The construction industry is on the cusp of a digital transformation powered by AI, but a new global report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) highlights both opportunities and hurdles.
According to the AI in Construction 2025 report, which surveyed over 2,200 professionals worldwide, adoption of AI remains limited – 45% of organisations report no use of AI, while only 1% have scaled AI across projects. Yet optimism is high, with nearly 70% of project managers and quantity surveyors believing AI will help deliver greater value.
Design optioneering is seen as the key frontier for AI, with 40% of respondents predicting it will have the biggest impact on shaping smarter and faster project designs over the next five years. The report also identifies significant barriers to adoption, including skills shortages (46%), poor data quality (30%), and system integration challenges (37%).
“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.”
Maureen Ehrenberg FRICS CRE, Acting President-Elect, RICS
Investment intentions are increasing, though unevenly. A quarter of firms plan to boost AI spending in the next 12 months, while 28% have no plans and 22% remain unsure. RICS warns that this gap between investment ambition and organisational readiness could limit the tangible benefits of AI in construction.
Despite these challenges, the report points to strong potential for AI in scheduling, risk management and cost control. RICS emphasises the importance of collaboration between industry, government, and professional bodies to establish clear roadmaps, ethical guardrails and upskilling initiatives.
“RICS’ AI in Construction 2025 report reveals that the construction sector is at a tipping point. Despite the hype in the media, our survey shows low adoption alongside 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 responsible AI use.”
Anil Sawhney, Head of Sustainability, RICS
