AI Reshapes Construction Teams More Often Than It Cuts Jobs, BRG Survey Finds

Artificial intelligence is altering construction team structures more often than it is reducing headcount, according to a Berkeley Research Group report. Among North American respondents, 46% changed team structures and 38% retrained employees due to AI, while 18% added headcount in certain areas and 11% cut it. More than two-thirds of North American respondents invested at least $250,000 in AI over the previous two years, including 37% that spent $1 million or more. Yet only 15% said they had fully integrated the technology across projects and operations. BRG surveyed 109 executives involved in AI implementation in July 2026, with most findings reflecting 65 North American respondents. Eight in 10 surveyed North American builders use AI to evaluate and plan proposed projects. Adoption barriers persist: 40% cited a lack of skilled talent or expertise, and 43% flagged liability for AI-generated errors as a concern restricting use. Construction reported the lowest policy coverage among four sectors surveyed for human oversight and accountability, at 42%.