U.S. leads the world in AI for the built environment
More than four in 10 (42%) architects, engineers, and city planners in the U.S. use artificial intelligence (AI) tools on a daily basis, and nearly one-third use AI “every few days” to assist in their work. When it comes to the adoption of AI tools for the design and planning of the built environment, the U.S. leads the way among 10 major countries studied by Arup, according to a new survey of more than 5,000 architects, engineers, and city planners conducted by the engineering giant.
On a global scale, 36% of design and planning professionals use AI tools daily, 31% use AI “every few days,” and a vast majority (85%) expressed excitement about the use of AI for the built environment (only about 8% of respondents view AI as a risk to their job). The study looked at AI usage rates across Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S.
These findings are backed up by data from a recently released survey of nearly 700 architecture and engineering firms across the U.S. and Canada by software and solutions provider Deltek. The 46th Annual Deltek Clarity Architecture and Engineering Industry Study found that 53% of firms surveyed are leveraging AI tools, up from 38% in 2024.
The most common applications for AI tools, according to the two studies, are related to design modeling/analysis and business development. Business process automation applications like creating proposals and marketing content, extracting and summarizing data from documents and drawings, scenario planning, and data analysis and exploration were cited as top applications by respondents.
On the design side, popular AI applications include design concept generation, conceptual development, and design analysis and calculation, according to the research studies. Other applications: machine learning–based data analytics and data-based predictive analysis, science-based AI, large scale simulations, and evolutionary algorithms to tackle complex project work, according to the Arup report. “[Respondents] reported using these AI-powered solutions for work including decision making and scenario planning, project management, design work, and enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency,” the report authors wrote.
The authors of the Deltek survey dispel any concerns over AI replacing jobs at their firms. While nearly one-third (32%) of AEC firms surveyed see “reduced overhead costs” as a key benefit of AI adoption, “most firms do not expect AI to reduce headcount, reinforcing the view of AI as an enhancement rather than a replacement,” according to the report.