The adoption of AI technology across the construction and commercial property sectors has accelerated significantly over the past year, according to new research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
The RICS AI in Commercial Property and Construction Report 2026, which surveyed 3,100 industry professionals worldwide, found that about two-thirds of construction professionals are using AI in some form, up from just over half in 2025, and in commercial property, more than three-quarters of survey respondents report using AI.
Both sectors have the same proportion of organisations running early-stage AI pilots (39%), but commercial property is proving more successful at converting these pilots into regular use.
Adoption of AI technology is expected to increase in the future, with 47% of commercial property respondents stating their intention to increase AI investment over the next 12 months, compared with 37% in construction.
Maureen Ehrenberg, president elect of RICS, said: “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. 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.”
