This article is part of a blog series, which explores the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction.

The construction industry has not yet fully embraced artificial intelligence solutions. In this article, we will review the applications and algorithms that can help bridge the technology gap at every stage of the construction process, from design to preconstruction, construction, operations, and asset management.

As proven by many surveys, AI return on investment (ROI) is high, and there is a significant management interest in AI solutions. Unfortunately, only very few firms or owners have the resources, staff, processes, and tools to set them up.

AI implemented in other industries has been very successful. So how can construction benefit from their learnings?

McKinsey's research revealed a growing focus on technological solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI)-powered algorithms. These technologies, Robotics, AI, and the Internet of Things, focus on overcoming some of the AECO industry's most significant challenges, including cost and schedule overruns and safety concerns. Utilizing these technologies on a project could reduce building costs by up to 20 percent, track the work as it progresses, and plan the routing of electrical and plumbing systems in modern buildings. It can also develop safety systems for worksites by monitoring the real-time interactions of workers, machinery, and objects on-site, and alerting supervisors of potential safety issues, construction errors, and productivity issues.

It is feared by most that AI may create a massive loss of jobs. We do not believe that AI will replace the human workforce. In fact, we think that thanks to AI, the construction industry will change its business models, which will result in fewer costly errors, fewer accidents on site, smoother building operations, and better efficiency.

To prioritize your AI investment, you should understand where AI can have the most impact on your business needs.

From planning to maintaining an asset, professionals embrace AI to add efficiency and accuracy to projects, monitor and track equipment usage and location, and perform many other AI-driven applications.

McKinsey & Company identifies AI as a critical component of modern engineering and construction approaches.

What transformations can Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning bring to construction?

With artificial intelligence and machine learning, the construction industry has a chance to transform itself by reducing manual, inconvenient, repetitive work and automating the decision-making process.

Artificial intelligence spending in 2030 is forecasted to reach 16.96 billion. This growth will significantly increase the construction industry's profits by 2035.

Three ways AI and Machine Learning will change the way the construction industry operates:

Producing higher efficiency

Reducing errors by automating the data entry workflows will make project management more engaging while maintaining contract compliance on construction projects, especially for submittal log creation and document closeout.

If you introduce AI and ML to automate labor-intensive and tedious tasks to catch early errors, your teams will be able to focus on more rewarding tasks and strategy. They will reduce the overall cost of your project, avoiding costly reworks.

As much as 30% of all building materials delivered to a typical construction site can end up as waste. (ScienceDirect). The industry must start prioritizing accuracy.

Mitigating Risk.

Automating your processes with AI and ML will help you to mitigate financial risks in your projects and physical risks that may cause injuries on construction sites.

In terms of financial risk, automating repetitive tasks with AI and ML allows for cutting the time spent on those manual tasks from hours to merely minutes. Your team can then focus on more strategic tasks.

In terms of physical risks, on-site AI can detect and prevent quality issues, provide visibility into high-risk areas, and mitigate health and safety risks by helping to change behaviors and avoid hazards by predicting the probability of getting injured on a jobsite.

Saving Time

AI and ML need human intelligence to effectively act as a tool to help people work to the best of their abilities.

Using AI and 3D Printing, for example, can significantly reduce human effort and, in dangerous areas, avoid unnecessary accidents. But you still need an operator to monitor the work. Artificial intelligence helps enhance the quality and speed of work, but it will never be a replacement for human intelligence.

In Conclusion

The construction industry just started to use Artificial Intelligence applications, AI, and machine learning solutions, which will help cut down on manual work, mitigate risk, reduce human error, and free up time for more critical tasks. Still, it won't be lowering jobs for the foreseeable future. AI and ML are complementary tools to human intelligence, empowering you to be the best architect, engineer, or contractor you can be.

It is time for you to embrace digital transformation and review your business model with the help of AI to improve your decision-making process and gain competitiveness.

Driving Vision's technology diagnostic looks at the best way to incorporate modern technology into your workflows and how to move your organization to the use of Construction 4.0 technologies so you can open new possibilities for your daily planning tasks.

The technology appraisal report will help you explore the investment required to improve your projects' productivity and collaboration, as well as the ROI you can expect.

Implementing BIM can be daunting, but Driving Vision is here to help you at the pace you are comfortable with. Get started by getting in touch now