BSI’s recent “Trust in AI” survey of more than 10,000 adults from nine countries (including Australia, China, the UK and the U.S.) sheds light on current attitudes toward artificial intelligence.

The report found that that while the United States is the third-most mature AI market globally, the traditionally technology-lagging industry of built environment is severely lacking structure, training and transparency around tech adoption.

A few report findings:

• Nearly two-thirds (63%) of built environment and building businesses do not have an AI strategy
• Only 41% of the built environment say they are informing customers about use of AI, ranking at the bottom compared to other sectors
• 76% of built environment and construction companies are investing in AI technology, yet over a quarter (26%) do not think their company is investing nearly enough
• More than half (59%) say AI tools should be embraced even if some jobs change or are lost as a result
• Nearly a quarter (24%) of businesses in the sector are not currently investing in AI—higher than the average (19%)—and 14% say they do not expect investments for at least the next five years
• 78% of construction firms are using AI to identify and manage risk

This sector’s rating was 1.94 out of 5—coming in second-to-last after healthcare.

RISE IN FALLS

The rate of falls to a lower level in construction increased 13.3% from 2011 to 2022, as the raw number of falls jumped by 52.7%, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data by The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). The majority of those falls, 70%, occurred at smaller companies that employ 10 or fewer employees, according to a July 31 CPWR webinar.

Of construction jobs, roofers had the highest number of fatal falls in 2022.

The construction occupations with the highest number of fatal falls, slips and trips in 2022, according to the most recently available public data:

1. Roofing Contractors 100
2. Residential Building Contractors 63
3. Commercial and Institutional Building Construction 31
4. Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors 26
5. Framing Contractors 25

Read the full report here