Survey Release: AI Adoption in Construction Industry Rises from 43.4% to 61.3%; Next Challenge for Executives is 'Internal Penetration'

In the construction industry, the key managerial challenge regarding AI has shifted over the past three months—from "where should we start?" to "how do we achieve internal penetration?"

"How far are other companies using AI?" To answer this question, the Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai (operated by LIFEFUND Inc.) released the "Kenchiku AI Keiei Jittai Chosa 2026" in April 2026, surveying 53 executives in the architecture and construction industry. The full results were detailed in a press release.

Article: "How Far Are Others Using AI?" – Honest Survey of 53 Housing and Construction Industry Executives

URL: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000053.000160136.html

This is a follow-up report. The research group conducted a second survey three months later (June 2026) using the same questions, comparing the March 2026 survey (n=53) with the June survey (n=31), and publishing the results as a "Fixed-Point Observation Report." The purpose of this continuous tracking is to capture the "direction and speed of change" in AI adoption among construction industry executives—not as isolated data points, but as a continuous trend.

In conclusion, over these three months, AI "internal penetration" has gradually begun to advance across the construction industry. The phase has shifted from individual experimentation to organizational-wide implementation. Executives’ concerns have also evolved in line with this transition. However, the respondents in the two surveys were not entirely identical, and both sample size and respondent composition differ. Therefore, this report presents the changes not as strict year-on-year increases within the same population, but as trends reflecting shifts in executives’ attention and implementation stages.

Five Changes Observed Over Three Months

The most significant trend is AI’s transformation from a "personal convenience tool" to "organizational infrastructure." This progression toward internal penetration is evident across all five changes.

① AI Utilization Level Increased by One Stage Overall

Organizations adopting AI beyond individual use ("Level 2 and above") expanded from 43.4% to 61.3% (+17.9 pts). Those remaining at "Level 1" (individual use only) decreased from 56.6% to 38.7%. Notably, "company-wide standard use (Level 3)" nearly tripled, rising from 5.7% to 16.1%.

② Rapid Expansion in Claude Adoption

The rate of paid corporate adoption of Claude surged from 18.9% to 71.0% (+52.1 pts), while paid usage by executives personally jumped from 24.5% to 77.4% (+52.9 pts). Gemini also saw growth in company adoption (56.6% → 74.2%), and meeting minutes AI adoption rose from 37.7% to 58.1%, indicating a rapid shift toward paid plans. In contrast, personal ChatGPT usage declined from 58.5% to 48.4% (-10.1 pts), suggesting a tool shift.

Claude users quadrupled in just three months. Recently, more cases involving Claude Code and Claude Cowork have also emerged.

③ Management Concerns Shift from "Starting" to "Penetration" Phase

The percentage of executives saying "I don’t know where to start or what to prioritize" dropped sharply from 50.9% to 29.0% (-21.9 pts), while those reporting "frontline staff or employees aren’t keeping up" rose from 9.4% to 22.6% (+13.2 pts). The executives’ main barrier has shifted from the entry point of adoption to "penetration and stabilization within the organization."

It is evident that many construction industry executives have already overcome the initial uncertainty about what AI can be used for through observation and experience.

④ Attitudes Toward Investment Have Become More Proactive

The proportion of executives stating "no barriers, already decided to increase investment" rose from 34.0% to 51.6% (+17.6 pts), exceeding half. Meanwhile, those saying "I can’t decide what to invest in" plummeted from 41.5% to 19.4% (-22.1 pts).

A reversal has occurred: more executives are actively investing in AI than those hesitating.

⑤ AI Talent Has Become an Organizational Priority

The share of companies that have already incorporated AI into hiring criteria and performance evaluations increased from 3.8% to 16.1% (+12.3 pts). Those who see it as important but have done nothing decreased from 52.8% to 38.7% (-14.1 pts).

This shows that AI talent acquisition and development are progressing even in the construction industry.

What the Data Reveals: AI Shifts from "Expectation" to a "Tangible Weapon"

Behind the quantitative data, executives’ perception of AI itself is changing.

Executives who view AI as "a weapon already transforming performance": 9.4% → 19.4% (+10.0 pts)

Those who "don’t understand the impact (no effect observed)" of AI: 47.2% → 29.0% (-18.2 pts)

Those prioritizing "ease of integration with internal systems" when selecting improvement tools: 13.2% → 32.3% (+19.1 pts)

Areas of management decision-making using AI: "recruitment, HR, and organizational development": 28.3% → 48.4% (+20.1 pts)

Notably, the share of executives who "assess AI impact intuitively" rose from 34.0% to 48.4%, indicating growing tangible recognition—though quantification remains a future challenge.

Implications from the Survey: The Next Focus is "Penetration" and "Quantifying Impact"

The changes over three months indicate that AI adoption in the construction industry has entered a new phase.

Executives’ focus has shifted from "should we start using AI?" to "how do we embed it company-wide and measure results?" Indeed, in new questions added to the June survey, 77% of executives expressed willingness to participate as monitors for new AI business improvement services, and demand for "practical environments where AI can be learned" increased from 24.5% to 32.3%.

While the construction industry faces worsening labor shortages, the movement to turn AI into a strategic management tool is expanding from isolated cases to widespread adoption. The Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai will continue its fixed-point observations to visualize industry changes.

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Kenchiku AI Keiei Jittai Chosa Fixed-Point Observation Report (March → June 2026)

Conducted by: Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai (operated by LIFEFUND Inc.)

Target: Executives in architecture and construction industry

Valid Responses: March 2026 survey n=53 / June 2026 survey n=31

Question Structure: 15 comparative questions, 4 new questions added in June

Respondent Profile: 83% are SMEs with 29 or fewer employees (consistent across both surveys).

55% of June respondents were members of the research group, 45% non-members.

※ Due to differences in sample size and respondent composition between the two periods, changes should be interpreted as trends.

Guidelines for Citing or Reproducing the Report

• When citing or reproducing, please clearly state the source as "Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai Survey (March 2026)."

• This press release contains only part of the survey data. Media professionals and industry stakeholders who wish to learn more about the full survey should contact horiemonai@hakuto-k.jp.

◼ About Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai

Photo: Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai meeting. Held monthly in Tokyo.

The "Kenchiku AI Keiei Kenkyukai" is an exclusive community for executives in the architecture and housing industry, dedicated to sharing practical knowledge on using AI not as a "tool" but as a "strategic weapon" in management. We hold monthly research meetings focused on the theme "How to embed AI into architectural business management."

🔗 https://kenchiku-ai.com