Artificial intelligence (AI) has been on the roadmap of technological progress since the 1950s, but only recently has it picked up real speed. For decades, it hovered on the horizon, promising much, but often stuck in the slow lane due to limitations in computing power, data quality, and real-world application.
Today, thanks to advancements in machine learning and data analytics, AI has accelerated from theory to practice. It can now process volumes of data, uncover patterns, and even generaterecommendations – capabilities with far-reaching potential across industries.
According to a recent Work Trend Index Annual Report, 53% of business leaders expect AI toboost productivity. But in a traditionally risk-averse sector like construction, often likened to a slow turning ship, how do we shift gears? How can we embrace this technological momentum to reshape our tools, processes, and people?
Construction intelligence
The construction industry has historically approached new technologies with caution. Adoption is often slowed by fragmented data, siloed workflows, legacy systems, and a skills gap in digital literacy. Yet the potential benefits of AI are too compelling to ignore. From automating repetitive tasks and enhancing project forecasting, to improving decision-making and driving better outcomes for clients, AI represents a powerful lever for change.
At RLB, we believe that successful AI integration rests on four interconnected pillars: Data, Tools, Processes, and People. They are the foundation for reimagining how we design, deliver, and manage projects in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Let’s explore each in turn.
Data
Accurate data is the backbone of modern cost and project management. For decades, RLB has invested in developing this foundation, beginning in the 1990s with the creation of ROSS5D(Rider Owned Software System 5th Dimension), our in-house data platform. Today, ROSS5D and our region-specific cost libraries feed into RLB Nexus, a central data warehouse powered by AI and designed for global accessibility.
What makes this significant is not just the data itself, but how it is used. Nexus is currentlytraining AI agents to identify trends, generate benchmarks, and support evidence-based decision making, all while upholding strict client confidentiality. But this doesn’t mean we stop thinking critically. Instead, it gives us the tools to think faster and deeper, with data as our ally.
Tools
In this digital age, tools are evolving quickly, and so are the expectations for how we use them. RLB’s Global Digital Advance Committee (GDAC) recognised the potential for market evolutionand has been leading efforts to embed intelligence directly into our workflows through platforms like ROSS5D, which now integrates Building Information Modelling (BIM) models to enrich project data. AI is poised to take this further. For example, by automating the mapping of quantities and specifications directly from BIM, professionals can focus more on strategic analysis than manual input.
It’s no longer just about having the right tools; it’s about how intelligently and collaboratively we use them.
Process
As AI becomes further embedded in daily operations, traditional workflows are ripe for re-evaluation. Manual tasks such as tender comparisons, data collection, and contractor comparisons can now be automated, freeing professionals to concentrate on high-value, problem-solving activities.
To enable this shift, leadership must be proactive. Forming cross-functional AI task forces that include technical experts, domain specialists, and digital developers will help identifyinefficiencies and pilot new workflows.
And just as importantly, we must audit this innovation against ethical and practical standards, ensuring that human oversight remains central. Progress requires both a map and a moral compass.
People
As AI becomes capable of performing routine tasks more efficiently than humans, it challenges the traditional structure of project teams, particularly at the graduate entry level. But this is not a threat; it’s an opportunity.
Rather than replace early-career professionals, we must rethink how we train and deploy them. Critical thinking, communication, ethical judgment, and emotional intelligence will be more valuable than ever. Recruitment processes should reflect this shift, with an emphasis on hiring adaptable talent who can thrive in tech-enabled environments.
Construction has always been a people-first profession, built on relationships, trust, and pride in delivery. No AI system can replace the deep professional bonds that unite our industry. But with the right mindset and investment, we can ensure people and technology work in tandem, not in tension.
Where are we now?
AI in construction is no longer a hypothetical discussion, it’s a reality taking shape across data systems, digital tools, workflows, and talent strategies. At RLB, we are actively embracing this transformation; reimagining our roles, enhancing decision-making, and empowering our teams to thrive alongside technology while focusing on what matters most. Embracing AI andintegrating BIM is not simply a matter of upgrading our tools; it’s about building a new mindset – one that is human-centric, values-driven, and future ready.
The industry has spent years circling the roundabout of digital transformation – cautious, uncertain, and slow to commit. So, where are we now? We’ve taken the exit and are picking up speed on a road full of possibility.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Seb Davies
