The Productivity Promise: A Critical Study of AI-Driven Monitoring Technologies and Their Impact on Construction Productivity

Construction organisations are increasingly turning to AI-enabled monitoring systems, such as machine-vision progress tracking, predictive safety and productivity analytics, and automated resource allocation, to enhance project delivery and reduce inefficiencies. These technologies promise real-time insights, faster decision-making, and the ability to optimise workflows at a scale previously impossible. However, empirical evidence on their actual productivity impact remains limited, fragmented, and often driven by vendor claims rather than independent, site-based evaluation. This PhD project will critically examine how AI-driven monitoring systems influence construction productivity and project delivery outcomes. It will investigate how these tools are integrated into everyday site practices, how project teams interpret and act upon AI-generated insights, and how the presence of monitoring technologies shapes behaviours, communication, and coordination across project stakeholders. The research will also explore both the productivity gains and the potential unintended consequences, such as increased monitoring pressure, data misinterpretation, or workflow disruptions, that may undermine expected benefits. The ultimate goal is to develop a robust performance evaluation framework that enables construction organisations to assess the true value, limitations, and risks of AI implementations. This framework will support more evidence-informed decision-making, helping organisations determine when, where, and how AI-enabled monitoring technologies genuinely contribute to improved productivity and project delivery. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

The standard University IELTS English language requirement is 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each individual element (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

International students: £29,500

UK students: £5,238

UK/Home: £5,238

International: £29,500

October 2026, February 2027, July 2027

31 December 2026

• Loughborough, United Kingdom