Artificial intelligence presents the construction industry with both enormous potential and pressing challenges, according to a global report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The AI in Construction 2025 report, based on responses from more than 2,200 professionals worldwide, found that optimism around AI is high: nearly 70% of project managers and quantity surveyors believe AI will help them deliver greater value.
However, adoption remains low, with 45% of organisations reporting AI use. Just 1% have scaled AI across projects.
Survey respondents cited a lack of skilled personnel (46%), poor data quality (30%) and system integration challenges (37%) are seen as barriers holding back adoption.
Investment in AI is rising, although it remains uneven
A quarter of firms plan to increase spending on AI in the next 12 months, even as 28% have no plans and 22% remain unsure.
The report warns of a widening gap between investment ambition and organisational readiness. Many firms are preparing to spend on AI despite widespread skills shortages, raising concerns about whether investments will deliver real value.
Looking ahead, 40% expect AI to have its biggest impact in shaping smarter, faster project design over the next five years.
The report also highlights strong optimism around AI’s role in scheduling, risk management, and cost control. RICS warns that overlooking these critical areas could be a missed opportunity, and calls for industry, government and professional bodies to collaborate on clear roadmaps, ethical guardrails and upskilling initiatives.
“Strong leadership” is needed to deliver the responsible use of AI
Maureen Ehrenberg FRICS CRE, acting president-elect at RICS, said: “This timely report provides a valuable global snapshot of how professionals across the built environment are thinking about AI – where they see potential, what’s holding them back and how prepared they feel. The challenge now is to ensure AI is adopted responsibly, ethically and in ways that deliver real public good.”
Anil Sawhney, head of sustainability at RICS, said: “RICS’ AI in construction 2025 report reveals that the construction sector is at a tipping point. Despite the hype in the media, over 2,200 global responses to our Global Construction Monitor survey reveal low adoption with a growing confidence in AI’s potential.
“To achieve tangible progress, our sector must focus on high-quality data, compelling value propositions, organisational readiness and strong leadership to champion the responsible use of AI.”
The post Optimism high for AI in construction but skills shortages hold back adoption appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
