Ethical and Responsible AI in Engineering and Construction Projects: Governance, Trust, and Human-Centered Design

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in engineering and construction projects promises greater efficiency, design optimisation, and enhanced risk management, but it also raises pressing ethical questions surrounding governance, trust, and human-centered design (HCD). This multidisciplinary review critically evaluates the current state of responsible AI deployment in the built environment. Employing a systematic thematic synthesis methodology, the study organises the literature into three core domains: governance structures (e.g., regulatory frameworks and institutional oversight), trust mechanisms (e.g., transparency, explainability, stakeholder engagement), and HCD practices (e.g., participatory design and usability testing). Findings reveal fragmented approaches across these domains and tensions between rapid technical innovation and ethical imperatives. The synthesis highlights that ethical AI in construction requires context-specific governance, structured trust-building mechanisms, and user-value-driven design processes. Based on these insights, the article proposes an integrative framework for policymakers, engineering firms, and AI tool developers, and outlines a future research agenda emphasising real-world fieldwork, participatory pilots, and cross-jurisdictional policy studies. Ultimately, the review underscores the importance of embedding ethics across the AI lifecycle to ensure socially responsible, human-centred transformation in engineering and construction.