# Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.05414 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.05414/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 14 of its 177 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 9 Oct 2023.

## Builds on (most cited first, 14 of 14)

- [Grad-CAM: Visual Explanations from Deep Networks via Gradient-based Localization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1610.02391/) (2016)
- [A Unified Approach to Interpreting Model Predictions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1705.07874/) (2017)
- ["Why Should I Trust You?": Explaining the Predictions of Any Classifier](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1602.04938/) (2016)
- [Trustworthy AI: A Computational Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.06641/) (2021)
- [Investigating the use of ChatGPT for the scheduling of construction projects](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.02805/) (2023)
- [Modeling and Predicting Trust Dynamics in Human-Robot Teaming: A Bayesian Inference Approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2007.13151/) (2020)
- [The Dark Side of Ethical Robots](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1606.02583/) (2016)
- [AI-based Prediction of Independent Construction Safety Outcomes from Universal Attributes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1908.05972/) (2019)
- [Trustworthy AI and Robotics and the Implications for the AEC Industry: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Potentials](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.13373/) (2021)
- [Real-time 3D Reconstruction on Construction Site using Visual SLAM and UAV](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1712.07122/) (2017)
- [Toward quantifying trust dynamics: How people adjust their trust after moment-to-moment interaction with automation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.07374/) (2021)
- [Automated Generation of Dimensioned Rectangular Floorplans](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1910.00081/) (2019)
- [Construction Payment Automation Using Blockchain-Enabled Smart Contracts and Reality Capture Technologies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.15232/) (2020)
- [Decision Support System for an Intelligent Operator of Utility Tunnel Boring Machines](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.02463/) (2021)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics research and implementation emerged in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to positively impact project efficiency and effectiveness concerns such as safety, productivity, and quality. This shift, however, warrants the need for ethical considerations of AI and robotics adoption due to its potential negative impacts on aspects such as job security, safety, and privacy. Nevertheless, this did not receive sufficient attention, particularly within the academic community. This research systematically reviews AI and robotics research through the lens of ethics in the AEC community for the past five years. It identifies nine key ethical issues namely job loss, data privacy, data security, data transparency, decision-making conflict, acceptance and trust, reliability and safety, fear of surveillance, and liability, by summarizing existing literature and filtering it further based on its AEC relevance. Furthermore, thirteen research topics along the process were identified based on existing AEC studies that had direct relevance to the theme of ethics in general and their parallels are further discussed. Finally, the current challenges and knowledge gaps are discussed and seven specific future research directions are recommended. This study not only signifies more stakeholder awareness of this important topic but also provides imminent steps towards safer and more efficient realization.