Artificial Intelligence and the future of work in the construction industry: A systematic review

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been adopted in the construction industry for multiple tasks. While it was identified that AI has critical impacts on the future of work, few studies have explored the construction workforce. Existing studies mainly discussed the applications of AI on construction tasks, while a comprehensive review of how AI will influence the future of work in this sector is still lacking. To address the gaps, this study conducts a systematic review to investigate how AI will influence the future of work in the construction industry. Based on over 500 articles, 20 studies from 2020 to 2025 were reviewed to identify current trends and challenges in this field. Key findings reveal that current research trends include construction operations and AI, construction workforce education and AI, construction industry development and AI, as well as AI and relevant technologies. It was indicated that AI will not replace the labor workforce but will redefine some existing roles and create new roles in the construction industry. Main challenges include AI-related skills and training to develop the AI-skilled workforce, human-centered AI that emphasizes human-AI collaboration, and integration of AI and relevant technologies in the construction industry. Future studies could focus on human-centered AI development, AI-related training and education, and construction industry development with AI. Companies should pay attention to AI-related training, adjustment of roles, and transparent communication. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how AI could reshape the future of work in the construction industry and reveals future research directions, contributing to both workforce development and AI integration in this sector. The recommendations could also help foster a balanced, human-centric AI adoption process in the construction industry.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Future of Work, Construction industry, Systematic review, Workforce development

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006927