A new survey from Bluebeam has documented the widespread use of AI technology in every facet of the AEC industry. 

According to their survey of management employees in seven countries, around three-quarters (74%) of all businesses have implemented AI into their workflows. This is especially true in the design and planning stages of projects. It’s worth noting, however, that only 11% of responses came from architecture firms. Of the others, 71% are construction and 18% are engineering firms.

In the way of a broader adoption of digitalization and AI stands a lack of training amongst staff, which, at 32%, was the highest tallied reason ahead of general resistance to change within organizations (26%), concerns about data privacy (22%), budget constraints (19%), and other issues.

Also in terms of budgeting, the highest number of responses (40%) to a query said they are currently allocating between 11% and 25% of their IT resources to AI technologies. Cost reductions totaling between $100,00 and $250,000 were the most common result at 21%, and, unsurprisingly, the other results registered were an increase in efficiency/productivity, project planning/organization, better quality control, and reduced errors.

This trove matches closely the numbers presented in a Deltek report from May which surveyed 650 A&E professionals, concluding that 62% have begun using AI to augment their daily operations despite apparent lags in skill-based learning preventing further utilization. 

North American firms were shown to be slightly more inclined to the overall use of AI technology. You can compare these latest findings from the recently announced AIA Firm Survey Report and RIBA Artificial Intelligence Report here and here.