More than a third of engineers, architects and city planners are using AI every day, according to a new global survey
The study, commissioned by international sustainable development consultancy Arup, shows 80% of professionals in the built environment are using AI at least weekly, with 36% using it daily.
Embracing AI: Reshaping Today’s Cities and Built Environment examined attitudes and adoption of AI by those shaping cities across 10 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Singapore, the UK and the US.
Rapid adoption of advanced AI tools
The survey found rapid adoption of AI across the built environment, far beyond tools like chatbots and large language models such as ChatGPT.
Engineers, architects, city planners and digital leaders reported using advanced tools like large-scale simulations, evolutionary algorithms and science-based AI to tackle complex project work.
These AI-powered solutions are being used across work including project design, advanced modelling, urban planning, creating digital twins and enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency.
AI seen in “overwhelmingly positive” light – but ethical guidelines needed
The survey found overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards AI with almost two-thirds (61%) seeing it as an opportunity. Only 11% see it as a risk to jobs.
Many respondents believe AI can help projects be delivered on time and on budget, while also helping to tackle the climate and nature crises – citing solutions such as waste reduction, developing sustainable materials, and optimising renewable energy.
The vast majority of professionals (91%) believe it is important to have ethical guidelines for AI in the built environment. Around half (49%) also reported apprehension about the dominance of global tech companies in AI development.
Arup commissioned the research to explore how AI is already changing the way cities and infrastructure are designed. The firm is calling for increased focus on developing AI tools that can help decarbonise the sector and restore nature, while delivering prosperity and resilient infrastructure for a growing global population.
In 2024, there was $252bn of corporate investment in AI in total. Arup’s AI experts argue if just 10% of this investment was used to design AI for major challenges in the built environment, it could help radically transform cities and infrastructure to improve people’s lives.
Arup is already using AI-powered tools to model nature-based solutions that protect people from heatwaves and floods, and to extend the life of critical infrastructure like offshore wind turbines and bridges for decades – significantly reducing cost and carbon emissions.
Will Cavendish, global digital services leader at Arup and ex-DeepMind strategist, said: “This survey shows the scale and pace of AI adoption in the design of cities and infrastructure, cutting through the noise around large language models like ChatGPT to show how advanced AI systems can improve people’s lives. AI is already making a significant impact – empowering what we call ‘Total Design’ and helping deliver everything from renewable energy infrastructure to transport systems.
“While global investment in AI is enormous, it often misses the most impactful areas. We need AI that delivers real-world benefits – from new sustainable materials to renewed global biodiversity. Our industry should focus much more resources on developing these types of AI systems.”
