A new report from Revizto, a leading collaboration platform for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Operations (AECO) sector, reveals a deep-seated concern among industry leaders regarding data sovereignty. According to the Bridging the Gap Report, 96% of CIOs are concerned about data ownership and control across their technology stacks. The study suggests that the industry conversation has shifted from the cost of tools to the long-term risks of "vendor lock-in" and the ability to retain critical project data when relationships with software providers change.
Data Sovereignty: 96% of CIOs report anxiety over data ownership and control.
AI Barriers: Regulatory uncertainty (24%) and limited digital skills (23%) are the top obstacles to AI adoption.
Project Failure: 92% of projects experience cost overruns of 6% or more, indicating a normalization of missed targets.
Tech Strategy: CIOs are split; 41% plan to expand their tech stacks while 39% plan to consolidate.
Study Scope: Insights were gathered from 600 CIOs and 2,000+ total professionals across global markets, including the US, UK, and Middle East.
Market Reality: Only 10% of firms report seeing value from AI without remaining barriers.
Despite the hype surrounding artificial intelligence, the AECO sector faces a significant readiness gap. Beyond regulatory and skill-based hurdles, 17% of respondents cited a lack of integrations and 15% pointed to poor data foundations as primary blockers. Industry veterans suggest that the pressure to deploy AI is outpacing the resolution of fundamental coordination problems.
"Deploying powerful tools on top of broken workflows doesn't accelerate delivery; it accelerates failure," said Steven Capper, CIO and Chair of Revizto's Advisory Board. He noted a rising "AI fatigue" in the industry as CIOs struggle to articulate tangible benefits amidst fragmented data environments.
The report sheds light on a staggering trend in project delivery: a staggering 92% of respondents experience cost overruns of at least 6%. The study argues that the sector has effectively "normalized" missing targets, building in a tolerance of roughly 10% that represents billions in lost value across multimillion-dollar builds. CIOs are increasingly viewed as the frontline defense against these inefficiencies, pressured to deliver more value without adding "tech bloat."
For many leaders, the path forward is not more technology, but better governance. The shift toward " multifunctional value" means choosing tools that keep data in the hands of the project owners rather than locked in proprietary vendor ecosystems.
"Locking data into a single vendor is viewed as a serious risk," said Marc Schütz, Chief Product Officer at Revizto. "The path forward isn't more technology. It's better control over the technology already in play."
About Revizto
Revizto enables architects, engineers, contractors, and owners to collaborate in a shared 2D/3D space across the entire building lifecycle. Headquartered in Switzerland and backed by Summit Partners, Revizto is used by global firms like Jacobs, AECOM, and Skanska to deliver critical infrastructure. The platform was recognized among Switzerland's Best Managed Companies and the FT1000: Europe's Fastest-Growing Companies in 2025.
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