THE REPORT REVEALS THE RAPID EXPANSION OF AI INFRASTRUCTURE IS MAKING DATA CENTRES THE WORLD ' S MOST IN-DEMAND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR.
TALKING POINT
GROWTH IN AI INFRASTRUCTURE FUELS DATA CENTRE CONSTRUCTION BOOM AND GLOBAL JOB CREATION
G lobal demand for AI infrastructure is reshaping the construction industry, with data centres emerging as the world ' s fastest-growing building sector and creating significant demand for skilled workers. According to a new report from Turner & Townsend, the AI boom is driving a surge in data centre construction that is stretching contractor capacity, intensifying labour shortages and accelerating investment in Digital Transformation across the construction sector.
The report reveals the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is making data centres the world ' s most in-demand construction sector. The resulting competition for specialist contractors and trades is reshaping construction priorities worldwide, with contractors increasingly favouring technology-led projects over traditional residential and commercial developments.
Covering 112 markets across 44 countries, the report found that AIled investment is creating a two-speed construction market. Highvalue data centre projects are attracting contractors and suppliers because of stronger margins while conventional building sectors are facing weaker investor confidence amid economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and ongoing workforce constraints.
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THE REPORT REVEALS THE RAPID EXPANSION OF AI INFRASTRUCTURE IS MAKING DATA CENTRES THE WORLD ' S MOST IN-DEMAND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR.
More than 70 % of markets report tightening or overstretched contractor capacity for data centre construction.
The report highlights that the explosive growth of AI has firmly established data centres as the world ' s most constrained construction sector. By comparison, more than 79 % of hospitality, residential and commercial markets report balanced or spare contractor capacity.
Data centres represent the strongest source of construction demand globally, followed by industrial and logistics developments, while renewable energy projects also recorded significant growth in 2026.
This imbalance is intensifying concerns over the availability of skilled workers needed to deliver increasingly complex AI infrastructure.
Turner & Townsend found that 87 % of markets are experiencing shortages of specialist MEP trades, creating one of the biggest challenges facing future data centre development.
The report also points to Digital Transformation within construction itself. While adoption remains uneven, 66 % of markets said AI capability is now more important during tendering and client discussions than it was a year ago, reflecting growing demand for digital delivery methods that can improve productivity.
" There is a very real risk that growth in the pool of skilled labour needed to build data centres will not keep pace with demand,” said Stephanie Marshall, Managing Director, Real Estate Cost Management, Turner & Townsend.“ AI has the potential to be a force for good in construction through significant job creation, but only if the industry invests in training, recruitment and the specialist skills needed to deliver the next generation of digital infrastructure." �
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