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New research from The Access Group shows that around half of construction professionals now use AI at work – and almost all of them say it has been a force for good.
According to a survey of 1,134 employees across 12 UK industry sectors, conducted by GingerComms between 10 and 17 September 2024, on behalf of the Access Group, 52% of construction professionals surveyed use the technology. They say this saves them on average just under three hours a week. Around 94% believe it has positively impacted their workplace, and 83% say it has improved standards.
Overall, the survey found that half of all respondents use AI today. Unsurprisingly, tech professionals are leading the way at 74%, then HR at 68%, while those in the not-for-profit, and health and social care sectors ranked lowest at 29% and 30% respectively.
Construction sector employees cited reduced workloads as AI's biggest benefit, followed by cost savings and improved productivity.
The top five benefits of AI in construction were:
ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool, used by around 57% of respondents. Just over 65% also say generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, have helped to relieve stress or anxiety about their jobs.
Alex Boury, General Manager at Access Construction, part of The Access Group, said: "Tools like ChatGPT can help speed up routine tasks like writing emails.
"But advanced tools, including construction-specific ERP systems use AI and big-data processing to securely analyse huge amounts of data to help with cost forecasting, CVR and resource allocation.
"AI has the potential to be transformative to the sector, driving better decisions and providing insights to help companies build better across the sector."
However, the survey also uncovered a number of potentially worrying trends among construction professionals.
Around 41% admit they often use AI to complete tasks they were meant to do themselves, and 38% say they use the technology to get ahead in a way they wouldn’t tell their boss about. Over two-fifths (43%) also have concerns about data security, and 30% highlighted confidentiality as a worry.
Marko Perisic, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at The Access Group, said: “AI has taken off in a way that few people could have imagined – but left unchecked it can lead to some employees using it irresponsibly.
“Sometimes this is down to lack of training about the potential security risks but, according to our survey, a high proportion use it covertly to do their job for them, which is unfair on their colleagues and customers.
“Construction teams need a vendor who offers the highest data protection standards. Approved AI tools, underpinned by clear and regularly-updated policies and training, can help everyone to deliver a better standard of service, and get ahead in their careers without compromising company data.”
