SURVEY CONDUCTED
When it comes to digital technology in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), there’s often a gap between buzz and reality. To understand what’s actually happening on the ground, a global survey gathered responses from over 500 AEC professionals across 49 countries – most of them working at small firms with fewer than 50 employees.
The goal? To get a clearer picture of how tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI) are being used today, and how that might change in the next decade.
The results show a mix of optimism and hesitation: 62.5% of respondents plan to adopt at least one major digital trend in the next five years, while 37.5% don’t plan to adopt any at all. BIM came out on top as the most widely used and trusted tool, while AI is gaining interest but isn’t quite there yet.
The survey doesn’t just highlight what tools are trending – it also shows what’s holding people back, and where support is most needed as the industry moves forward.
BIM: THE TECH EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT — AND ACTUALLY USING
Among all the digital tools in the AEC space, BIM (Building Information Modeling) isn’t just leading the conversation — it’s leading in real-world use. The recent global survey ranked BIM highest across the board: most familiar, most used, and most likely to still be around in 10 years.
BIM used to be seen as something only large firms could afford to use. But now, smaller studios are not just catching up — they’re leading the way in adoption.
In fact, 68% of respondents already use BIM, and 65% of users say it gives them the highest ROI of all digital tools. What’s more, 35% have had clients specifically request BIM on a project — a clear sign that demand is growing not just from within firms, but from the market itself.
The biggest barrier for firms that haven’t adopted BIM? It’s not budget. It’s training. 56% of non-users said they simply don’t know how to use it confidently. And even among adopters, getting started often meant navigating real challenges — from training teams and adapting workflows to working around software limitations.
But the payoff? Worth it.
As BIM becomes more mainstream — especially among smaller practices — one thing is becoming clear: this is no longer just a tool for big players. It’s quickly becoming the industry standard.
Where things stand right now?
86% expect it to be widely used within 10 years — more than any other tech trend surveyed
51% say AI is already moderately present in the industry
25% have already adopted AI tools
43% of those who haven’t yet plan to in the next 5 years
AI: THE NEW KID THAT IS GROWING FAST
AI is still pretty new in AEC, but it’s catching up fast. While it hasn’t reached BIM levels of adoption yet, it’s already generating serious attention — and showing signs of becoming a major player in the near future.
Here’s what makes AI so unique: it’s easier to start using than you might think.
In fact, 36% of adopters said they didn’t need any new tools, training, or changes to get started. Tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, or Vectorworks’ AI Visualizer make it possible to test the waters without a massive investment.
The real challenge?
Just knowing where to begin. Familiarity is still fairly low:
Only 4.8% feel extremely familiar with AI.
But 37.5% say they’re moderately familiar — a strong sign that people are learning, fast.
AI’s real strength? It helps automate repetitive tasks, frees up time, and gives creatives more space to focus on design and innovation — not admin.
SO, WHAT IS ACTUALLY STOPPING TEAMS FROM USING TOOLS LIKE BIM AND AI?
Turns out, it’s not just about cost or complexity – it’s about training, tools, and confidence.
For BIM, the biggest hurdle is lack of training, with 56% of professionals saying they simply don’t feel prepared to use it. AI isn’t far behind – half of respondents cited the same issue. Without the right support, even the most promising tools can feel out of reach.
Other barriers pop up too:
Limited software capabilities were an issue for 20% of BIM users and 36% of AI users.
Not enough budget held back 37% of BIM adopters and 27% of those looking into AI.
WHAT IS THE BIG PICTURE?
Construction isn’t what it used to be — and that’s a good thing. The industry is shifting, slowly trading in spreadsheets and hand-drawn markups for smarter, faster, more connected tools. BIM is already the go-to for many teams. AI? Still early days, but the curiosity is real.
What’s holding things back isn’t a lack of interest — it’s things like training gaps, software that doesn’t quite fit, or budgets that just aren’t there yet.
But here’s the bottom line: digital tools aren’t ‘nice to have’ anymore. They’re becoming the new normal. The firms that adapt now won’t just keep up — they’ll lead.