India’s architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is rapidly advancing toward digital transformation—with leading firms adopting Building Information Modeling (BIM), cloud collaboration platforms, and AI-driven design tools to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Yet, much like global counterparts, full-scale digital integration remains a challenge.

Bluebeam’s 2026 Construction Technology Report reveals that while 84% of AEC firms globally plan to increase technology investments in 2026, only 11% have achieved full digital integration across project phases. Nearly half of all projects still rely on paper-based workflows, exposing a clear disconnect between ambition and execution.

The report, based on insights from over 1,000 professionals across the US, UK, Germany, France, and Australia, identifies system integration—not cost—as the top barrier to transformation. About 23% of respondents cited interoperability issues as their biggest challenge, while 65% of firms dedicate less than 10% of their technology budgets to training. The resulting skill gap continues to slow digital adoption across the construction lifecycle.

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These findings closely mirror India’s own AEC landscape. Large infrastructure and real estate firms are leading the digital transition with the adoption of BIM and data-driven project management, but small and mid-sized enterprises continue to rely on hybrid workflows. As India pushes ahead with large-scale urban and industrial development under government programs such as Smart Cities Mission, Gati Shakti, and PM Awas Yojana, the need for end-to-end digital workflows has become a national priority.

Artificial Intelligence is also starting to make an impact in construction management. Although only 27% of global firms currently use AI, early adopters report significant results—68% saved at least USD 50,000 per project and nearly 1,000 man-hours through automation in planning, scheduling, and document management.

Commenting on the findings, Usman Shuja, CEO of Bluebeam, said that “Digital transformation isn’t about piling on new tools—it’s about removing the friction that keeps people from using the ones they already have. The real test of AI in construction isn’t hype—it’s the hours it gives back to project teams and the dollars it saves owners.”

Adding perspective on India’s evolving construction landscape, Sanjay Kumar, Managing Director, Nemetschek India, said that “The insights from Bluebeam’s report reflect the same evolution we’re witnessing in India. The construction sector is moving from adoption to integration. The next leap in efficiency and sustainability will come from connected digital ecosystems that unify data across design, construction, and operations.”

The report further highlights that 44% of firms view advanced technology as a key factor in attracting and retaining skilled professionals—an increasingly relevant finding for India’s labor-constrained construction industry. As digital ecosystems mature, India’s AEC sector stands poised to redefine how infrastructure is planned, built, and managed in the years ahead.