The future of AI in construction: Uses & predictions from 14 experts

It’s a phrase you’ve heard for months: AI is the future of the AEC industry. It’s the new industrial revolution that will help your company be more effective than ever. But, when seeking to improve processes with AI, a question often remains: what are the proven, actionable ways that people can benefit from AI construction technology today?

Repeatedly, we’re seeing that AI construction companies work best in supportive roles: utility, logistics, and middleware. 

Across every application, experts are finding that AI in construction works best as an assistant and companion, not a replacement. It is proving to be a master organizer, able to track inventory, prevent schedule-derailing crises, and take the guesswork out of timelines and supply chains. 

AI can already help you today, whether you’re a huge enterprise AEC company or a small-to-medium-sized construction firm. 

Here are some takes from your peers in the industry about the real ways they see AI changing how they do business – and their predictions for the future. Consistently, they’re seeing the benefits in a few specific roles.

1. Construction logistics and organization are improving with AI

Reinventing RFIs

“The biggest disruption AI will bring to construction is eliminating the flood of RFIs that stall projects. We’ve worked with contractors on massive shade installations where 12% of total hours were chewed up responding to repetitive information requests that could’ve been answered by a smart system. Imagine a tool that reads your entire project spec and spits out verified answers in seconds. That’s where AI can kill $100,000 in wasted time on a mid-sized job.

AI won’t just answer RFIs, it’ll prevent them. We’re starting to feed historic job documentation into an internal AI so it can identify points where specs were misinterpreted or documents conflicted. The AI flags it during design, not during the build, when it costs 3x more to fix. Our recent dairy shade project in Ontario saved us a projected 47 labor hours just from this alone.

Everyone’s betting AI will optimize design. That’s a safe answer. The real shift? It’s in breaking the endless back-and-forth that happens once construction starts. Every RFI is friction. AI’s going to sand it down to nothing.”

– Barbara Robinson, Economist and Senior Marketing Manager, WeatherSolve

How to use AI-assisted writing in your construction proposals Find out how software like Shred.ai can help you write proposals more efficiently. From pulling compliance criteria verbatim to helping find relevant assets to make a better pitch, Shred.ai can rip through the busywork and let you focus on the important, strategic parts of proposal writing!

Your construction supply chain expert

“Having been in real estate for over 13 years, I’ve seen AI starting to transform how we handle construction timelines and material logistics, especially in larger developments. Last quarter, we used AI planning tools on a multi-family project that reduced our material waste by 25% and kept us ahead of supply chain hiccups. I really believe the biggest impact will come from AI’s ability to predict and prevent costly delays before they happen, though we’re still learning to trust the system’s recommendations.”

– Barry L Smith, Founder and CEO, Homesmith

“As someone newer to real estate, I’m amazed by how AI is revolutionizing resource management on construction sites; it’s like having a super-smart assistant that knows exactly what materials you’ll need and when. Just recently, I visited a project where AI predicted they’d run short on concrete three days before it actually happened, saving them thousands in potential delays. While it’s not perfect yet, I think predictive resource allocation will be huge for keeping projects on budget and on schedule.”

– Bennett Heyn, CEO, Sell House

Interconnected smart devices

“As a second-generation garage door business owner who’s witnessed our industry evolve over 30+ years, I see AI’s major disruption in construction coming through inventory and supply chain management. We recently overhauled our parts inventory system at Gecko Garage Doors, cutting our overstock issues by 25% and reducing emergency supply runs by nearly 40%.

The most positive emerging trend is smart integration systems that communicate across platforms. Five years ago, garage door openers were standalone devices. Today, we’re installing LiftMaster systems with built-in Wi-Fi that connect to home automation hubs, security systems, and even package delivery services.

The desert climate in Phoenix creates unique challenges for construction materials and mechanical systems. Our technicians now use thermal imaging to diagnose issues before they become failures – something unimaginable when I started helping my dad as a kid with a wrench.

This technology transition hasn’t been seamless. We’ve invested heavily in training our five service technicians on these new integrated systems, but the payoff has been substantial – happier customers, faster service times, and the ability to serve more properties across the West Valley with the same-sized team.”

– Preston Hiller, Business Owner, Gecko Garage Door Repair Service

2. How AI is improving construction safety and compliance

Improved inspection that saves money

“From my experience installing smart home systems, I’ve noticed AI’s biggest impact will likely be in real-time monitoring of construction quality and safety compliance. Just last week, we used AI-powered thermal imaging to spot insulation gaps in a new build that would’ve been missed by human inspectors, and I can see this technology becoming standard practice for ensuring construction quality while reducing costly rework.”

– Yannick Leenders, Owner, Verbruick

“As someone deeply involved in real estate financing, I’ve noticed AI dramatically improving risk assessment in construction projects. Recently, we funded a mixed-use development where AI analysis helped identify potential structural issues early, saving our client nearly $200,000 in potential rework costs. While we still rely heavily on human expertise, I believe AI will become essential for more accurate project timelines and budget forecasting in construction lending.”

– Edward Piazza, President, Titan Funding

Watching for danger and saving lives

“AI-driven design tools — like generative design and advanced BIM (Building Information Modeling) — are going to seriously cut down on planning errors and rework. That’s great for keeping projects on time and budget, but it also means fewer hours for folks who usually make a living fixing mistakes or adjusting work on the fly. 

For example, layout crews and some trades may see less work as robotic layout systems and AI-generated plans reduce on-site guesswork. It’s efficient, but it could edge out the old-school flexibility some of us bring to a site. If you’re not upskilling, you might find yourself sidelined.

On the flip side, one of the most exciting trends is AI being used to spot danger before it happens. Think smart wearables that warn workers about fatigue, or site cameras that flag unsafe behavior or structural stress. It’s like having a second set of eyes — one that never blinks. 

This kind of tech could genuinely save lives and reduce injury rates, especially in high-risk trades. Plus, predictive maintenance on equipment can stop costly breakdowns, keeping small crews like mine moving without expensive downtime.

AI won’t replace every wrench-turner, but it will change the game. Staying ahead means learning to work with the tech — not waiting until it works without you.”

– Andriy Boyko, A.O. Handy Inc.

Keeping construction honest

“The major shift is real-time AI auditing during jobs. Construction’s biggest blind spot is documentation. We’ve seen it in roofing with poor before-and-after records, vague material use, and billing that relies on trust instead of proof. Now, imagine drones and fixed-point cameras uploading 4K footage to AI that flags incorrect installs or missing safety gear instantly. That’s not sci-fi. We’re testing it right now on 34 active jobs in Texas.

What this means is no more ‘he said, she said’ with GCs and subs. AI captures the moment the underlay goes down or a permit isn’t posted. We had a crew try to skip a ridge cap install to save time — they didn’t know the site drone caught it and flagged it in less than 10 minutes. That install got fixed, and the job still closed same day. You can’t fake quality anymore.

Forget the idea that AI will just assist. It’s going to watch and remember. Every decision. Every shortcut. It’s going to make construction honest again, whether people want that or not.”

– Nathan Mathews, PropTech CEO, Roofer.com

3. AI’s future impact on construction design and planning

People are finding several uses for AI in civil engineering and construction, specifically during the design stage of the process.

Standardizing construction pricing and job flow

“What AI will disrupt isn’t the guy on the shovel or up in a roof cavity. It’s the coordinator sitting in an office sending jobs to tradies and overcharging for it.

AI quoting tools, scheduling bots, and remote diagnostic apps already wipe out the need for someone to “triage” jobs manually. I’ve tested a tool that analyzes a customer’s video and sends a repair quote within 90 seconds. It cut my admin time by 63%. That’s me sitting in the ute with less paperwork at 8 PM.

I believe no one talks enough about how AI is going to clean up the pricing racket in trades.

We’ve all seen blokes charge $320 for a simple washer replacement because the customer didn’t know better. Smart pricing algorithms will eventually expose that crap. And once customers get real-time market comparisons from AI, the cowboys will get filtered out. That means more honest work for those of us playing straight.”

– Caleb John, Director of Sales and Marketing, Exceed Plumbing

Ensuring you start your construction project right with design and planning

“The part of AI I’m most hopeful about is its role in design and planning — because that’s where we lose a ton of time and money right now. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve broken ground only to find out the drawings don’t match field conditions, or the materials spec’d are either backordered or not workable on that particular site. So we waste days, sometimes weeks, figuring it out midstream.

AI can cut through that. Tools are emerging that can run clash detection, optimize layouts, and even recommend more cost-effective or sustainable materials — all before the first shovel hits dirt. Picture a future where the design you get is fully buildable, tailored to your specific site and supply chain realities, with far fewer surprises. That’s huge.

And honestly, it gives contractors a better seat at the table earlier in the process. We can bring our field knowledge to the design phase and let AI help translate it into smarter plans. That’s not just efficiency — that’s dignity in the work, for everyone from foremen to engineers.”

– Mike Pasanen, Owner, Miko LLC

Improving construction software modeling

“Builders and developers still quote utilities using outdated “per square meter” assumptions. But AI will use location-specific consumption forecasts, based on occupant profile, appliance mix, and microclimate. I mean, two identical homes in Adelaide can vary by 17 percent in energy costs based on user behavior. That precision will expose overestimated allowances and force developers to rethink how they market “energy efficient” claims. It’ll hurt lazy specs.

What’s working better now is real-time energy modeling with smart meters during open-home phases. One of our partners installed trackers during staged showings and presented buyers with 72-hour real-use profiles. It helped close a $780,000 townhouse by proving the cost-to-run at just $3.11 per day. Data beats pitch.”

– Benjamin Tom, Digital Marketing Expert and Utility Specialist, Electricity Monster

4. More accurate construction timelines

“Right now, delays happen because site managers still eyeball plumbing timelines. I’ve seen $12,000 in plaster damage because pipe pressure testing happened after Gyprock. AI-powered project sequencing will rip out those errors. But here’s the catch — it’ll also expose sloppy planning. That means small firms that rely on “winging it” will be priced out. You’ll either meet the AI’s expectations or lose the job entirely.

On the flip side, prefab plumbing units are gaining traction. Instead of running copper onsite, you install pre-cut PEX modules that slot into frame voids like Lego. We started using them on mid-rise builds last year, and it cut our labor hours by 38%. We saved around $7,200 across three projects. That’s no small number when margins are tight.

So, AI will punish sloppy workflows, but modular thinking will reward precision. The winners will be the ones who prep smarter, not just faster.”

– Caleb John, Director, Exceed Plumbing

5. Construction finances: Using AI for more accurate forecasting

“As CRO at Nuage, I’ve seen construction firms struggle with financial control in volatile economic conditions. The major disruption I expect from AI is in project financial forecasting and risk management. Working with IFS Cloud implementations, we’re seeing AI tools that can analyze thousands of data points to predict cash flow issues and cost overruns before they happen – something that previously relied on gut feeling and experience.

One client reduced their contractor spend by 47% by implementing AI-driven project forecasting that identified overlapping work packages and optimized resource allocation. This isn’t just about saving money, though — it’s changing how decisions are made at every level of construction projects.”

– Louis Balla, CRO & Partner, Nuage

6. Climate control

“As the Operations Leader at Task Masters, I’ve watched how technology is reshaping our landscape and home renovation business in Minnesota. The major disruption I expect from AI in our industry is automated climate-responsive design systems that will dynamically adjust outdoor living spaces based on weather patterns and usage habits.

At Task Masters, we’re already seeing this disruption begin with our StruXure pergola installations. These “smart louvers” automatically respond to rain sensors and can be controlled via smartphone, giving homeowners unprecedented control over their outdoor environments without manual adjustments.”

– Christopher Deanovic, Vice President of Operations & Integrator, Task Masters Inc.

Are you ready for the future of AI in construction?

AI’s usefulness in the construction industry extends beyond the job site. As these experts have highlighted, it is also revolutionizing how firms grow their business.

Companies like OpenAsset are dedicated to providing AI-powered tools, like Shred.ai, that help remove busywork, freeing up strategic work. 

Want to learn how AI can help make your proposal writing easier? 

Take OpenAsset’s Proposal Power Index quiz. From collaboration to ease of content access, this will reveal if your proposal process is showcasing your strategic and creative thinking – or burying it. 

Find out where you fall on the Proposal Power Index, and get ready to unleash your creativity: