Exploring the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence in Managing Project Deliverables and Risk in Construction Projects: A Bibliometric Analysis

Construction projects are complex and multifaceted, requiring them to be executed within the constraints of cost, time, quality, and safety. However, achieving these objectives is often difficult because of inherent risks and uncertainties. These risks are amplified by the unique nature and the numerous interconnectedness of construction activities, which require expert judgement and coordination. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise the industry by providing powerful tools for handling enormous volumes of data and making accurate predictions. This study aimed to critically investigate the application of AI in risk management for specific project deliverables such as cost, time, quality, safety, and overall risks. The study examined 101 journal articles from 2013 to 2022. The finding shows that half of the publications were related to the application of AI in safety risk management. Still, its application in the cost, time, and overall risk management shows a lower coverage between 15 and 20%, while the quality risk is the least with only 2%. Machine learning dominates all other subfields by 50%. In contrast, automated planning & scheduling, optimisation, and robotics of the AI subfields were not applied in any of the specific project deliverables. The study findings suggest significant gaps in the application of AI on critical project objectives, which is alarming considering the increasing trend for AI research in the construction industry. Overall, the result discovers the potential for AI to transform risk management on construction projects and consequently improve future construction projects’ efficiency, quality, and safety.