Is the Construction Sector Ready for Artificial Intelligence?

The adoption of AI in the AEC industry promises significant benefits in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and new design and delivery prospects. Companies are interested in implementing AI but lack an understanding of its application possibilities and tools to assess AI compatibility with their demands and corporate objectives. Therefore, we created a tool for a qualitative assessment based on the examination of seven AI readiness dimensions to aid enterprises’ decision-making when adopting AI technology for industrial deployment. The methodology was tested through an online survey targeted to experts and practitioners in the construction industry around the world. The findings show that the industry is still behind the minimum requirements for introducing AI ubiquitously in its processes; however, the proposed evaluation tool will help focus investments toward the right AI readiness dimensions.