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Dive brief:
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents described their construction companies’ level of AI adoption maturity as “average,” while 22% referred to it as “above average,” according to BuiltWorlds Annual AI Benchmarking Report 2025.
- When asked if AI was a core strategic focus across the enterprise, 35% of respondents said it was exploring its potential but he had yet to fully embrace it, according to a press release highlighting the report. Of those surveyed, 4% said, “No, AI is not currently a core strategic focus for us.”
- BuiltWorlds, a Chicago-based research firm, based its data on its 2025 AI Benchmarking survey, which included responses from 53 people representing 30 organizations, BuiltWorlds told Construction Dive via email. The majority of participating organizations, 82 percent, were general contracting firms, and 40 percent of respondents generated more than $5 billion in revenue.
Diving knowledge:
When asked why they were adopting AI, respondents were almost unanimous: nearly 100% of respondents said that “improving operational efficiency and productivity” was the main driver of their work, according to the press release.
With this in mind, the report notes that companies are using AI to bolster core business functions rather than pursue cutting-edge innovation, the statement said.
However, some of these respondents, who also included subcontractors, specialist firms and engineers, had reservations about the technology. For example, 62% cited “data privacy and security concerns,” 58% noted a “lack of in-house expertise or qualified staff,” and another 56% said “limited data availability or quality.”
Despite these obstacles, builders’ enthusiasm for AI is high, Audrey Lynch, director of research at BuiltWorlds and author of the report, said in the statement. Meanwhile, 2% of respondents said they were “skeptical” about the technology.
“It’s important to note that these challenges likely stem from the relative immaturity of the technology and the industry’s historical resistance to widespread innovation,” Lynch said.
Additionally, companies with more than $5 billion in revenue are 45 percent more likely to describe their AI maturity level as “above average” compared to those with less than $5 billion in annual revenue, Lynch told Construction Dive via email.
The report joins a growing body of studies and surveys that reach similar conclusions, while most builders are optimistic about AI and its potential benefits, adoption remains low.
However, larger contractors are employed there in an AI arms race to gain an edge over their competitors. Swedish construction company Skanska and Watsonville, Calif.-based Granite Construction have it they promoted their own AI offerings. Skanska’s Safety Sidekick combined its EHS manual, OSHA construction standards, and supplemental safety documentation into one platform, and Granite’s Asphalt Guru helps the contractor train their asphalt paving team with a collection of informational and safety documentation, including DOT standards and industry articles.
