Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping construction teams more often than reducing them, according to a recent report from the Berkeley Research Group (BRG). As AI continues to integrate into the construction industry, business leaders must adapt to new team structures and skill requirements to stay competitive.
What Happened
The BRG survey, conducted in July 2026, gathered insights from 109 executives involved in AI implementation, focusing on 65 respondents from North America. Among these, 46% reported changes in team structures due to AI, while 38% retrained employees to adapt to new technologies. Interestingly, while 18% of respondents added headcount in specific areas, only 11% reduced their workforce as a result of AI adoption. This trend highlights AI's role in transforming rather than diminishing the workforce.
The report also revealed substantial financial investments in AI, with over two-thirds of respondents spending at least $250,000 on AI technologies in the past two years. However, only 15% of these executives had fully integrated AI across their projects and operations, indicating room for growth in AI adoption.
Richard Fultineer, managing director and head of global construction at BRG, emphasized the importance of recruiting team members capable of managing AI applications. The shift in team dynamics includes creating new roles (29% of respondents) and adjusting hiring criteria to focus on AI-related skills (20%). Additionally, 31% of companies redeployed staff to different tasks, and 51% modified their reliance on external vendors and consultants.
What This Means for Your Business
For AECM professionals, the integration of AI presents both opportunities and challenges. The potential for improved efficiency in cost estimating, procurement, design review, and compliance is significant. AI tools can analyze construction drawings for errors or omissions and use historical project data to refine cost calculations.
The financial commitment to AI indicates a shift towards technology-driven growth, but the lack of skilled talent remains a barrier. Companies must invest in training tailored to various construction phases to close this skills gap. Encouragement from senior management is crucial to normalize AI usage and drive efficient outcomes.
Compliance and accountability also present challenges, with construction reporting the lowest policy coverage for human oversight (42%) and accuracy (34%) compared to other sectors. This gap could expose companies to liability for AI-generated errors, underscoring the need for robust governance frameworks.
What US Operators Should Watch
As AI technology continues to influence the construction industry, decision-makers should monitor several key areas. Federal funding opportunities for AI integration may arise, providing financial support for companies willing to invest in technology. Compliance with emerging regulations, such as CMMC and NIST standards, will be critical to mitigate risks associated with AI.
Companies should also track the performance of AI tools, focusing on estimating accuracy, schedule adherence, and project outcomes. These metrics will help evaluate the return on investment and guide future AI strategies.
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