The construction workforce is among the 10 least prepared for AI disruption in 2026, according to hiring resource Resume Now. The company’s 2026 AI Workforce Preparedness Rankings, based on data from Lightcast Workforce Risk Outlook, place construction fifth overall for gaps between AI adoption and workforce readiness.
Construction came in at #5 with an AI skills gap score of 3.68 and a market risk score of 2.99, ranking alongside industries such as logistics and retail.
The report focuses on preparedness rather than job loss, identifying where AI use is expanding faster than workers can be trained. In construction, that includes tools tied to scheduling, forecasting and decision support that are increasingly being integrated into daily operations.
At the same time, ongoing labor shortages may make it more difficult for companies to invest in training and upskilling, potentially slowing the adoption of new tech.
Across industries, sectors with large frontline workforces — including construction — show the widest gaps between AI exposure and workforce readiness. The findings suggest companies that align skills with technology will be better positioned as AI continues to expand across the industry.
The full list of industries named in the analysis are as follows:
- Hospitality
- Healthcare
- Financial Services
- Logistics & Warehousing
- Construction
- Retail
- Manufacturing
- Utilities & Waste
- Energy & Resources
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
