There is a sense of optimism around the use of technology across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) construction industry, with business leaders increasingly embracing emerging technologies like AI and sustainability-focused innovations to drive performance, attract new talent, and build long-term resilience.
Our latest report, 2025 State of Design & Make: Spotlight on Construction, finds that despite challenges including economic uncertainty and a persistent skills gap facing the industry, construction leaders across the APAC region are looking to the future with positivity – and digital transformation is playing a key role.
While the global construction industry including APAC continues to navigate cost pressures, regulatory changes, and supply chain volatility, many APAC-based businesses see opportunity in change. A key insight from the report is the strong correlation between digital maturity and business confidence. APAC leaders whose companies are further along in their digital transformation journey are significantly more optimistic about their future financial performance.
Globally, 82% of digital leaders feel positive about the financial outlook for their business – compared to just 52% of beginners. That optimism is echoed in APAC markets, where growing investment in cloud-based systems, common data environments (CDEs), and AI-driven workflows is transforming project delivery across the board.
Industry leaders view the construction sector as a top career choice for the future. A major factor underpinning this transformation is talent. Despite challenges posed by an aging workforce and persistent skills shortages, construction is increasingly seen as an attractive industry for the next generation. Globally, 65% of respondents agree that construction is a desirable career option for the emerging workforce and sentiment in APAC is especially strong.
Across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, China, and India, perceptions of construction as a viable and rewarding career path are rising. For example, 77% of respondents in India, 73% in Southeast Asia, and 68% in Australia and New Zealand believe construction presents strong career opportunities. This offers a golden opportunity for APAC firms to tap into a growing pool of digitally native young professionals who are eager to work with cutting-edge technologies across the construction landscape.
One of the most promising areas at the intersection of digital tools and talent development is sustainability. In APAC and globally, sustainability has shifted from a secondary concern to a strategic priority for construction businesses. And increasingly, it's AI that’s helping construction firms achieve their sustainability goals.
According to the report, 63% of construction organisations are already using AI to enhance sustainability, and 94% are taking some form of action to reduce their environmental impact. In APAC, where urbanisation and climate change are major concerns, digital solutions that help optimise energy use, reduce waste, and support low-carbon design are gaining traction.
Sustainability is also proving to be a compelling draw for talent. Sixty-five percent of global respondents, and a growing share in APAC, say that sustainability initiatives help attract and retain employees. For younger professionals seeking purpose-driven work, involvement in high-impact, sustainability-focused construction projects can be a powerful motivator.
AI adoption in the APAC construction sector is still evolving, but momentum is building. The report shows that while only 32% of firms globally have achieved or are close to achieving their AI goals, early adopters are finding success in areas such as estimating, scheduling, and document management.
In APAC, forward-thinking firms are also exploring AI to drive efficiencies in design collaboration and field coordination. Companies like Gamuda in Malaysia are already using AI and geospatial technology to monitor biodiversity and land-use impacts on major infrastructure projects. This is demonstrating how AI can support both operational excellence and environmental responsibility.
Looking ahead, AI is set to become a standard tool across the project lifecycle, from cost management to sustainability reporting and even predictive maintenance. For APAC firms, the challenge now is to ensure their workforce is equipped with the digital skills needed to maximise the benefits of AI.
As APAC construction companies adopt more advanced tools and data-driven workflows, continuous learning is essential. The report highlights that 64% of global construction leaders are implementing ongoing training and upskilling programs to bridge talent gaps; and APAC is no exception.
Forward-looking firms in the region are building cultures of learning, investing in internal training, and collaborating with education partners to develop tomorrow’s construction professionals. These trends highlight how organisations investing in digital capability today are likely to reap long-term workforce and productivity benefits.
Ultimately, digital transformation is not just about technology: it’s about creating smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable ways of working. For APAC construction leaders, the combination of AI-powered insights, robust sustainability strategies, and a tech-savvy workforce is reshaping the future of the industry.
With optimism rising and the tools for transformation in hand, construction companies across APAC are not just adapting to change – they’re building a better future.
To find out more about the state of the construction industry across APAC and globally, click here to download the full report.
