A new report by the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) expects artificial intelligence in the built environment to be worth £268bn by 2034
Adoption of AI in construction is on a continual rise, especially for use as collaborative tools, according to SMI.
AI is further being used in smart buildings to put efficiency and sustainability first.
AI in construction can affect all stages of work
AI is being utilised in concept development, design, long-term operation, and maintenance as the world becomes more urbanised.
The SMI report, titled ‘Building Intelligence: Applying Artificial Intelligence to Revolutionise the Built Environment’, focuses specifically on three SMI members: Foster + Partners, Trane Technologies, and Johnson Controls.
Not only does the report explore the uses of AI in construction, but also looks at where more responsibility should be taken to avoid issues in using the technology.
Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, M.V.O., CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, said, “AI has the potential to fundamentally reshape the buildings and construction sector. This isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about sparking unprecedented innovation that turns environmental stewardship into a core commercial advantage.”
Dave Regnery, chair and CEO of Trane Technologies, said: “AI transforms building performance and lifecycles, boosting sustainability, efficiency, and cutting waste, leading to unmatched economic benefits for owners and managers. This isn’t just tech hype; it’s a reality proven by today’s AI-driven successes.”
The report can be read in full here.
RIBA also expects high impact
Earlier this week, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) released the results of its Future Business of Architecture survey, which included a section on the expected impact of Artificial Intelligence on the architecture profession.
The survey found that 88% of architects felt that AI will be more important for their organisations’ business by 2035, and 50% felt that it will have a ‘transformational effect’ on the profession.
Furthermore, only 10% of those surveyed felt that the briefing, concept design, and spatial coordination stages would not be affected by AI, digitalisation, and automation.
Report co-author and RIBA director of publishing and learning content, Helen Castle, said: “The most interesting takeaway from the qualitative research was that, although architects feel that AI will become increasingly more important by 2035, they don’t believe that it will lead to a demise in the demand for soft skills and business development. Quite the reverse, in fact, the ascendance of AI will lead to human relationships, communication skills, ethical decision-making and critical thinking taking on even greater significance for the future business of architecture.”
The post AI in construction expected to boom appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
