Future-proofing construction: Why AI must start with people

Across construction, the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) is getting louder – but so are the warning bells about the pervasive skills crisis impacting our sector. Record housing targets, an ageing workforce and a widening digital divide mean we cannot view AI as a shortcut to achieving our goals.

I am a strong advocate for AI. It is already easing workloads and helping to boost accuracy in project delivery. But it will not solve our skills crisis. We still need apprentices, craftspeople and site teams to build the future – AI can simply help them to do it better. To truly future-proof our workforce, we must invest in training that blends technical ability with digital confidence across every generation.

Turning pressures into progress

Nearly half of construction firms still do not use AI, and many others are only just beginning to explore it. That caution is understandable: construction is not a factory floor. Every project is unique, and safety, precision and coordination come first. But that’s exactly why AI can make such an impact: by freeing people from repetitive tasks so they are empowered to focus on complex, human decision-making.

Across our sites and offices, AI is already taking on the heavy lifting. Automation is streamlining time-consuming processes such as site cabin orders, ERP approvals and procurement workflows, cutting down on admin and human error. Our on-site chatbot gives managers instant answers to operational queries, from hire status to overdue equipment, saving hours of manual checks. 

Data-driven insight is transforming how we make decisions. Centralised dashboards in Microsoft Power BI give leaders real-time visibility over waste, emissions and workforce analytics, while our vendor performance portal helps suppliers to track and improve performance.

Automated verification now checks certifications and insurance across the supply chain, improving accuracy and speed. These tools do not replace expertise – they amplify it.

There is a pervasive fear – across many industries – that AI will replace jobs. But in reality, the greatest risk is that we do not learn how to use it. Construction will always rely on human judgment, but by letting technology take care of repetitive tasks, we give our people the space to focus on what they do best.

Bridging the digital divide

Like any major shift, AI adoption is received differently across teams and generations. Some see its potential straight away, embracing the time saved through automation and smarter data tools. Others are more cautious, unsure how it fits alongside the craft and human judgment on which construction depends.

What has become clear is that confidence with technology is not defined by age. In the UK, 99% of children regularly spend time online, with smartphones being the primary device for 12 to 17-year-olds. Many younger recruits, while fluent in apps and social media, struggle with core computer-based IT and data skills that construction roles demand. At the other end of the scale, experienced professionals bring invaluable practical expertise but can be hesitant when it comes to adopting new digital systems.

Cross-generational training is key to tackling this from both sides, allowing everyone to learn from each other. Digital leadership across every department is also important, enabling subject-matter experts to shape and evolve the systems their teams use for maximum effectiveness.

In partnership with the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology, we are helping apprentices to strengthen essential IT literacy while helping long-serving colleagues to build confidence with AI-driven tools. Together, these initiatives are creating a culture of shared learning, where generations collaborate, skills overlap, and technology genuinely works for everyone. By 2026, our goal is full digital literacy across the business and a workforce where every generation feels confident using technology to its full potential.

Leading with purpose

In our industry, we often do not give ourselves enough credit for the extent of the innovation we have adopted and employ every day. Far from being behind other industries, it faces more complexity than most – construction operates in a world defined by uncertainty, changing regulations and safety-critical decisions made in real time. That makes transformation slower by necessity, not by lack of ambition. In fact, it is what positions construction to lead the way in ethical, human-led AI adoption.

Where some industries rush to automate, construction understands that accuracy, safety and human judgment can not be compromised. Every insight drawn from a dashboard or digital model still depends on someone with hands-on experience to interpret it, because in a sector where mistakes can have real-world consequences, blind trust in algorithms is not an option. So-called AI “hallucinations”, where systems generate false or misleading information, remind us why human judgment must always lead.

The opportunity is not for construction to catch up with other sectors. It is for others to learn from how we balance innovation with accountability. The industry’s deep problem-solving mindset, grounded in collaboration and real-world expertise, offers a blueprint for using AI responsibly, and with the same rigour we bring to on-site, hands-on work.

Building the workforce of tomorrow

The future of construction will not be defined by how much technology we adopt, but by how well we prepare our people to use it. AI can give us the tools to work smarter and faster, but it is the skills, creativity and judgment of our workforce that turn those tools into real progress. The next generation of construction workers will not just need to know how to build – they will need to know how to build with technology.

By investing in people and equipping every generation with digital confidence, we can future-proof not just our workforce, but the industry itself. AI will not close the skills gap – people will. Our role is to make sure they have everything they need to do it.

Nicola Hodkinson is owner and director at Seddon