Sonkor, M S and García de Soto, B (2025) Using ChatGPT in construction projects: unveiling its cybersecurity risks through a bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Construction Management, 25(7), pp. 741-749. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
ChatGPT, a large language model chatbot by OpenAI, has increasingly become a part of employees' day-to-day activities in numerous industries, including construction, and researchers have looked into this tool since its first release in late 2022 to assist in different fields. One of the benefits of such tools can be related to improved efficiency; however, it raises data privacy and security concerns. Considering the increasing reliance on information technology and operational technology for enhanced productivity, accuracy and quality in projects, these concerns also affect the construction sector. This study presents an overview of the existing literature on the applications of ChatGPT in the construction sector, highlighting its potential to revolutionize various resource-intensive tasks in projects and the related cybersecurity risks. VOSviewer is used for bibliometric analysis of academic publications and to identify the relevant cybersecurity problems. The identified issues are categorized into three main groups and discussed in the context of construction applications. Suggestions are provided to address identified concerns. This paper highlights the importance of ensuring the secure deployment of ChatGPT in the construction sector, a subject that has not been explored in the existing literature.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | chatgpt; construction 4.0; cybersecurity; large language model; machine learning |
| Index terms: | construction project, privacy, construction sector, machine learning, publication, information technology, large language model, accuracy, bibliometric analysis, construction 4.0, efficiency, productivity |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, research evaluation and metrics, professional development, management, performance management, artificial intelligence, data science, computing systems, professional ethics, production management, research dissemination and communication, digital engineering |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Quality Management, Legal Issues, Engineering Principles, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here