Survey reveals 88% of professionals have increased technology use, but AI knowledge remains limited.
Construction and engineering professionals across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe are rapidly embracing digital technologies, with 88% accelerating their adoption over the past year, according to new research from Strata.
The 2025 Strata Report: Digital Transformation in Construction, based on responses from over 250 professionals representing more than 170 companies, found that nearly 70% are using these digital tools to drive smarter decision-making and innovation across the sector.
“By combining deep engineering expertise with digital innovation, we can accelerate delivery and build the resilient infrastructure we need”
The research identified siloed workflows as the primary barrier to digital adoption, followed by time constraints driven by limited training capacity and industry-wide labour shortages. Skills gaps ranked third, highlighting the need for targeted training and strategic hiring of digital capabilities.
Knowledge gaps
AI knowledge remains a significant challenge within the industry. The survey found that 81% of construction and engineering professionals report only basic or moderate understanding of Artificial Intelligence. More than 71% believe AI will be critical in shaping the sector’s future, yet over half of companies surveyed have not implemented formal AI training for their teams.
Sustainability presents another area where digital tools remain underutilized. While 85% of professionals said sustainability will become more important over the next one to three years, only 5% report significant progress in using digital tools such as carbon calculations and whole-life assessments.
“With the Government’s National Planning Framework prioritising accelerated housing delivery, and the Climate Action Plan placing new demands on infrastructure and sustainability targets, meeting construction demand will require greater efficiency and new ways of working,” said Enda Grimes, director and founder of Strata.
“In this context, digitalisation and AI are no longer optional efficiency tools — they are essential levers for delivering on national ambitions.”
Grimes emphasised the importance of bridging the skills gap through collaboration with digital experts who understand the construction industry’s practical complexities.
“Our research shows that while digital adoption is gaining momentum across the sector, a significant gap in skills and applied knowledge remains in our industry. Addressing this challenge requires collaboration with digital experts who not only bring strong digital capability, but also understand the practical complexities of engineering and construction.”
He added: “As Ireland’s population continues to grow, the need to improve our infrastructure becomes more urgent. By combining deep engineering expertise with digital innovation, we can accelerate delivery and build the resilient infrastructure we need.”
Main image: Enda Grimes, director and founder of Strata
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
