Future-proofing construction: Why AI must start with people

By Nicola Hodkinson2025-12-17T07:00:00

The industry can harness artificial intelligence to future-proof the workforce. Its success depends on cross-generational training, Nicola Seddon writes

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.

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