AI strides into construction amid rapid growth and skills shortfalls

Las Vegas, October 9, 2025

News Summary

At the Oracle Edge Customer Summit in Las Vegas, a senior Oracle executive framed AI as a practical tool to help construction manage rapid global expansion, address widening workforce gaps and unlock trapped project data. AI-powered predictive analytics, BIM integration, drones and robotic systems are being applied across preconstruction, construction and operations to improve cost control, safety, quality and sustainability. With job vacancies rising and workers spending significant time searching for information, firms are urged to pilot AI solutions and train teams to capture efficiency gains, reduce waste and support long-term maintenance strategies.

AI Presented as Solution for Construction’s Growth, Skills Gap, Data Silos and Safety Challenges

Key takeaway: At a technology summit in Las Vegas, a senior product and strategy executive in construction laid out how artificial intelligence (AI) can help the industry handle a projected boom, shrinking workforce, fractured data, and safety and efficiency demands.

Top of the story

Josh Kanner spoke about AI in construction at the Oracle Edge Customer Summit in Las Vegas. Josh Kanner is senior director of product and strategy at Oracle Construction and Engineering and previously was founder and CEO of Newmetrix before its acquisition by Oracle. He also co-founded and was CEO of Vela Systems before it was acquired by Autodesk.

The construction industry is described as booming and is projected to grow by $4.2 trillion globally over the next 15 years, according to Global Construction Futures. That growth arrives as the sector faces a widening skills gap, with job vacancies in construction are reported as up 41% year-over-year and a wave of retirements in the construction workforce is described as looming. These workforce trends are part of why AI was framed as a high-priority solution.

Problems AI is meant to address

Industry data problems are front and center: data silos currently plague the construction industry. A 2024 study found construction workers spend 18% of their time searching for information, and the same 2024 study found 43% of workers believe better data access would improve decision-making. AI is being positioned to bridge those gaps by converting raw data into actionable insights.

How AI can help across the project lifecycle

AI’s influence is expanding across the entire construction lifecycle. In preconstruction, AI is proving invaluable for feasibility studies, material optimization, and precise cost estimations. During construction, AI can provide real-time progress tracking, predictive analytics for proactive issue prevention, and insightful Building Information Modeling (BIM) analysis. After project completion, AI capabilities such as predictive maintenance schedules and energy monitoring systems can continue to deliver value, helping optimize operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.

Business drivers and measurable impacts

Several factors are propelling AI adoption in construction, including an industry inflection point in technological evolution. The industry evolution was described as a progression from standalone point solutions to first-generation platforms to truly intelligent platforms that synchronize activities and empower teams with predictive capabilities.

The growth forecast for AI adoption reflects three fundamental shifts in the field:

• cost pressures and labor shortages making efficiency improvements critical
• companies working to break down data silos to increase cross-team collaboration
• the democratization of AI tools making implementation more accessible

Cost control remains a primary motivator for AI adoption in construction. AI can identify potential cost overruns early and optimize resource allocation throughout the project lifecycle. A cited study estimates AI-powered predictive analytics can reduce project costs by up to 15%.

Safety, quality and sustainability

Safety is a top priority. AI’s capabilities to predict potential risks, monitor equipment performance for early signs of failure, and proactively detect hazards on the jobsite are highlighted as ways to improve safety and reduce accidents. AI can also promote more sustainable construction practices by optimizing energy usage and facilitating comprehensive energy audits. The sector currently accounts for over 20% of global carbon emissions, and AI is framed as a tool to minimize waste and optimize material usage.

Real-world examples and future outlook

The shift from theory to practice is already underway. A real-world example cited is the Burj Khalifa, which employs an AI-powered maintenance system to monitor elevators, escalators, and other critical machinery. The Burj Khalifa’s AI-powered maintenance system can detect the slightest signs of potential machine failure to enable proactive maintenance and minimize downtime.

The future of AI in construction will hinge on three critical factors labeled as Connection, Intelligence, and Orchestration. Connection means breaking down data silos to create a unified view of projects and portfolios; Intelligence means leveraging historical and real-time data to power predictive analytics; and Orchestration means synchronizing activities across the entire construction ecosystem so all parties work together with real-time visibility.

Growth in AI will be driven by increasing integration of AI with BIM and robotics, creating a synergistic ecosystem of advanced technologies. The emphasis is on augmenting human expertise—empowering construction professionals with AI tools to enhance capabilities and drive innovation. To benefit from AI advancements, firms should invest in AI training for their workforce and pilot AI-powered solutions on key projects. The recommendation is that firms embrace AI today to be best prepared to succeed in the future of construction.

Sponsored Content and participation

The content containing Josh Kanner’s remarks appears as Sponsored Content (a paid section). Sponsored Content is described as a special paid section where industry companies provide high-quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ENR audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ENR or its parent company, BNP Media. A call to action in the Sponsored Content notes: Interested parties should contact their local rep to participate in the Sponsored Content section.

Related tools and resources

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Regional context: Las Vegas and Nevada

Local construction news coincides with these industry-wide trends. Clark County officials and the Oakland Athletics franchise took another step toward the team’s relocation to Las Vegas. Clark County and the Athletics took a final step en route to a baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. Construction on the Strip stadium has been underway since the June groundbreaking ceremony. Clark County officials unanimously approved a legally binding development agreement between Clark County and the Athletics organization on a Wednesday. The development agreement covers construction responsibilities, environmental and public infrastructure, and maintenance. The agreement also outlines coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding tall structures near Harry Reid International Airport. Officials said the stadium will be ready to welcome fans in time for the 2028 Major League Baseball season.

At the same time, Nevada is losing thousands of construction jobs as tourism slows and economic uncertainty remains high. Construction jobs in Nevada were down 6.4% (7,100 jobs) year over year through August, according to a report from The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Nevada ranked fifth in the country for overall construction jobs lost in that period. Nevada led the country in month-over-month decline in construction jobs from July to August, shedding 4,400 jobs for a 4.1% drop, according to the AGC report. The Las Vegas Valley reportedly shed 4,300 jobs from July to August, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).

Economists cited media reports that private-sector employment in Nevada fell by 6,000 jobs from July to August, led by statistically significant declines in construction and the accommodation and food services sector. Commentators linked the drop to a slowdown in homebuilding and softening commercial activity, higher materials and labor costs, tariffs, and elevated interest rates. Nevada relies heavily on foreign-born workers in construction; immigrants make up approximately 48% of the construction industry’s workforce in Nevada.

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Additional Resources

• Fox5 Las Vegas: Athletics, county officials finalize development agreement — Strip ballpark
• Wikipedia: Oakland Athletics
• Victorville Daily Press: Brightline West Southern California–Las Vegas high-speed rail cost
• Google Search: Brightline West high-speed rail Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Review-Journal: Las Vegas loses thousands of construction jobs, contractors association says
• Google Scholar: Las Vegas construction jobs 2025
• MLB.com: Athletics Las Vegas ballpark construction cam
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Stadium construction
• ENR: Bright lights shine on Las Vegas construction
• Google News: Las Vegas construction 2025

Author: Construction CA News

CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER The CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructioncanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in California and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rose Parade, Coachella, Comic-Con, and the California State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the California Building Industry Association and Associated General Contractors of California, plus leading businesses in technology and entertainment that power the local economy such as Apple and Alphabet. As part of the broader network, including constructionnynews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape across multiple states.