The construction industry is taking a measured approach to artificial intelligence adoption, with many companies monitoring developments rather than moving quickly, according to Kelvin Enfinger Jr., who serves on the technology committee for Associated Builders and Contractors National. While major firms deploy advanced robotics such as “robo dogs” for site monitoring, smaller and mid-sized companies are focusing on proven technologies that address current workforce challenges.
“We don’t have a tremendous amount of technology that’s implemented in a company our size. When you look at some of the big national and international companies, they’re so advanced, they got robo dogs walking around job sites, taking pictures and things like that,” said Enfinger, Vice President at Greenhut Construction. His company represents the cautious middle ground where most construction firms currently operate regarding AI adoption.
The technology gap between large and smaller construction companies has created a two-tier adoption landscape. While international firms experiment with advanced robotics and AI-powered project management systems, regional companies like Greenhut are “looking at it, monitoring” and waiting for clearer implementation opportunities in pre-construction and project management processes.
However, the industry has found immediate practical applications for virtual reality technology, particularly in addressing the workforce shortage. VR training systems are proving especially useful for engaging younger generations who might otherwise overlook construction careers. “What are kids interested in right now? Kids are interested in technology, and so seeing some of the tech that’s being implemented to get kids interested in this industry, which is something as simple as a VR headset,” Enfinger explained.
These VR applications serve dual purposes: recruitment and training. The technology can immerse teenagers in construction environments, showcasing different trades through virtual experiences that appeal to their digital preferences. More importantly, VR headsets are being used for actual skilled workforce training, providing safe, repeatable environments for learning complex procedures.
The construction industry’s relationship with AI differs from other sectors facing potential job displacement. Enfinger notes that construction’s physical nature provides protection against widespread automation. “This is a very hands on industry, so it’s gonna be extremely hard to ever lose that human aspect of what we do. It’s a craft. It’s a skill, and it requires using your hands to do it.”
This suggests construction may benefit from AI augmentation rather than replacement, potentially making the industry more attractive to workers concerned about job security elsewhere. “I don’t see technology replacing that anytime soon,” Enfinger stated, though he acknowledges that machinery and robotics have reduced workforce requirements in specific tasks.
The industry’s cautious optimism about AI centers on its potential to enhance, not replace, human capabilities. Training applications represent the most promising near-term opportunity, where AI could help accelerate skill development and address the industry’s 500,000-worker shortage. “When I think about the workforce shortage and I think about AI, I immediately go to the idea of how it can assist in training,” Enfinger noted.
Looking ahead, construction companies are positioning themselves to adopt AI selectively as clear benefits emerge. “We embrace technology, and we use technology that’s available for our industry with different softwares and things of that nature,” Enfinger said. “When there’s an opportunity to implement AI into our pre-construction process, or our project management process, we will do so.”
The measured approach reflects the industry’s practical culture and regulatory complexity. As one of the most regulated industries in the country, construction companies must balance innovation with compliance requirements, making gradual adoption more appealing than rapid transformation.
This cautious optimism may prove accurate, as construction’s physical requirements and skilled labor needs could make it one of the industries that benefits most from AI augmentation while remaining largely resistant to job displacement concerns affecting other sectors.