AI and Civil Engineering: A Smarter Way Forward
Embracing AI with Intention: A strategic, purposeful path forward in civil engineering
Alex Bone · 4 min read
Civil engineering is built on precision, discipline, and risk management — and for good reason. When projects are vast, highly regulated, and deeply complex, the instinct to plan exhaustively and execute flawlessly is both necessary and valuable.
But when this mindset is applied to digital innovation, it can hold teams back. Digital tools thrive on experimentation, adaptability, and learning through doing. In a world where technology evolves daily, waiting for the “perfect” solution means missing opportunities entirely.
The question isn’t whether AI belongs in civil engineering. It’s how we make it work for this industry — thoughtfully, strategically, and with purpose. We have strong opinions in this space and also put these questions to Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI at Mott MacDonald to hear her thoughts.
AI in Civil Engineering: The Challenge and the Opportunity
AI isn’t new to civil engineering. Optimisation algorithms and machine learning have long been used for structural analysis, automation, and efficiency improvements. But generative AI, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs) introduce something fundamentally different — a new way of working, thinking, and collaborating.
Unlike traditional deterministic systems, these AI tools are probabilistic, adaptive, and constantly evolving. That means they challenge those that are risk averse, which is often a necessary mindset in the civil engineering space. And this is where things get exciting.
Rather than seeing AI as a disruption, we see it as a catalyst for smarter decision-making, faster workflows, and more connected teams.
“The reputation we have as Civil Engineers, of being able to actually deliver solutions, which are a little bit different, but meet our customers where they are at — is a real strength. I want to use AI to enhance and build on this.”
— Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI, Mott MacDonald
This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about unlocking real, practical advantages — right now.
Where AI Can Make a Difference Today: Smarter Collaboration
One of the biggest challenges in civil engineering is collaboration. Projects involve hundreds, sometimes thousands of people — from designers and engineers to contractors, suppliers, and regulators.
Every decision has ripple effects. Every change must be carefully managed. And yet, as in all large organisations, communication can be fragmented, slow and reactive.
This is where AI shines.
AI-driven project assistants can track discussions, anticipate dependencies, and highlight potential conflicts — before they become costly delays.
LLMs can process vast amounts of project data instantly, delivering insights that would otherwise take weeks to compile.
AI-powered tools can streamline compliance and documentation, keeping teams aligned and reducing administrative overhead.
“We already see this in action. Conveying information is really supported by adopting AI. It can help alleviate information overload… it’s about finding the right balance, so that you get the right information to the right person at the right time.”
— Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI, Mott MacDonald
At Mettle, we’re already working with teams to bring these capabilities to life. AI has the power to transform how civil engineering projects operate — not by replacing expertise, but by enhancing it.
Mott MacDonald: EMMA in browser interface
Conservatism as a superpower
I believe the constraints and natural risk aversion present within civil engineering, coupled with the desire to drive innovation, create a real superpower. Engineers are asking sensible questions of innovation teams: Is this really a valuable use case? What are the risks? What guardrails do we need to have in place?
“This conservatism, which typically might have been seen as an inhibitor of innovation, I see as being a mature filter on the vast array of possible opportunities, forcing serious questions to be asked about chosen opportunities to explore, the manner in which risks are being addressed, and how any security concerns are being alleviated.”
— Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI, Mott MacDonald
Rather than diving headlong into AI adoption, civil engineering is taking a more deliberate, structured approach. This is a discipline that deals with high-stakes projects — where errors can impact lives.
“We’ve been working a lot on governance to start with — just setting a bit of a structure to assess what are the actual risks, what are the risks that we are ready to take, and showing that we’ve got a system in place to mitigate some of these risks.”
— Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI, Mott MacDonald
By starting small and proving value in low-risk applications, AI adoption can grow organically. When teams see the tangible benefits, resistance fades, and trust in AI-driven solutions builds over time.
Beyond Adoption: AI as an Evolutionary Tool
AI’s potential in civil engineering goes beyond efficiency — it can redefine how projects are managed, how decisions are made, and even how organisations think about risk and innovation.
“The opportunity is tremendous. The risk appetite generally of civil engineering offers a really interesting sort of resistance to some of this change. It’s not like we’re diving headlong into adopting AI for everything, and I think that challenge is really good. I think that’s going to drive quality, drive disciplined choices around where’s best to place AI.”
— Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI, Mott MacDonald
In many ways, the industry’s careful approach to AI adoption is a strength. Rather than rushing into unproven solutions, civil engineers are taking a methodical approach — analysing where AI can provide the most value and ensuring that it aligns with industry regulations, safety standards, and business goals.
“I think in that situation, actually being slower adopters in the industry — as long as we are not falling really behind — may be the right approach. Because things are moving so fast… being slightly removed from the bleeding edge, could be the perfect opportunity space for us.”
— Nasrine Tomasi, Head of AI, Mott MacDonald
AI isn’t here to replace civil engineers. It’s here to empower them. By leveraging AI strategically, civil engineering firms can drive better outcomes, enhance collaboration, and ultimately build a more resilient, innovative future.
The future of AI in civil engineering isn’t about disruption — it’s about evolution.
Alex Bone · 2 September 2025
