London, UK – August 19, 2026 – The property and construction sectors are experiencing a significant surge in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a substantial increase in organizations experimenting with the technology over the past year. However, a comprehensive new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reveals a persistent challenge: many firms are struggling to transition these promising pilot studies into routine, integrated professional practice.
The RICS AI in Commercial Property and Construction Report 2026, which analyzed over 3,100 responses from industry professionals globally, indicates a clear upward trend in AI integration. In the construction industry, approximately two-thirds of professionals reported using AI in some capacity, a notable increase from just over half in 2025. The commercial property sector demonstrates even higher engagement, with more than three-quarters of respondents indicating some level of AI utilization.
Despite this widespread experimentation, the report highlights a common hurdle: the successful scaling of AI initiatives. Both the construction and commercial property sectors report an identical proportion of organizations—39 percent—currently running early-stage AI pilot programs. Yet, when it comes to converting these initial trials into regular, established operational processes, the commercial property sector is demonstrating greater success. Currently, 29 percent of commercial property firms have integrated AI into their regular workflows, compared to 19 percent in the construction sector.
Looking ahead, investment intentions suggest that this trajectory of increasing AI adoption is likely to continue. Nearly half (47 percent) of commercial property respondents plan to boost their investment in AI technologies over the next twelve months. In the construction sector, 37 percent of firms share similar intentions for increased AI investment.
RICS posits that the industry’s primary challenge has evolved. The initial phase of encouraging organizations to explore and experiment with AI has largely been achieved. The focus has now shifted to the more complex task of embedding AI effectively and sustainably into the day-to-day operations and professional decision-making processes across these sectors.
Progress and Persistent Hurdles
Within the construction industry, the progress is undeniable. The proportion of organizations reporting no AI use has seen a reduction of over a third since 2025, a clear indicator of growing awareness and initial implementation. Concurrently, the rate of regular AI use has climbed from 12 percent in 2025 to 19 percent in the current report.
However, significant barriers to widespread adoption persist. A critical and recurring issue identified by respondents is the lack of skilled personnel capable of implementing, managing, and optimizing AI solutions. This skills gap poses a substantial impediment to scaling AI beyond pilot phases. In the construction sector, in particular, concerns regarding data privacy and security have escalated over the past year, rising from 22 percent to 30 percent of respondents highlighting these issues. This suggests that as AI applications become more sophisticated and handle more sensitive project data, the industry’s apprehension about data protection is growing.
RICS is urging organizations to adopt a strategic approach from the outset. The institution recommends that firms meticulously plan not only the initial AI pilot but also the subsequent steps required to transform successful trials into routine practice. This includes identifying and securing the necessary data infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems, establishing robust professional supervision, and implementing clear governance frameworks to manage AI use responsibly.
The Role of Professional Standards
The RICS report also underscores the growing importance of the institution’s professional standards. The "Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice" standard, which was introduced in March 2026, is highlighted as a crucial resource. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into the fabric of professional work within surveying and related fields, greater awareness and adherence to this standard will be increasingly vital to ensure ethical, effective, and reliable AI deployment.
Expert Commentary: Crossing the Inflection Point
Maureen Ehrenberg FRICS CRE, President Elect of RICS, commented on the report’s findings, stating, "A year ago, this report described an industry approaching an inflection point. The conditions for AI to take hold were in place, but adoption itself was still limited. This year’s data shows that point has been crossed. This shift matters, as does the responsibility that comes with it."
Ehrenberg emphasized the need for proactive leadership from the profession. "RICS’ professional standard Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice, which came into effect in March 2026, provides members with a well-defined framework for acting with confidence. This is the moment for the profession to lead, not follow."
Background and Chronology of AI Integration
The increasing presence of AI in property and construction is not a sudden phenomenon but rather a culmination of evolving technological capabilities and growing industry awareness.
- Early 2020s: Initial explorations of AI in property and construction were largely confined to academic research and niche applications. Early adopters began experimenting with AI for tasks such as predictive maintenance, basic risk assessment, and early-stage design optimization.
- 2023-2024: A growing number of industry reports and surveys began to highlight the potential of AI. The development of more accessible AI tools and platforms, coupled with increasing computational power, made AI more feasible for wider adoption. Pilot projects started to proliferate across various functions, including project management, site monitoring, and market analysis.
- 2025: The RICS survey from 2025 indicated that just over half of construction professionals were using AI, with commercial property showing slightly higher engagement. This period marked a significant increase in the number of organizations initiating AI trials, signaling a growing recognition of its transformative potential.
- March 2026: RICS officially launched its "Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice" standard. This was a proactive step to guide professionals as AI adoption accelerated, addressing the emerging ethical and practical considerations.
- August 2026 (Current Report): The RICS AI in Commercial Property and Construction Report 2026 reveals that AI use has surged, with a clear majority of professionals now engaging with the technology. However, the report pivots the conversation from adoption to effective integration, identifying the challenge of moving beyond pilot studies to routine practice.
Supporting Data and Trends
The RICS report provides several key data points illustrating the current landscape:
- AI Usage in Construction: Approximately 66% of construction professionals report using AI in some form.
- AI Usage in Commercial Property: Over 75% of commercial property professionals report some level of AI use.
- Early-Stage Pilot Programs: 39% of organizations in both sectors are running AI pilot studies.
- Regular AI Use (Commercial Property): 29% of commercial property firms have integrated AI into regular practice.
- Regular AI Use (Construction): 19% of construction firms have integrated AI into regular practice.
- Planned AI Investment (Commercial Property): 47% of respondents plan to increase AI investment in the next 12 months.
- Planned AI Investment (Construction): 37% of respondents plan to increase AI investment in the next 12 months.
- Decreased "No AI Use" in Construction: The proportion of construction organizations reporting no AI use has fallen by over one-third since 2025.
- Increased Privacy/Security Concerns in Construction: These concerns rose from 22% to 30% over the past year.
Broader Impact and Implications
The findings of the RICS report carry significant implications for the future of the property and construction industries.
For Businesses:
The disparity in successful AI integration between commercial property and construction suggests that best practices for deployment and scaling may differ across sectors. Commercial property firms that have successfully embedded AI may offer valuable insights into effective change management, data governance, and talent development strategies. Companies that fail to move beyond pilot studies risk falling behind competitors in terms of efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.
For the Workforce:
The persistent skills gap highlights an urgent need for reskilling and upskilling initiatives. Educational institutions and industry bodies will need to collaborate to develop training programs that equip professionals with the necessary AI literacy and technical expertise. Furthermore, the growing concerns around privacy and security in construction necessitate a focus on developing AI solutions that are not only effective but also robustly secure and compliant with evolving data protection regulations.
For the Built Environment:
As AI becomes more deeply embedded, it has the potential to revolutionize how buildings are designed, constructed, managed, and maintained. This could lead to more sustainable practices, improved building performance, enhanced occupant safety, and more efficient resource utilization. However, the slow pace of integration beyond pilot studies means that the full benefits of AI may take longer to materialize across the entire industry.
For Regulatory Bodies and Professional Institutions:
The RICS report reinforces the critical role of professional bodies in setting standards and providing guidance. The success of the "Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Surveying Practice" standard indicates a growing demand for clear ethical and operational frameworks. Other regulatory bodies and professional institutions will likely follow suit, developing their own guidelines to ensure the safe and effective adoption of AI.
In conclusion, while the property and construction sectors are embracing AI with unprecedented enthusiasm, the journey from experimentation to integration remains a complex challenge. Addressing the skills deficit, overcoming data privacy concerns, and developing robust implementation strategies will be crucial for unlocking the full transformative potential of AI in shaping the future of the built environment. The call from RICS for organizations to proactively plan for scaling AI initiatives is a timely reminder that successful adoption requires strategic foresight and a commitment to embedding innovation into the core of professional practice.
