Using ChatGPT in construction projects: unveiling its cybersecurity risks through a bibliometric analysis

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.