2025, Year 1 of artificial intelligence in the French construction industry?

In 2025, what was previously a mere curiosity will be making its way to construction sites. In warehouses, business tools, and processes, AI is already saving time and even money.

Discover AI trends in French construction.

A significant political boost: massive investments in AI are planned.

In February 2025, Emmanuel Macron launched a €109 billion investment program to foster the emergence of artificial intelligence in France. The objectives are well-defined and will primarily focus on consolidating technological infrastructure, particularly data centers, while supporting the integration of AI in strategic sectors, including construction.

This technological breakthrough should, for construction industry players, be combined with new opportunities for financing, experimentation, and updating. The government's message is unequivocal: future projects must be as smart as they are safe.

The rise of intelligent robots on construction sites

The rise of AI-driven robots in France is a real economic reality, with a market estimated at €590 million this year. Construction sites are taking a clear technological turn with this transformation. Robots are busy working on them, for example, laying bricks, moving materials, or ensuring security. These advantages are much more than just a gimmick; the benefits are tangible: optimized construction times, greater precision in task execution, and significantly reduced arduousness for workers.

Logistics, eco-design and predictive maintenance: towards a greener construction site

AI is also fascinating because it helps address fundamental challenges. More and more construction companies are using algorithms to organize on-site logistics flows, limit unnecessary journeys, and choose the most sustainable materials based on the context. This translates into a measurable reduction in emissions, waste, and delays.

For example, some construction managers are now using AI solutions to predict the weather in very localized areas and adapt their delivery schedules or on-site storage. The result: fewer idle machines, fewer materials exposed to the elements, and smoother construction sites.

Skills and jobs: how AI is transforming the construction industry

Today, all the figures agree that the sector is recruiting. In the first quarter of 2024, the construction industry posted 17% more job openings than in the previous quarter. This dynamic illustrates a dual trend: companies are seeking both to meet demand and to develop new skills, particularly in digital tools and emerging technologies.

For Jeffrey Robert, General Manager France of Astrak: « Artificial intelligence won't replace field workers, but it can empower them to go further. At Astrak, we integrate emerging technologies into our services to stay as close as possible to the real needs of construction sites."

Artificial intelligence will not replace human expertise. It complements it, sometimes redirects it, and even reveals some of it. Integrating AI into the construction industry will primarily involve revaluing human capital while supporting the emergence of new expertise. Suppliers and partners in the sector have a role to play in supporting these transitions in a concrete manner.

Towards a generalization of AI in the coming years

A PlanRadar study reveals that 47% of construction and real estate companies in France plan to invest in AI by 2028. This figure has increased significantly over the past three years. At the time, only 3% were interested in investing in this area.

Among the study's respondents, 77% also stated that they intend to invest more in project management software. The gradual digitalization of the sector therefore appears to be underway, also supported by the development of BIM solutions, digital twins, and real-time monitoring tools.

And while by 2024, only 17% of French construction companies had initiated a real digital transition (source: DGE), 58% of professionals in the sector stated that AI would play a positive role in their profession by 2030 (FFB barometer). The momentum is therefore underway, even if it remains to be realized.

Artificial intelligence in construction is no longer just a startup dream or a topic reserved for the media. It's slowly but surely making its way into construction sites, where every minute counts and the slightest mistake can be costly. AI saves time and improves the safety of both materials and people. It should therefore soon become indispensable for the construction sector.

But for this technological revolution to deliver on its promises, it's not enough to simply pile up the latest tools. Above all, it's crucial to choose solutions that are adapted to the reality on the ground and that understand the expectations and needs of each stakeholder.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.