How Workplaces Are Using AI in 2025

AI Adoption is Up

• 71% of organisations now allow staff to use AI.
• 6% mandate its use.
• Only 4% prohibit it, but AI scepticism is fading fast.

Admin Leads the Way

• 95% of Victorian employers use AI for admin tasks
• 41% also use it for technical tasks, particularly in architecture and engineering.

Industry Trends at a Glance

• Project managers and engineers are leading AI adoption across Victoria, with strong use in admin and growing interest in technical applications.
• Architecture is close behind, using AI across both design and administration.
• Planning and construction remain more cautious, focusing mostly on admin tasks as they explore where AI fits best.

Employees are Still Catching Up

• Only 17% of employees use AI regularly at work.
• Most (57%) use it occasionally or once, pointing to a need for better training and clearer use cases.

What It Means For You

• Employees: You don’t need to be technical to use AI. Start small. Admin tools are a low-risk, high-reward entry point.
• Employers: If you’re allowing AI but not seeing uptake, you may need to consider clearer guidance and training to see better adoption amongst your team.

The Wrap-Up

AI in the workplace isn’t a trend, it’s a transition. The built environment may not be known for early tech adoption, but those who are curious and proactive are getting ahead. 

For more insights from our 2025 PACE Report, including 265 industry-specific salary levels – download the report and in doing so you’ll support a local Victorian charity, with 100% of proceeds going to Women’s Property Initiatives.

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FAQs

What are the benefits of using AI for admin tasks?

AI saves time, reduces manual effort, and improves accuracy in routine admin processes. Whether you're managing a project, designing a building, or reviewing engineering plans, AI can help streamline emails, meeting notes, schedules, and document formatting.

Is AI replacing jobs in construction, architecture, planning, or engineering in Victoria?

No. In 2025, AI is being used to support, not replace, professionals in the built environment. It helps reduce repetitive tasks and improve workflows, but core responsibilities still rely on human judgment, experience, and industry knowledge.

How can I start using AI in my role?

Begin with small tasks: summarising meetings, brainstorming ideas, or formatting reports. Admin tools are a safe, low-risk entry point regardless of your discipline. From there, explore technical use cases relevant to your role or industry.

How are companies using AI in the workplace in 2025?

In 2025, most companies across the built environment are using AI to handle administrative tasks. Some are also using it for technical tasks - particularly in engineering and architecture.

What is the role of AI in project management today?

AI is helping project managers automate admin-heavy tasks like progress reporting, meeting minutes, and stakeholder updates. It’s also being explored for resource planning, risk tracking, and workflow automation, freeing up time for strategic decision-making.

Are Victorian town planners using AI technology in 2025?

Planning teams are cautiously adopting AI, with 58% of planning employers now allowing its use. AI can be used for tasks like policy summarisation, data interpretation, and preliminary site research, but many planners are still in early adoption phases.

How is AI used in Victorian architecture firms in 2025?

AI is widely accepted in architecture practices. AI Tools can assist with conceptual design, drafting support, client presentations, and admin work like emails and reports. Architecture had one of the highest employee-reported technical use rates of AI in 2025.

What AI tools are used in Victoria's construction industry?

Construction teams are using AI mostly for admin tasks, for example, AI could be used for site reports, timesheet processing, and documentation. While technical use is still emerging, we’ll start to see more experiment with AI for safety monitoring, schedule forecasts, and equipment tracking.

How are engineers in Victoria using AI in their day-to-day work?

Engineering teams report strong uptake of AI in 2025, particularly for technical work. Uses could include design optimisation, data validation, reporting automation, and document preparation. Admin tools are also heavily used to improve team efficiency.