Building a Smart, Sustainable Path to AI for South Carolina’s Asphalt Paving Industry 

The asphalt paving industry has long been known for its ability to blend tradition with innovation. Whether improving state-maintained roadways, supporting economic growth through infrastructure expansion, or enhancing rural connectivity, SCAPA members play a critical role in shaping the state’s transportation future. Today, as artificial intelligence continues to advance across the construction world, asphalt producers and paving contractors face a new wave of opportunity—paired with a familiar set of practical concerns. While AI may feel like a big leap, especially for companies focused on heavy civil work rather than emerging technologies, the truth is that it doesn’t require adopting every new tool all at once. Instead, the most successful firms are those that start with clear strategic focus, build foundational readiness, and integrate AI in ways that strengthen safety, quality, and operational efficiency. 

Across the broader construction industry, leaders are cautiously optimistic about growth but express hesitation around the risks of emerging technologies. SCAPA members share these concerns—data security, workforce readiness, and the potential impact on project execution. Many paving leaders are asking the same question: “We know AI is coming, but can we safely and realistically benefit from it?” These concerns are valid, especially in an industry with tight project timelines, rigorous DOT standards, and high expectations for material quality and safety. Yet the risks of falling behind are also real, especially as competitors use digital tools to better forecast production needs, streamline project planning, and optimize equipment utilization. The path forward is not rapid adoption—it’s thoughtful preparation guided by business goals rather than technological trends. 

The first essential step is to strategize. Before any paving company implements an AI solution, it must identify where AI can support existing operations rather than disrupt them. For example, asphalt producers may consider how AI could support plant optimization, using data to reduce fuel usage, improve mix consistency, or predict maintenance needs more accurately. Paving contractors may explore tools that automate scheduling, improve traffic control planning, or enhance safety reporting. Asking targeted questions—such as which decisions rely on data, where bottlenecks occur, or which tasks drain workforce capacity—helps ensure AI is applied where it delivers meaningful value. Importantly, AI should align with strategic goals already in place, such as improving project delivery, enhancing worker safety, and reducing operational costs. 

Once potential use cases are identified, building a clear roadmap ensures controlled, measurable progress. This roadmap outlines priorities, timelines, responsibilities, resource needs, and key performance indicators. For contractors, this might involve piloting AI tools on a single asphalt plant, a single paving crew, or a single administrative process before expanding. This allows firms to capture small wins that build confidence and establish best practices for larger future initiatives. 

With a strategy in place, the next critical step is to prepare. This phase moves from ideas to infrastructure—ensuring systems, processes, and people are ready for safe and effective AI adoption. Cybersecurity is the most important area of preparation. AI introduces both opportunities and vulnerabilities, especially as more SC paving firms adopt cloud-based project management tools, telematics systems, and digital quality control platforms. Increasing patch frequency, enforcing multi-factor authentication, maintaining clear audit trails, and training employees to recognize AI-driven threats such as deepfakes or advanced phishing attempts all strengthen organizational resilience. AI can also be used defensively—for example, by analyzing user behavior to detect anomalies or automating responses to certain threats. 

Internal controls also become more important as firms integrate AI into plant operations, project planning, or financial modeling. It is essential to define who can input data into AI tools, which datasets require encryption, and when human oversight is required. For the asphalt sector, where mix designs, production data, and bid information are highly sensitive, these safeguards are critical. Establishing an internal AI policy further clarifies expectations. This document outlines what AI may be used for, who approves its use, how data is handled, and the ethical standards required for responsible adoption. 

Finally, workforce preparation is key. Whether an employee is operating a paver, managing a plant, analyzing financial data, or coordinating logistics, they must understand how AI fits into their workflow. Training ensures employees recognize both the value of AI and the risks associated with misusing it. Executive leadership also plays a pivotal role—when leaders speak confidently about AI and model responsible adoption, employees follow their example. SCAPA members know that workforce culture and communication are central to jobsite safety and project success, and the same is true for technology. 

As the asphalt paving industry continues to modernize, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the speed of change. Contractors don’t need to act on every new development. The most successful companies will be those that quiet the noise, reflect on their business needs, and take practical steps that support long-term success. By starting small, building strategically, and preparing thoroughly, South Carolina’s paving community can adopt AI in ways that strengthen operations, enhance safety, and preserve the high-quality standards that define the industry. 

Special thanks to Forvis Mazars for their expertise support with the SCAPA's 2026 Winter Conference and the Emerging Leaders Institute program.

Connect with Kathryn Schneider

Kathryn Schneider
Director | Consulting
Forvis Mazars
M: 703.402.1128
kathryn.schneider@us.forvismazars.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynschneider/