What is the role of AI in the construction industry?

Can you think of construction without labor? Is it possible? Actually, Yes but with the integration of some labor. From the start of the construction industry, labor has been an important element of construction. Therefore, their role cannot be ignored at any cost.

Do you know something is competing with human beings on this planet? What is it?

It is AI, Artificial Intelligence with a full abbreviation. It is competing with human beings in all sectors. Construction is one of the most prominent sectors changing with AI integration. Whether loading, unloading, or project management, AI can do everything.

Let’s explore the construction world and see how AI changes the construction game!

What is AI?

Before we explore what is the role of AI in the construction industry, we must see what AI actually is.

Suppose a human brain is artificially put into a machine. Can it work like a human? Yes, it can. You can see robotic servers in restaurants today. Similarly, you can write 1000 words in a minute using Chat GPT. These are some examples of AI.

AI is actually an intelligence that is incorporated into machines, such as computers. It is another face of technology. It aims to make human tasks easy, fast, error-free, and super-efficient.

Let’s see what construction was before AI and what it is today!

Construction Before AI

What did your grandmother do when there was no concept of an Automatic Floor Mixing Machine? They kneaded dough using their hands, consuming more time and energy.

Construction was utterly dependent on hands before AI. Architects created construction drawings using pencil and eraser. Construction estimators calculated the budget using traditional calculations, with more chances of human error.

Similarly, laborers laid bricks and mortar using their hands. They used scales and handy tools for measurements and alignments. Above all, the communication was like a walkie-talkie, shouting and table meetings.

Simply put, construction was complex enough before AI. Most of the activities entirely depended on human hands. Before AI, construction was a difficult process of hard work, slow processing, and more chances for human errors.

Construction After AI

If we look into today’s construction industry, we cannot believe how AI has changed the construction world. Today, AI technology is what constructs sky-touching buildings with 100% efficiency, not humans. It means that AI in construction is changing the looks of the building industry.

Surprisingly, AI can handle everything today, from project planning to arranging project opening ceremonies! Even AI in construction estimating is making numbers accurate and precise. Furthermore, it has created an intelligent construction industry and is developing it with continuous innovations.

Let’s explore the role of AI in the construction industry!

Create Quality Construction Drawings

Everyone wants a construction with ample space, modern designs, and a stylish ambiance. AI can provide you with such unique structures. Today, AI is producing construction drawings that are compatible with human requirements.
Example 1
WeWork wished to construct meeting rooms according to people’s likeness and perfect space usage. The team used AI to determine what people like in the meeting rooms and what designs they love. Before starting construction, they designed the rooms accordingly using AI.
Example 2
Another example is the AI-generated building design system developed by Daisy. AI production could efficiently optimize timber floor layout automatically.
Example 3
Autodesk Research built a prototype named Kratos. It can optimize the conceptual design required for mass timber buildings.

With the help of these innovative and technology-based solutions, architects and engineers can shape the future of timber construction by delivering more sustainable productions.

Today, there is no need to spend hours, days, and even weeks identifying errors; machine learning, a subset of AI, can do the job more efficiently—no waste of time and resources at all.

Credit for all these magics goes to integrating artificial intelligence in construction. Learn more about How to Get Leads For Construction?

Do Better Project Planning

In 2017, a construction company laid its foundation in the market. The team claimed its robots will deal with delayed and over-budget construction projects. They proved their saying by doing so.

Today, they have robots that can efficiently identify at what distance construction projects are. The robots do so by:

• Autonomously capturing 3D scans of construction sites
• Feeding that data into a complex neural network.

If the construction team finds any time issue or delay in the project, they solve the problem immediately before it becomes more extensive, causing significant damage to the construction project.
How does the system detect the upcoming error chances?
It is actually the game of algorithms. Future algorithms will use “reinforcement learning,” an AI technique, in the process. Using this AI method, algorithms learn things based on errors and trials. The system compares similar projects to do assessments using combination and alternative approaches.

Hence, better construction planning is now the game of your left hand. AI can do everything and is better than humans.

Make Safer Job Sites for Labors

A safe and secure working environment is mandatory, mainly when it is a matter of construction site. Undoubtedly, before AI, it took a lot of work to accomplish this task. Today, AI has provided us with innovative approaches to ensure the safety of workers at the construction site.

Contractors can use AI-powered computer machines to identify the risk of construction site accidents. Using this data, management can take better measures to ensure worker safety.

Contractors can use the same technique to solve non-compliance and safety hazard issues by analyzing the video footage of the construction site.
Example 1
Suppose workers are not following the proper construction clothing and protective gear. AI will observe the issue and send the signal to the manager. Now, the manager can call the meeting to discuss the issue and thus ensure a safe working environment.
Example 2
What about incident reporting? Can AI do so? Yes, it’s not a big deal at all. Your construction site has already installed sensors, cameras, and IoT devices. They will see the incidence, gather real-time data, and inform the management.
Example 3
Can workers detect and report issues using AI? Why not? First, say thanks to NLP: Natural Language Processing. Using this AI technique, the system can scan reports, observe patterns, and suggest what should be done to ensure smooth working. Learn more about Pro Tips to Find Construction Jobs to Bid On

Automates Project Management

One of the artificial intelligence benefits is automating construction project management. Traditional construction methods were time-consuming, energy-eating, and more susceptible to errors. It took a lot of work for managers to manage all tasks and employee concerns simultaneously. They mostly spent time and stayed occupied making records and managing labor.

The good news is that AI can automate all project management tasks. It does not only automate activities but also speeds up processing, saves energy, and makes projects error-free.

AI performs these tasks using employee data, managing workflow, and letting workers concentrate on their core duties. As a result, the system ensures the increased productivity of workers, expanding the project efficiency.

Identify and Mitigate Risk in the Pre-Construction Phase

Just imagine you get to know the risks going to happen during construction. What will you do? You will try to find ways to mitigate the danger before it causes destruction. But what about knowing it before? Is it easy?

Actually, AI has made it easy. AI can efficiently detect construction risks before they happen. AI will do the primary job, and then you can modify the construction plans to mitigate risk, avoiding problems at the construction site.

Besides risk detection, AI can also perform the following jobs:

• Anticipate problems
• Measure the impact of issues
• Reduce risk using predictive analytics

Collects & Analyzes Authentic Data

One of the most prominent roles AI performs in construction is collecting and assessing authentic data. Camera and autonomous equipment are available in the market, which contractors use to gather data with multiple format options.

You only need to put the available data into the neural network; the system automatically gives information about various project perspectives. Management can identify and solve even the most minor errors using this data. No risk during construction means within budget and on-time project completion.

Increase Project Durability and Efficiency

Not only designing and construction, AI can be a good friend that can efficiently increase the lifespan of a construction project.

Mostly, informative gaps in facility management make repairs easier and more affordable. But AI is here to solve the issue.

First, AI enhances streamlined processing using gathered data and its excessive utilization. It does so by:

• Data and document classification
• Predicting accurate conditions in real-time

Thanks to this technique that lets workers get rid of complex and time-consuming duties. Now, the team can focus on the core problems with full attention to solve them.

It is not the end. Suppose a maintenance or repair process is complex and demands a long time to solve. What to do? Just let AI handle the matter and solve the issue!

AI-integrated BIM models are available today. The system can find the best way to maintain and repair. It does so by visualizing the location and time the problem will happen at.
Example
In San Francisco, the expert team integrated AI into the BIM models of Salesforce Tower to improve management. Using this technique, the facility team optimized the space perfectly. Moreover, monitoring critical metrics such as future maintenance requirements and energy usage became easy. This is how to use AI in construction.

Cover Labor Shortages

The biggest issue that most contractors experience during construction is labor shortage. Today, companies are investing in AI to cover labor shortages and improve labor productivity.

In 2017, McKinsey reported that construction companies can 50% increase their productivity by using real-time data analysis techniques. Therefore, companies are using AI for perfect labor and machine distribution.

Today, contractors use robots to get information about labor and machine requirements at construction sites. Robots perform the job by continuously observing the construction site and giving information accordingly. Now, management can easily detect which place is equipped with enough labor and where more workers are required to complete pending tasks.
Example
Do you have information about the Spot Dog Robot? It is an AI-generated Dog Robot that moves around the construction site every night, scans activities, and gives data about the project’s progress.

The AI robot enables famous contractors, such as Mortenson, to efficiently work in areas where skilled labor is not readily available.

Automate Everyday Construction Activities

Have you ever observed how AI has already taken your place in your house?

Let’s take an example! You use Gmail or another mail service. What AI is doing there? It helps you eliminate spam emails and get those at the top you are interested in.

The same is the case with media platforms. You use Netflix. Do you need to search for the content you want to watch, spending hours on the couch? No. Netflix uses algorithms to provide you with what you want to enjoy and use to watch.

AI does the same job in the construction industry, making tasks easy. It also eliminates the chance of task repetition using advanced algorithms.
Example
Suppose you are a contractor and must arrange information about title blocks, sheet names, numbers, etc. What can you do? Use Autodesk Build. It can auto detect all these elements. It can save the time and energy most VDC folks waste categorizing their drawings.

Top Construction Companies Using AI Technology

We have seen how AI is performing dramatic roles in the construction industry. It is time to explore some companies using innovations trending in the AI world. You can consider any of the following helpers to accomplish your task efficiently.

Autodesk’s Construction IQ

Construction IQ uses machine learning and AI. It helps builders manage activities and reduce the risk of errors.
Major Area Construction IQ Covers
The tool majorly covers areas:

1. Cost
2. Schedule
3. Quality
4. Safety

The reliable solution is compatible with Autodesk BIM Collaborate and Autodesk Build.

With the help of Construction IQ, you can identify and prioritize issues. This way, you can understand that you are going with the right task at the right time. It is helpful for multiple concerns, including design, RFIs, and safety.

Construction

A famous construction platform, Constru, uses AI and computer vision technology to improve project management. It streamlines construction activities using AI technology.
How does it work?
The technology automatically compares BIM to 360° site images and generates data. This data helps users compare and find differences between construction plans and real-time builds. Ultimately, it enables you to highlight dissimilarities between both models and reduce the need for reworks.

EarthCam

EarthCam is famous for providing live camera

1. Technology
2. Services
3. Content

The company helps construction teams efficiently monitor and document their construction activities. It provides webcam content, live-streaming video footage, and construction time-lapse. Furthermore, it provides a platform for solving project management issues using visual data.

Additionally, EarthCam uses innovative Edge Computer Vision and server-side AI. It is something that crosses the level of human observer ability. Similarly, the company uses AI Object Detection. The purpose of using this tool includes automating

1. Alerts
2. Tags
3. Visualizations

It means no need to waste time and energy on project observation and minoring progress.

StructionSite

The AI-powered StructionSite provides information about the progress at the construction site. It keeps a Site  Construction Documentation feature that helps you capture 360° photos, standard-sized images, and quality videos.
After collecting this data, StructionSite uses AI to see the photos quickly. This way, one can create a virtual job site anyone can access from anywhere.

viAct

viAct is famous for comprehensive construction project monitoring. The company uses the AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) technique for the best outcomes. The AI technique automates:

1. Safety tracking
2. Productivity
3. Maintenance

viAct does the job using installed AI-integrated cameras at the construction site. Installing these cameras aims to detect and highlight any productivity and safety-related issues.
Where does viAct show data?
There is a proper and user-friendly dashboard where the management team can see all the data on a single screen. Thus, managing safety and productivity problems is now the left-hand solution.

Future of AI-Construction Complex

According to research, AI, Robots, and Machine Learning can reduce construction costs by up to 20%. Today, builders and engineers can send robots to the construction site, even to small holes, to check progress.

AI and robots can scan the progress of all construction projects, from electrical to plumbing activities. Companies use this technology to ensure safety at construction sites. Similarly, real-time interaction with workers at construction sites is now possible from your comfort zone.

You can keep checking and minoring resources and machinery using AI. From execution to construction completion, everything is under control. You can even locate and mitigate upcoming risks with reliable solutions using AI.

Soon, we will see robots and cobots working with laborers and other workers at the construction site. Robots can automate activities, and cobots can work autonomously.

The mixture of these artificial creations and the construction industry will dramatically shape the future of this sector. With AI, you can experience optimized speed, error-free construction, cost-effectiveness, increased efficiency, and on-budget and on-time completion.

Final Words

AI is in the limelight of the current construction industry. The reason behind this fact is AI throughout coverage. It can efficiently manage all building tasks, from project planning to efficient monitoring. Furthermore, AI can ensure smooth project execution and the availability of a safe working place.

Besides these, AI can collect valuable data and modify plans for risk mitigation. Simply put, all construction activities are the left-hand game for the AI. Therefore, a lot of companies have started using this technology. As a result, they are giving outstanding performance in the construction sector.

Thus, you must start using AI technology without fear of being replaced. It will definitely elevate the value of your construction business. You can beat your competitors and their challenges efficiently using AI technology.