

• Reporting and dashboarding (58%)

• Risk analysis and forecasting (52%)

• Task and schedule automation (48%)

• Stakeholder communications (45%)

Usage has also grown faster than anticipated. More than four in five professionals in construction (82%) said they are using AI more frequently than they expected five years ago.

A Shift in Optimism

The research points to a remarkable change in perceptions of AI. When asked in 2023, only 6% of construction project professionals said they thought AI would have a “very positive” impact on their sector. By 2025, that figure had jumped to 62%.

Respondents identified the most promising advantages of AI as:

• More accurate data analysis (60%)

• Freeing up time for higher-value strategic work (52%)

• Stronger cyber security (43%)

• Support for decision-making (42%)

• Lower project costs (40%)

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Challenges in Skills and Integration

Despite the optimism, barriers remain. Among those already working with AI, significant concerns include:

• Security and data privacy (56%)

• Gaps in technical knowledge and training (49%)

• Reliability and trustworthiness of outputs (46%)

• Integration with existing workflows (41%)

  
  

The findings underline the critical importance of training and upskilling. James Doherty, project controls specialist at BMT, stressed the responsibility that comes with using AI tools:

“You have to feel suitably qualified and experienced before you should be using AI to generate any work for you. It’s about assurance — you have to sign your name at the bottom of anything you’re delivering. New tools are appearing almost daily. The challenge is implementing them safely, at scale.”

APM: A Defining Shift for the Profession

The speed of adoption is being mirrored across other sectors, though construction remains one of the fastest movers. In engineering, AI uptake has risen from 35% to 73% in two years, while in transport it has jumped from 36% to 71%.

APM chief executive Adam Boddison said the change reflects a wider transformation in project management:

“The pace at which AI is transforming project management is remarkable. In just two years, we’ve seen a rapid shift in adoption levels in the construction sector, with the vast majority of project professionals now working alongside AI tools to plan and deliver better outcomes. This isn’t about replacing project managers, but about enabling them — freeing up time, enhancing analysis, and improving decision-making.”

He added that the responsibility now rests with organisations to invest in capability:

“What our survey shows clearly is both the opportunity and the responsibility: organisations must continue investing in training and support, to enable project professionals to feel equipped and confident to use AI effectively, safely and ethically. The future of the profession will not be defined by AI alone, but by how people use it to create real value.”