How Will Construction Engineering Management Be Impacted by AI? We Asked an Expert Faculty Member in the Field

Is construction engineering management safe from AI?

If you're just skimming, here's what you need to know: AI isn't replacing construction engineers or project managers anytime soon. While it can help automate planning, analyze project data, and improve decision-making, construction engineering management remains deeply rooted in the physical world.

Human expertise, communication, leadership, and accountability will continue to be essential. Read on to learn how Associate Professor Joseph Louis believes AI will influence the field and what changes are already underway.

Joseph Louis, associate professor of construction engineering

Joseph Louis is an associate professor in the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at OSU. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in construction operations, heavy civil engineering, and analytical methods for construction decision-making.

Louis’s research focuses on operations analysis for complex construction and infrastructure systems, including heavy civil operations, modular and industrialized construction, and disaster response and recovery. His work integrates simulation, spatial analysis, visualization, and automation to support planning, resource allocation, logistics, and resilience analysis under uncertainty.

Louis is also the creator of ConStrobe, a simulation platform for modeling construction operations and distributed infrastructure systems. ConStrobe can be automated through Python to enable automation, optimization, and integration with GIS, BIM, and external data workflows. His broader research interests include digital twins that mirror real-world infrastructure, distributed simulation of interconnected systems, and AI-enabled operational decision support for the built environment.

How will AI change construction engineering management?

Question:

Many prospective students worry that artificial intelligence could replace engineering jobs. In your field, how do you see AI changing the role of engineers over the next 10 to 20 years?

Answer:

Given that construction engineering and management deals primarily with the creation of built infrastructure in the physical world, I do not worry about AI replacing these jobs. I do see AI empowering engineers in this domain to do a lot more than they could have done in terms of planning and design, but ultimately, a human would need to translate AI recommendations to the real world.

What parts of construction engineering management can’t be replaced by AI?

Question:

What aspects of your engineering discipline do you believe will always require human judgment, creativity or expertise, even as AI becomes more advanced?

Answer:

Any time someone is liable for something, a human being will have to assume responsibility. This is especially true in the field of civil and construction engineering where our work is used by people in the real world on a daily basis.

AI can only recommend actions to be taken, but these will have to be verified, validated, and signed off by a real human with the requisite knowledge and skills in their field.

Will AI reduce demand for construction engineering managers?

Question:

Do you expect demand for engineers in your field to increase, decrease or change significantly because of AI? Why?

Answer:

It would depend on the field. I think entry level programmers might find themselves in less demand. However, engineers who work on physical projects and collaborate closely with people will remain in strong demand.

Construction engineering management requires professionals who can oversee projects, coordinate teams, solve field challenges, and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently. These responsibilities depend heavily on communication, leadership, and real-world problem-solving skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

New career opportunities AI is creating

Question:

What new jobs or career paths do you think will emerge in your field because of AI?

Answer:

One area already seeing rapid expansion is the construction of data centers, fueled by growing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud computing. At the same time, construction companies are increasingly seeking professionals who can connect, automate, and integrate the digital tools used across projects.

What skills should future construction engineers learn?

Question:

What skills should engineering students develop today to succeed in an AI-enabled future?

Answer:

The most valuable skills will be the ones that are difficult to automate.

For construction engineering students, that starts with developing deep expertise in how buildings and infrastructure are designed and built. Understanding construction methods, project delivery, construction equipment, scheduling, safety, and field operations will remain critical.

The second differentiator is real-world experience. Time spent working on construction sites provides practical knowledge that AI cannot easily replicate.

Biggest misconceptions about AI and construction engineering management?

Question:

What's the biggest misconception students have about AI and your discipline?

Answer:

A common misconception is that AI will replace project engineers and field engineers.

In reality, these roles require far more than technical calculations. Construction professionals spend much of their time coordinating teams, communicating with stakeholders, solving unexpected problems, and making decisions based on conditions in the field.

These interpersonal and leadership responsibilities are difficult to automate and will remain essential to successful construction projects.

Advice for students worried about AI

Question:

If a high school student told you they were interested in your discipline, but worried AI would make the degree less valuable, what would you tell them?

Answer:

I would tell them that construction engineering management remains one of the most grounded professions in the physical world.

AI can analyze information and generate recommendations, but it cannot physically build infrastructure, manage construction sites, or take responsibility for decisions that impact public safety.

The consequences of mistakes in construction can be significant, which is why competent professionals will continue to be needed to oversee projects and ensure quality outcomes.

Students who combine construction expertise with an understanding of emerging technologies will be especially valuable in the decades ahead.

Final takeaway

The world is changing because of AI. There's no doubt about that. But when it comes to construction engineering management, the future looks more like evolution than disruption.

AI will likely become a powerful tool for project planning, scheduling, data analysis, and digital collaboration. Yet the responsibilities that define construction engineering management, leading teams, managing risk, ensuring quality, and delivering projects safely, remain fundamentally human.

The future is bright for construction professionals who combine technical expertise, practical field experience, and strong people skills with the ability to leverage AI effectively. For students considering a career in construction engineering management, that's good news. The profession isn't becoming obsolete. It's becoming more capable, more efficient, and full of new opportunities for those ready to embrace change.