AI in Construction: Measurable Results, Unclear Benchmarks

Construction organizations are spending real money on artificial intelligence (AI)—but few know what they are getting back.

BRG’s AI in Construction: Measurable Results, Unclear Benchmarks report draws on a survey of construction and development executives in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to show where AI is creating value, how it is reshaping teams, and why the industry has yet to agree on how to measure the return.

Key takeaways include:

• Nearly seven in ten organizations have invested at least $250,000 over the past two years. AI now touches every phase of construction—yet only 15 percent of executives say AI is fully integrated across their businesses.
• AI is more likely to deliver better outcomes than faster ones. Across most functions, more respondents reported gains in efficacy—quality, performance, and outcomes—than in efficiency.
• AI is changing how teams work instead of shrinking headcounts. More organizations added staff (18 percent) than reduced it (11 percent) because of AI.
• Double-digit cost savings are common across every project phase, but no single yardstick has emerged to capture AI’s full value—and too narrow a definition may limit opportunity.

BRG experts offer five best practices for builders and owners looking to scale AI while also managing its risks.

This is the fourth installment in BRG’s AI Industry Spotlight Series. Read part 1, AI in Retail: In Pursuit of Meaningful AI Adoption; part 2, AI in Energy: A New Imperative; and part 3, AI in Financial Institutions: Staying Ahead in the AI “Arms Race.”