This article is part of a blog series, which explores the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction.
The construction industry is facing numerous complex challenges, including cost and time overruns, health and safety concerns, productivity issues, and labor shortages. The industry has not developed digitalization as far as other sectors have, preventing it from addressing the challenges it currently faces.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its associated technologies, such as machine learning, knowledge-based systems, computer vision, robotics, and optimization, have been introduced in other industries to achieve significant benefits, including increased profitability, efficiency, and safety and security.
AI applications in the construction industry present opportunities, but also pose challenges in implementing the right solutions fully. Due to the absence of adequate digital skills and poor technology adoption, the industry has not yet overcome its poor performance in terms of cost inefficiencies, projects delayed, poor quality, and decision-making leading to a lack of productivity and health and safety issues.
Artificial intelligence could help to improve automation and provide superior competitive advantages compared to conventional approaches. The application of AI and its subdomains can address the construction challenges by monitoring health and safety, enhancing cost estimates, streamlining processes, and mitigating risks.
Integrated with robotics, AI could help monitor performances on-site, improving offsite assembly processes, controlling materials, plant, and equipment, managing risk and waste, and assessing Sustainability.
So why is AI so little used in construction? Is it due to cultural barriers, a lack of trust, or security concerns? High costs of implementing AI-based solutions? Talent shortages, or computing power and internet connectivity?
It could be all of the above! To address these issues, we have conducted some research on how the construction industry could develop AI applications. We explore in this article the challenges and future opportunities for AI applications in the construction industry.
Intelligent machines surpass humans in learning how to take advantage of technologies such as big data and computer processing power. The major AI solutions can solve the following issues in learning and knowledge representation, perception, planning, action, and communication.
A survey showed that over 60% of AI applications in the construction industry are using quantum computing, Cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain technologies.
AI delivers proven results in reducing costs and time, improving safety, achieving better accuracy, and overall increasing productivity.
The main challenges of implementing AI in construction come from the fact that the data is incomplete, investment is significant, and data and knowledge are complex to obtain.
The adoption of AI techniques combined with Building Information Modelling (BIM) helps optimize designs for offsite construction, choose the right materials, re-use objects from previous projects, achieve waste efficiencies, and optimize building deconstruction.
Quantum computing solves computational tasks more efficiently than classical computers. AI can use Quantum computing to accelerate problem-solving.
The IoT uses sensors, actuators, wireless technologies (e.g., RFID), cloud computing, and faster and cheaper devices with increased processing capabilities.
The IoT, integrated with AI, can solve energy-saving issues.
The IoT-enabled BIM platforms improve real-time visibility and traceability in modular and prefabrication construction techniques. IoT can also generate early warnings and alarms in hazardous construction sites.
The threats are common in the construction industry. Cybercrimes have increased with the introduction of level 3 BIM, the use of immersive technologies (AR/VR), the IoT, and AI. By integrating cryptography with AI, blockchain can help ensure the legitimacy of transactions and secure data.
Waste in construction and demolition is rapidly and continually developing. Waste is detrimental to the environment. A paradigm shift in waste management, facilitated by advanced data analytics, could significantly minimize waste through waste intelligence, thereby reducing waste after it occurs. Waste analytics minimizes waste through design using BIM.
Here are the seven significant opportunities and benefits for AI applications in the construction industry:
AI-based estimation models help to produce accurate estimates at the early stages of a project, reducing economic and financial risks.
Using BIM 4D (time) and 5D (costs) with AI increases the accuracy and reliability of cost and time estimates in the construction industry.
BIM automation with AI for cost and time estimation processes can further reduce the workload of cost estimators.
Thanks to the use of IoT sensors and AI on construction sites, the industry is transitioning to innovative site management.
Construction sites collect a large volume of images, videos, and other forms of data in real-time. AI aggregates these data in BIM and analyzes performances to improve project management and optimize planning, enhance safety, improve quality,
maximize scheduling, enhance design, and reduce cost.
Construction jobs are evolving rapidly thanks to automation using technologies such as AI and IoT. Medium to low-educated jobs are at high risk (38–45%) of disappearing due to the introduction of AI by the mid-2030s, but low to medium-skilled workers will be able, with little training, to change their work, to become trainers and testers of the new systems. New roles will be needed, such as BIM project managers, technical coordinators in design, AI researcher engineers, etc.
BIM is now adopted worldwide. The UK government even mandated BIM Level 2 for all publicly procured projects.
However, BIM adoption in small projects remains very low. Combining BIM applications with AI subdomains such as voice integration and messaging systems can accelerate the transfer of data amongst the various stakeholders of a project and speed up significantly the communication, data recording, and archiving processes.
AI introduced in the supply chain process will help to deliver projects on time and on budget. A lack of knowledge, inadequate education, and a poor supply chain culture cause significant issues in supply chain excellence outcomes, and a poor supply chain culture. AI techniques can play an essential role in solving these issues.
The introduction of IoT-based real-time risk monitoring systems will help improve product quality and mitigate safety risks. Real-time integration of decentralized supply chains using blockchain and AI will guarantee the transparency and legitimacy of transactions and help solve the lack of trust and poor communication issues in the construction supply chain.
You can use AI to manage the entire supply chain process, detecting potential issues early and delivering projects on time, on budget, and with high quality.
AI introduced in the Health and Safety management will reduce potential accidents. The construction industry has a higher risk of injuries and deaths than other industries due to working at heights, getting trapped, falling objects ( equipment and tools), dust and toxic materials, and loss of hearing due to noise. It means that companies could lose their reputation, deliver below-par productivity, pay high insurance premiums, incur high litigation and claim costs.
AI, associated with the following technologies, may significantly reduce health and safety issues and lower accident risks. They are BIM-based fall hazard identification and prevention, sensor-based technologies, BIM wearable technology, Robotics and computer vision, advanced data analytics, and optimization techniques.
Construction contract management can be very complex due to the number of stakeholders involved in a project. Mistakes often have huge implications, like litigation costs, project delays, and loss of reputation.
Automation of contract management with AI will accelerate the process and enhance the accuracy of data. Driving Vision uses Plannerly to create clients' contracts to reduce manual steps in the appointment process. Merge EIR (Exchange Information Requirements), BEPs (BIM Execution Plans), Responsibility Matrices, Information Protocol, and more into a single formatted PDF. Control access to each document while keeping all contracts stored securely with the relevant project data. Request one or more team members' document approval with a simple checkmark. And finally, integrate the role of multiple tools to create professional agreements with an integrated eSignature in just a few clicks.
Artificial intelligence has, until recently, been considered a futuristic science fiction robot. You are probably more familiar with AI than you think. You are likely using Amazon's Alexa or correcting automated spelling mistakes on your smartphone.
The construction industry is benefiting greatly from AI for better productivity and improved quality and safety of its projects.
McKinsey predicts that a monumental shift is coming in the near future. AI must be utilized in the construction industry to streamline operations and address well-known industry challenges, including low profitability rates, schedule delays, cost overruns, and safety issues.
AI is the future of the construction industry. It can improve the way teams create 3D Models with generative design. It helps construction managers measure site progress by powering solid fleet management, creating safer construction sites, and mitigating labor shortages.
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
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