Construction Firms: AI Adoption Hindered by Data & Security

Most U.S. construction firms are interested in artificial intelligence, but few are actually using it. Many companies are struggling to translate their interest into measurable business value. Surveys show that AI adoption remains limited. One global survey found 45% of firms have no AI implementation, and another 34% are only conducting early pilots. In the U.S., fewer than 1 in 5 contractors are actively adapting workflows for AI. The main problem isn't a lack of AI tools; it's that operational models, digital foundations, and internal controls are not ready. Many firms face a "Big Data Problem," with 74% of U.S. contractors rating their data quality as poor or moderate. This data is often unreliable, inaccurate, and inconsistent, spread across fragmented platforms. AI is only as useful as the data it runs on, and construction data was rarely structured for machine use. This leads to inconsistent cost histories and disconnected records. Furthermore, governance and security are major concerns. Without clear policies for data ownership and access, firms are hesitant to implement AI. Over 40% of firms cite data-sharing security and intellectual property risk as barriers. This issue highlights the need for robust data and infrastructure before meaningful AI adoption can occur.