A Multi-Dimensional Assessment of Digital Transformation and AI in Driving Resilience and Sustainability of Construction Firms

Abstract

This paper is a multi-dimensional evaluation of how digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) can increase the resilience and sustainability of construction companies. Based on empirical evidence gathered among construction organizations of various maturity stages, the research determines the impact of the digital capabilities, analytics powered by AI, and integrated information on the operational stability, environmental performance, and long-term competitiveness. Quantitative data show that highly transformed digital firms are characterized by around 35-45 greater operational resilience (manifested by better response time to disruption, proactive risk management and continued initiation of projects). The further impact of AI usage is the 30 percent efficiency of resources and the 25 percent decrease in the overruns, which is achieved through predictive maintenance, data-based scheduling, and real-time decision support.

The results of sustainability indicate that there was a decrease in material waste by 28% and a decrease in carbon-related inefficiencies by 22% in digitally mature firms, which seemed to be closely connected between AI-enabled digital processes and environmental performance. A Digital Resiliency and Sustainability Index (DRSI) was created based on the weighted scores of digital integration (0.35), AI capability (0.30), organizational adaptability (0.20), and sustainability governance (0.15). Companies with a score of the index above 0.70 showed a substantially greater financial stability and ESG performance than the low-scoring ones. The results prove that digital transformation and AI are complementary enablers of resilience and sustainability and not separate technological interventions. The research paper adds to the literature of construction management as it provides empirical support and a systematic examination framework in order to drive strategic digital investment and the design of policies in the built environment sector.