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As UK project-based businesses continue to evolve in digital maturity, new research highlights a clear shift from experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) to embedding it across project lifecycles. This is already delivering measurable business impact.
Deltek’s latest report, part of its 7th Annual Clarity Trends and Insights for Architecture, Engineering and Consulting Firms, shows that 55% of UK architecture, engineering, and consultancy firms describe themselves as being in the advanced stages of digital transformation. However, the drop in firms identifying as ‘advanced’ from 20% in 2025 to 15% in 2026 is viewed less as a slowdown and more as a sign of deeper integration of digital practices into everyday operations.
AI is increasingly being treated as a core part of strategic planning rather than a standalone tool. Around 29% of firms have prioritised operationalising AI, embedding it into areas such as project forecasting, planning, reporting, and resource management. Early results are already visible, with nearly half of UK organisations reporting moderate improvements in productivity and cost, and 12% seeing significant returns on their AI investments.
Alongside this, firms are placing greater emphasis on operational and financial management as project complexity increases. AI implementation is expected to be a key driver of profitability by 2026, while effective cost control remains central to improving financial performance across expanding project portfolios. Confidence in tracking project profitability, utilisation, and overhead rates is also high, reflecting the growing role of digital systems in supporting project visibility and control.
As AI adoption grows across the Project Economy, workforce capabilities are also shifting. AI literacy is identified as the most important emerging skill over the next three years, alongside the challenge of equipping teams to work effectively in increasingly digital project environments.
Overall, the findings point to a progression from building digital foundations to focusing on how those investments are applied. As AI becomes more embedded across organisations, attention is turning to improving productivity, enhancing decision-making, and strengthening financial outcomes across project-based businesses.
