Resource
Executive Summary – The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering and Design Services
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in the engineering and design services industry, with the potential to reshape how firms deliver projects, deploy talent, and create value. This study by the ACEC Research Institute, conducted as part of the Firm of the Future initiative, examines how engineering firms are currently using AI, where adoption is accelerating, and what opportunities and risks lie ahead. Drawing on survey responses, industry interviews, and scenario analysis, the research provides a practical assessment of AI’s role in improving productivity, supporting workforce capacity, and influencing long-term business models.
Why This Research Matters
- Engineering firms face persistent workforce shortages, rising project complexity, and increasing pressure to deliver faster and more efficiently.
- AI tools, ranging from generative design and data analytics to automation and decision support, offer new ways to augment professional expertise rather than replace it.
- Firm leaders need credible, industry-specific guidance to separate near-term, actionable AI use cases from longer-term disruption narratives.
Key Findings
- Most engineering firms are in the early stages of AI adoption, with use concentrated in pilot projects, experimentation, and limited operational deployments rather than enterprise-wide integration.
- Firms report the greatest near-term value from AI in automating routine tasks, accelerating data analysis, improving design efficiency, and supporting project management and quality control.
- AI adoption is driven more by productivity and workforce capacity needs than by cost reduction alone.
- Cultural readiness, data quality, cybersecurity, and professional liability concerns remain significant barriers to broader implementation.
- Respondents consistently view AI as a tool that enhances professional judgment and expertise, not a substitute for licensed engineers or established standards of care.
Implications for the Industry
The research indicates that AI adoption will be evolutionary rather than disruptive in the near term, with firms that invest early gaining incremental productivity advantages and greater flexibility in staffing and service delivery. Over time, AI is expected to influence firm structure, pricing models, and competitive differentiation, particularly as tools mature and client expectations evolve.
Methodology
The study combines survey data from engineering firm leaders with qualitative interviews and scenario-planning exercises conducted as part of the Firm of the Future initiative. Data collection reflects industry conditions through 2024 and focuses on practical, near-term applications as well as longer-term strategic implications.
Practical Applications
This research enables engineering firm leaders to identify realistic AI use cases, assess organizational readiness, and develop responsible adoption strategies aligned with professional standards. Clients and owners can use the findings to better understand how AI may affect project delivery, schedules, and collaboration. Policymakers and industry leaders can apply these insights to workforce development, education, and guidance that supports innovation while preserving public trust and professional accountability.