AI is unlikely to be an extinction event for AEC firms, but it could meaningfully change who leads the industry. Early adopters are reporting productivity gains from design, modeling, and construction-feasibility workflows, though these advantages will likely soon be table stakes. The McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) projects that the AEC industry could unlock roughly $228 billion by 2030 in annual value in the United States through AI and other automation technologies, while in Europe, the impact on the construction sector alone could equate to roughly $126 billion.
