Welcome to the 2026AECInspireReport

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MEET THE AUTHORS

 

State of the Industry

Two years after the global boom of artificial intelligence, one year after examining the talent landscape, the AEC Inspire Report returns with a more strategic, high-level view of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry.

The prevailing question is no longer how quickly or how much firms can grow — but how well.

This year’s edition of the AEC Inspire Report invites readers to think about success as a function of strategic rebalancing. In examining industry behaviors, opportunities, and challenges through this more strategic lens, the AEC Inspire Report aims to provide both a benchmarking tool and a guiding resource for attaining sustainable, reliable growth.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

  • Strategy

    How AEC firms can expand the horizon and effectiveness of strategic plans.

  • Resilience

    Overcoming blind spots by using our 4C Assessment chart

  • Transformation

    How to leverage AI; and why AI built for AEC matters

WHO’S IN THE REPORT

By business size

Respondents represent an even spread across small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises.

By industry

Almost 80% of respondents indicated their primary industry was either construction or engineering. Some multidisciplinary respondents indicated that their organization derived revenue from more than one industry (e.g., multidisciplinary).

  • 39
    Construction
    • true
  • 37
    Engineering
    • true
  • 24
    Architecture
    • true

AEC Inspire by the Numbers

YES

75%
AEC adoption has surged to 75%
92%
Firms have a go/no-go
71%
Firms submitted more proposals

BUT

29%
Data confidence lags at only 29%
47%
Less than half use standard, formalized criteria
50%
Win rate remains steady at 50%

Compare Findings to Past Reports

Industry Report

AEC Inspire Report 2025

This edition of Unanet’s annual AEC Inspire Report reveals key insights from over 300 industry professionals on the state of talent, resourcing, and business growth in 2025.
Read More
Industry Report

AEC Inspire Report 2024

Explore industry insights, best practices, and benchmarks from Unanet’s comprehensive survey of over 300 leaders in AEC.
Read More
Industry Report

AEC Inspire Report 2022-2023

The Ascent of the Tech-Forward AEC firm findings from Unanet’s annual benchmarking survey of 395 AEC leaders offer a revealing look at AEC industry trends and a yardstick for firms to measure themselves against their peers
Read More

Get the data. Gain the insights. Take action. 

Download the 2026 AEC Inspire Report to see how leading firms are solving today’s workforce challenges – and preparing for tomorrow. 
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