London, July 11, 2025 — The construction sector is accelerating its take-up of artificial intelligence (AI), marking a turning point for an industry long seen as slow to adopt digital tools, according to MEED. In its report, MEED reveals that project owners and contractors across the Middle East and North Africa are deploying AI-driven solutions throughout the project lifecycle, from conceptual design and planning through to site execution and asset management.
Digital-twin modelling and machine-learning algorithms for schedule optimisation are moving beyond pilot schemes to full-scale integration on major infrastructure and real-estate projects. Predictive analytics is being used to forecast material demand, streamline procurement and reduce supply-chain disruption, while computer-vision systems now monitor safety performance and quality control in real time.
Contractors are trialling autonomous equipment to automate earth-moving and concrete-pouring tasks. MEED notes that over half of leading developers have allocated AI budgets for 2025, up from under 30% two years ago.
Analysts predict the next frontier will be AI-enabled decision-support platforms that integrate design, procurement and field-sensor data for real-time risk and cost management. However, MEED cautions that workforce upskilling, robust data governance and strong technology partnerships are essential to ensure scalable and secure AI deployment.
