AI in Construction: Friend or Foe? Takeaways from NY Build Expo 2025

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at NY Build Expo 2025, the biggest gathering of construction professionals in NYC. Walking through the Javits Center, it was impossible to ignore the momentum building around AI in construction. 

Conversations were no longer about whether AI belongs in the industry anymore; they were about how fast it’s changing the game. The shift is already happening. The real question is, who is ready to make the most of it?

A Paradigm Shift is Happening

Other industries have already embraced AI-driven efficiencies, but the construction industry still hasn’t embraced AI in its full capacity. While project management, scheduling, and procurement have gone digital, preconstruction is still behind. Why?

Because we’re still debating whether AI belongs in construction. Truth is -it does, and it’s already proving its worth.

Companies that adapt now will shape the next decade. Those who resist change will struggle to keep up. The winners will be those who learn how to work with AI, not against it.

AI Won’t Replace You, But Someone Using AI Will

There’s a common misconception that AI is coming for jobs. It’s not. AI isn’t here to replace estimators, project managers, or engineers. It will amplify their expertise, helping them work faster, make better decisions, and focus on the big picture.

Think about how CAD replaced hand-drawn blueprints. Did it replace architects? No. It empowered them to focus on design and innovation. AI in construction works the same way. It’s not about job loss. It’s about job elevation.

The reality is simple. AI won’t take your job, but another person using AI might. The firms that embrace AI will outbid, outpace, and outperform those that don’t. The ones stuck in the past will be left behind.

Estimators Are Drowning in Busy Work. AI Can Elevate Their Role

Right now, estimators spend nearly half of their bid cycle on manual takeoffs, clicking on PDFs, tracing lines, and counting quantities.

This is not the best use of their expertise. Estimators should be:

• Refining bids to make them more competitive
• Negotiating with suppliers to get better pricing
• Collaborating with GCs on scope optimization
• Performing risk assessments for high-stakes projects
• Identifying value engineering opportunities to cut costs without sacrificing quality

AI can take care of the repetitive, time-consuming takeoffs, allowing estimators to focus on strategic decision-making instead of grunt work.

Also read: The Evolving Role of Estimators in Construction

Final Thoughts: AI Is a Competitive Advantage, Not a Threat

AI isn’t here to take away jobs. It’s here to take away the worst parts of the job. It eliminates tedious manual work so construction professionals can focus on what truly matters: winning bids, driving profits, and delivering exceptional projects.

The firms that embrace AI today will be the ones leading the industry tomorrow.