Is Construction Becoming Intelligent? Exploring the Sector’s Readiness for Generative AI

Advancements in pretrained deep learning models, including diffusion models and large language models (LLMs), have enabled generative AI to significantly impact various industries, including construction. This technology offers potential to automate tasks, optimize designs, enhance planning, and improve decision-making within the sector. However, its adoption varies due to differing levels of firm preparedness. Therefore, there is a need for a systematic understanding of organizational preparedness, barriers, and potential solutions. This paper presents a survey-based study examining construction firms’ readiness to integrate generative AI, assessing factors such as data handling, infrastructure, personnel, financial resources, and workflows. It also investigates the impact of firm size and revenue on AI readiness, identifying distinct clusters of firms with varying preparedness levels. Data from a structured survey distributed across the United States to local, regional, and national contractors were analyzed using exploratory and inferential statistics, revealing significant differences and distinct preparedness profiles among firms.