Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the global construction and infrastructure sectors. Yet, while digital transformation continues to accelerate, the success of AI in construction will ultimately depend not only on technology adoption, but also on organisational agility and adaptability. New research commissioned by Currie & Brown, a global leader in cost management, project management, and advisory services, underscores this dual imperative.
According to the firm’s report, Building certainty in an era of relentless change, 77% of global decision makers believe AI will become increasingly important in construction and infrastructure delivery over the next five years. Moreover, over half of respondents say AI already outperforms other digital tools when it comes to reducing project uncertainty. However, as the report makes clear, the organisations best equipped for the future are those that pair advanced technology with a culture of agility and innovation.
The widening gap between AI adopters and laggards
Currie & Brown’s survey of more than 1,000 senior decision makers worldwide reveals a widening divide between construction organisations that are embracing AI and those that are not. Currently, only a quarter (25%) of organisations are regularly using AI to identify, monitor, or mitigate risk in their construction projects, while one in five (20%) are not using AI at all.
The implications are significant. Among non-adopters, 48% say uncertainty itself has slowed their adoption of AI, while just 31% believe AI could help them manage that uncertainty. In contrast, among regular users of AI, 49% say that uncertainty has accelerated their adoption, and 65% believe AI actively helps them mitigate it.
This finding highlights a paradox: the organisations most affected by project uncertainty are the least likely to use the very technologies designed to reduce it. As the report warns, the result is an emerging two-speed sector, one in which forward-thinking organisations are leveraging data and predictive analytics to build resilience, while others risk falling behind.
Barriers rooted in culture and mindset
While technological capability continues to improve, the key barriers to AI adoption in construction are largely cultural. Among non-adopters, 40% cite a lack of in-house expertise, while 39% attribute their hesitation to resistance to change. These figures reveal that the challenge is not merely technical, it’s behavioural.
In many construction businesses, the traditional project delivery model has relied on static planning and reactive problem-solving. AI and digital construction management, by contrast, demand a proactive and iterative approach, where data insights inform decision-making in real time, and teams continuously adapt to shifting project variables.
This is where organisational agility becomes essential. Agility in construction doesn’t just mean faster project delivery; it means the ability to anticipate, respond, and adapt to change across the project lifecycle. It involves breaking down silos, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating a mindset that sees innovation as an opportunity rather than a threat.
AI as a catalyst for risk management and performance
The potential benefits of AI in construction project delivery are well-documented. From predictive analytics for cost and schedule forecasting to generative design, digital twin technology, and real-time risk monitoring, AI tools are helping project managers and asset owners enhance visibility and control.
Currie & Brown’s research reinforces this trend. Over three quarters of AI adopters report being very confident in their ability to achieve project goals, compared with significantly lower confidence levels among non-adopters. AI-enabled organisations are using advanced algorithms to model uncertainty, simulate outcomes, and improve decision-making at every stage, from design and procurement to construction and operation.
By harnessing AI, construction teams can identify potential disruptions before they escalate, optimise resource allocation, and improve safety and sustainability outcomes. Yet, as the report concludes, technology alone cannot deliver these benefits. Leadership and culture are the true differentiators.
Building certainty through agility
Sean Cole, Senior Director and Global High Tech Lead at Currie & Brown, summarises the findings with a warning and a call to action: “There’s a clear paradox. The organisations that most need technology to reduce uncertainty are the least likely to adopt it. That’s a risk in itself. AI has real potential to reduce risk, improve performance and strengthen delivery. But it’s not the starting point. Agile organisations are already ahead. They are quicker to spot risk and better equipped to manage it using tools like AI. That should be a wake-up call for the industry. Delivering certainty starts with mindset. It means thinking differently, acting faster and adapting continuously. Certainty and resilience aren’t just by-products of technology. They’re the result of deliberate, focused leadership.”
In other words, digital transformation in construction cannot succeed without human transformation. The organisations most likely to thrive in an era of disruption are those that combine technological investment with strategic agility, embedding adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning into their DNA.
The road ahead for AI in construction
As construction and infrastructure projects become increasingly complex, with growing pressure to deliver certainty amid economic, environmental, and geopolitical volatility, the case for AI adoption is stronger than ever. But the industry must overcome internal barriers to realise its full potential.
For construction leaders, the message is clear: AI is not a substitute for agility, it’s a tool that amplifies it. Building organisational resilience requires a holistic approach that unites digital technology with cultural transformation. Those who invest in both will not only manage uncertainty more effectively but also position themselves at the forefront of a more intelligent, adaptive, and sustainable construction industry.
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