Artificial Intelligence is set to transform UK infrastructure and deliver over £14bn a year in new revenue, according to new data from digital specialists SenSat.

The findings - from an independent survey data of 404 UK decision-makers in infrastructure and large-scale businesses in the architecture, engineering and construction sector - also show the vast majority (90%) believe AI will transform the industry. 

Respondents also believe that four in ten construction firms who don’t embrace digitisation risk going out of business within ten years.

But the research also shows great confidence in British tech, as 40% of respondents believe the UK is leading the world in infrastructure AI. 

The data also provides insight into where the main thrust of digital innovation is going to come from, pointing out a skills gap when it comes to digital twin technology. Fully 99% of respondents said digital twins, or digital representations of real world locations, will be important in the future, but only 44% use them now.

Mike Sort, chief scientific advisor, Department for International Trade, said: “It’s encouraging to see that the UK is not just leading in Artificial Intelligence research, but also increasingly in the digitisation of infrastructure by training AI on real world data. 

“By speaking to those working at the forefront of infrastructure delivery, SenSat have provided valuable insight into the way our construction methods are evolving, and proved the scale of opportunity in this vitally important industry.”

James Dean, SenSat CEO, said: “Around the world, well-functioning, modern infrastructure is central to economic development and quality of life. And yet, the way we plan and deliver infrastructure is antiquated in context of the automation and transparency that has transformed online industries. This technology will help us to build a more sustainable future, using the wealth of new insight to help people make better decisions.

“We’re already seeing the kind of changes AI and digitisation can make. We’re most proud of the impact we’re seeing to our clients businesses, and the effect our technology makes on their ability to deliver critical infrastructure in a more sustainable way.”

Click here to download the Scale of Digital Disruption: Infrastructure white paper.