AI-driven digital overlays and cloud integrations streamline construction workflows on site.
United States, August 13, 2025
A new industry report and recent developments signal a turning point for construction technology as AI, data and automation begin reshaping planning and project execution. The report highlights massive scale—construction represents roughly 13% of global GDP—and estimates a large productivity opportunity if firms close digitization gaps. Many organizations still rely on paper-based processes, losing time to searching for data and rework. The coverage also notes rising legal and competitive risks after a trade-secret suit and a cloud-native model-checking product that integrates with major construction platforms, underscoring the race to digitize and modernize workflows.
A new industry report and two major developments this month underscore a turning point for construction technology. The report finds that AI, data and automation are already changing how projects are planned and run, while long-standing digitization gaps and workplace shifts mean many firms are only beginning to capture the gains on offer. At the same time, a high-profile legal dispute has been filed in federal court alleging trade-secret misappropriation tied to competitive product launches, and a model-checking software vendor launched a cloud integration that links into two leading construction platforms.
The inaugural industry survey behind the report collected views from more than 1,200 construction decision-makers across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Respondents highlighted strong interest in automation and connected historical data: over 80% said linked past project data is critical to success, while 76% of civil and infrastructure builders acknowledged they are not yet fully using their data’s potential.
A majority of participants expect automation to be a major disruptive force within the next five years. The report positions AI-driven scheduling, workforce allocation and real-time cost tracking as early targets for measurable gains, while cautioning that technology must be used to augment skilled workers rather than replace them.
The report highlights workforce pressures: almost 250,000 workers are expected to retire over the next decade in the markets covered, accelerating the need for digital fluency on the jobsite. The authors frame construction as a people-first industry, arguing that hands-on expertise will remain central even as automation handles more routine tasks.
Separately, a federal court complaint filed in the Northern District of California alleges that a former vendor integration lead transferred thousands of confidential documents when moving to another firm in 2021. The complaint asserts the materials included source code, customer data and strategic research and that the alleged transfers helped accelerate development of a competing payments platform. The plaintiff is seeking monetary damages and a court order to prohibit use of the contested material. The defendant has publicly stated the claims are without merit and intends to defend the case. The case is logged under the district court number 3:24-cv-07457.
A software vendor announced a new cloud-native model-checking product designed for architecture, engineering and construction professionals who use modern BIM tools. The product integrates with two widely used cloud platforms and is positioned as an easier, lower-effort alternative to some native BIM and model-checking workflows. Initial availability began in January 2025 for the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, with broader rollout planned thereafter. The vendor also incorporated recent cloud-based model-quality technology through an acquisition to bolster its offering.
The combined picture is clear: construction represents a huge market with a lot of manual, paper-based work still in place, which creates significant “low-hanging fruit” for digitization. Industry-scale spending and large productivity gaps mean that even incremental efficiency gains can unlock substantial economic value. At the same time, legal and competitive risks are rising as firms race to add features, integrations and payments tools that touch sensitive data and legacy vendor relationships.
For owners, contractors and technology teams, the near-term focus is likely to be on connecting historical project data, reducing rework, and piloting AI-driven scheduling and resource planning. Longer term, firms that pair technology adoption with workforce training and process redesign will be best positioned to capture the sizable productivity opportunity.
The report finds the industry remains one of the least digitized globally, with many firms using paper-based methods, substantial time lost to searching for data and rework, and widespread agreement that connected historical data and automation can drive major gains.
Construction accounts for roughly 13% of global GDP and around $10 trillion in annual related spending. Research cited in the report estimates a roughly $1.6 trillion opportunity to close productivity gaps.
A federal lawsuit has been filed alleging that a former vendor integration lead transferred thousands of confidential documents when changing employers, enabling competing product launches. The case seeks damages and an injunction; the defendant disputes the claims.
A cloud-native model-checking tool that integrates with major construction cloud platforms launched in January 2025 in several markets. The tool aims to simplify BIM model quality checks and integrates recent cloud-based technologies obtained through acquisition.
Priorities include connecting historical project data, reducing rework, piloting AI-driven scheduling and allocation, and investing in digital skills for a workforce facing large retirements and shifting role demands.
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Scale of construction | Represents ~13% of global GDP and about $10 trillion in annual related spending, signaling large market potential. |
| Digitization gap | Industry consistently ranks low in digital maturity; paper-based methods still common in ~40% of firms. |
| Measured inefficiencies | About 18% of project time lost searching for data; 28% lost to rework—clear targets for tech gains. |
| AI and automation impact | Seen as disruptive within five years by many leaders; expected to improve scheduling, allocation and cost tracking. |
| Workforce trends | Nearly 250,000 retirements expected over a decade; digital skills increasingly critical on the jobsite. |
| Legal and competitive risks | Trade-secret litigation highlights risks tied to staff moves, integrations and rapid platform launches. |
| New integrations | Cloud-native model-checking tools now integrate with major construction cloud platforms to streamline BIM quality checks. |
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