The industry has accumulated decades’ worth of data that, with the help of AI-driven analysis, could be tapped to boost construction productivity, prevent schedule overruns, improve cost-effectiveness, bridge labor gaps, and reduce risks.
It’s not hard to understand why. After all, you can’t digitize concrete. Construction is a low-margin, materials-based, physical labor-intensive field. When facing material shortages or delayed deliveries, for example, gen AI might suggest alternative suppliers based on past collaborations or supplier quality, to keep work flowing.Turner Construction last fall demonstrated a gen AI tool that automates contract drafting, a huge productivity tool for a company with 30,000 trade contractor deals every year.
Many in the industry have shifted to using building information modeling systems, whereby a digital twin of the built asset is created and managed. However, updating the digital twin can be laborious, as can pulling informationGen AI can help by updating the digital twin with data gathered from AI-powered cameras and sensors, and comparing it with original plans.
These models can also continuously monitor a project’s progress and make changes to schedules in real-time. If a task is delayed or completed early, the algorithm can automatically reschedule dependent tasks to optimize project timelines.Keeping on top of complex, confusing and frequently changing building codes is another construction productivity drain gen AI is particularly well suited to solve. Regulations vary by jurisdiction, year, and project type.