AI adoption surges as digital anxiety grips the construction sector

• More than two in five construction professionals now use AI tools. 
• Almost three in five worry about being left behind without digital adoption.
• For the first time, more than half believe the industry is no longer a digital laggard.
• The use of digital tools for energy assessment has nearly doubled in two years.

NBS (powered by Hubexo), the platform for connected construction information, has released the Digital Construction Report, now in its 15th year. The 2025 findings, based on responses from over 550 professionals, reveal a sector undergoing a profound psychological transformation, marked by a rapid embrace of AI and a growing fear of being left behind. 

The report shows that the construction industry has reached a digital tipping point. While just five years ago AI was a niche technology used by less than one in ten professionals, today more than two in five have integrated it into their daily work. This five-fold increase signals a new era for a sector that has historically been cautious of new technology. 

This rapid adoption is coupled with a significant shift in mindset. Almost three in five professionals now express anxiety about their organisation falling behind without digital adoption, a sharp increase from just over a third in 2023.

AI as a daily tool

The report shows that AI is a practical tool being used today. The most common applications among architects, engineers, and specifiers are:

• Searching for technical information
• Drafting and reviewing text
• Analysing project data

This practical application is building confidence, with most users believing AI will significantly increase their productivity.

A newfound confidence

Paradoxically, this growing digital anxiety is matched by a newfound confidence in the industry's progress. For the first time, more than half of professionals believe the construction sector is no longer lagging behind other industries in digital adoption, a remarkable turnaround from previous years.

The report also highlights how environmental pressures are accelerating digital adoption. The use of digital tools for assessing energy and water demand has nearly doubled in two years, now used by almost two-thirds of professionals. This comes as the industry prepares for significant regulatory changes, including the Future Homes Standard and the introduction of Digital Product Passports.

Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, commented: "The rise in Artificial Intelligence defines this year’s findings, revealing a remarkable transformation. What we're seeing is no longer about whether to adopt new technologies, but how quickly organisations can embrace them. This psychological shift represents a pivotal moment for our industry."

The full NBS Digital Construction Report 2025 is available for download now, here.