Autodesk report reveals AECO leaders are grappling with cost and talent shortages

Autodesk says 64% of AECO professionals believe the world is becoming more unpredictable (Photo: AdobeStock)

Talent shortages are another significant hurdle - 58% of AECO leaders say the lack of skilled workers is stalling growth, the report notes.

Autodesk adds that 64% of AECO professionals believe the world is becoming more unpredictable, and many feel ill-equipped to manage sudden disruptions. Confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) is also on the decline. While 80% of leaders viewed AI as beneficial to the industry in 2024, that figure has dropped to 68% in 2025. Meanwhile, 46% worry that AI could destabilise their sector, says the report.

Despite a dip in year-over-year investments, 64% of AECO leaders plan to increase their investments moving forward, Autodesk reports. Sustainability remains a beacon of progress - 95% of respondents say their organisations are actively pursuing sustainability initiatives, and 39% are using AI to support those efforts.

Among the AECO segments, leaders in Utilities and Telecom are the most enthusiastic about AI’s potential. Seventy percent believe it will enhance their industry, and they are the least concerned about disruption, says the report. Rather than viewing AI as a threat to jobs, these sectors see it as a powerful tool for predictive maintenance and energy optimisation.

In contrast, professionals in Architecture are more skeptical. Only 57% believe AI will enhance their work, placing them below the global average, Autodesk notes.

Construction Services leaders are especially focused on cost control, with 40% citing it as their primary concern. Just 23% view AI or technological change as a major challenge. Similarly, leaders in Oil and Gas, Building Ownership, and Architectural Services also prioritise cost over innovation, says the report.