AI in Construction: Everyone’s Talking About It, But Almost No One’s Using It

AI is frickin’ everywhere — except most construction pros still aren’t using it for work. A new global survey from Dewalt lays that out pretty clearly. The company polled about 3,400 construction pros worldwide to see how AI is actually being used in the trades and where it’s falling short. The result feels like a familiar story in construction — new tech always takes a while to integrate in this old school industry. Construction workers believe AI is cool and coming, but the industry is not currently using AI. Dewalt and friends seem to think the gap between those two things is training. From this press release:

“As jobsites become increasingly complex and technology-driven, the need for practical AI training has never been more important,” said Bill Beck, president, tools and outdoors, Stanley Black & Decker [the parent company of Dewalt]. “Our research shows that trades professionals are eager to develop and apply AI skills that will enhance their effectiveness and adaptability on the jobsite. Yet, too many still lack access to this essential training. At Dewalt, we believe that empowering our workforce with AI education is not just about keeping pace with technology — it’s about equipping tradespeople with the tools and knowledge they need to solve real-world challenges, drive productivity, and lead the industry forward.”

How the survey was built

Dewalt surveyed skilled tradespeople and decision-makers across six countries in December 2025, covering residential, commercial, and industrial construction. That’s a pretty impressive swath. The U.S. sample alone included 2,481 respondents, with 70 percent from the trades and 30 percent from leadership roles. The study also included a wide range of roles, from operators and electricians to engineers, safety managers, and procurement pros. I write about a decent amount of surveys. The research here looks better than most, so I’d say this is a grounded look at how AI is landing across real jobsites.

Belief is high but daily use is not

Right now AI is helping construction workers handle the parts of the job that involve data, planning, and decision-making. The strongest use cases right now are pretty practical. For early adopters, jobsite workflows come first. According to the survey:

• 46 percent report exploring AI in site operations and monitoring
• 46 percent report leveraging it in the planning and design phase of projects
• 41 percent are using AI to help with estimation, procurement, and supply chain processes

This data definitely aligns with where I see fleet managers struggling — paperwork, coordination, asset monitoring, and communication. Early adopters could reap the benefits, which go well beyond those just mentioned and also include increased productivity, utilization, security, safety, and cost savings. Start to add in things like predictive maintenance and machine control systems, and AI can become a powerful partner in a variety of ways. 

What Dewalt is doing with ABC

Dewalt is not just publishing the data. The company is trying to address the training gap directly. It has partnered with Associated Builders and Contractors to roll out hands-on AI training initiatives, including pilot programs and a monthly webinar series focused on real jobsite applications. The goal is to give both new and experienced workers a practical starting point for using AI. Here’s what that effort includes:

• A hands-on AI pilot program through ABC’s Central Florida chapter
• A monthly “AI Toolbox Takeaways” webinar series
• A $75,000 grant to the Trimmer Construction Education Fund

“Education is vital to bringing fundamental AI skillsets to our future workforce,” said Matthew Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation, in this press release. “Dewalt’s commitment to providing AI resources to craft professionals through its donation to the Trimmer Construction Education Fund will be invaluable to improving safety and productivity on jobsites. ABC thanks Dewalt for its generosity and dedication to lifelong learning in the construction workforce.”

What this means for fleet managers and operators

AI is not here to replace your crew. In fact, your jobs are probably more secure than mine. But soon, AI will be required as a support mechanism. There’s no getting around it. The biggest impact will come from how quickly teams learn to use it in everyday workflows. That includes planning jobs, managing equipment, tracking performance, and making faster decisions. The companies that invest in training now will be the ones that move faster later. The rest will be playing catch-up when AI becomes standard across the industry.