Today, individuals, businesses, and large enterprises spend over $10 trillion per year on construction-related activities. But what’s amazing is that a part of this large expenditure is to avail rapidly-moving technological advancements. Mentioning of which, AI plays a huge role in all spheres of construction.
Now one cannot deny that AI in construction can advance any work that took hours or weeks of decision planning. Its need is proven, as seen through the rapid growth in the real estate market.
Yes, as stated by the Global Industry Analysis and Forecast by Maximise Market Research, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Real Estate Market is expected to reach a whopping US$ 1335.89 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 35% throughout the forecast period.
Hence, it’s time to explore what artificial intelligence in the construction field has to offer….
So go ahead and keep reading this blog –
If you are planning to build a bridge or a mansion, there are hundreds of arrangements you will deal with. Whether it’s a site visit, design, human resources, etc. But if you find someone in the team who is a pro about machine learning, in construction, wouldn’t that minimize your effort?
Now, take it this way —You invested in certain AI construction applications like Downtobid that helps you with the pre-construction phase or Fusion 360 by Autodesk that gives you complicated instructions into detailed parameter models. One can already get an idea as to how the construction process will accelerate.
That’s precisely where you get the benefits of AI in construction. Now, let’s explore more in this article.
Below are some of the top benefits that can definitely explain the future of AI in construction. Have a look –
Using AI technologies makes it easy to automate repetitive operations, freeing up construction workers to concentrate on their work rather than administrative duties. Project teams work more efficiently together, productivity levels rise overall, and project durations go shorter thanks to this automation.
Proptech tools like AI-powered sensors and cameras on building sites monitor safety compliance in real-time and spot any safety risks; they operate as a kind of continuous site inspection. Enhancing overall site security and lowering the risk of mishaps and related project delays eventually helps to create a safer working environment.
Significant cost reductions are achieved by AI’s capacity to improve supply chain management, optimize resource allocation, and shorten project timetables. Construction companies can lower overall project costs by more efficiently allocating resources by identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
AI can enhance overall designs to provide better spaces for human end users.
WeWork, for instance, is an AI construction software aimed at designing its meeting rooms to accommodate the various ways that users might use them.
Additionally, before moving forward with building planning, AI can assist workers in identifying errors and omissions that may have occurred throughout the design process.
Construction experts in the field can use AI to obtain data-driven insights that will help them make better decisions. There is, in fact, AI construction technology that detects patterns, trends, and possible hazards by evaluating real-time data and past project data.
For example, myCOI, an insurance compliance platform, uses next-generation AI to safeguard construction companies from claims and guarantee adherence to state and federal laws.
The difficulty for professionals in the construction industry remains how to advance projects while incorporating more sustainable methods into their operations.
Fortunately, AI can assist. Data on emissions, energy use, materials utilized, and other environmental concerns can all be analyzed by AI. AI can come up with suggestions for process optimization that will make them more ecologically friendly using this data.
For instance, Autodesk’s partnership with Daisy AI Inc. Kratos, a prototype developed by Autodesk Research, maximizes mass timber building conceptual design.
The perks of AI in the construction world have certainly tempted you to invest in them. But before you proceed, you must also get an idea as to where AI can help you.
Hence, take a tour of how AI construction applications work –
Since more subcontractors are working on different crafts simultaneously on job sites, the larger the project, the greater the danger.
But now, general contractors can monitor and prioritize risk on the job site with AI and machine learning solutions, freeing up the project team’s limited time and resources to concentrate on the highest-risk areas.
Moreover, construction managers can collaborate closely with high-risk teams to reduce risk because subcontractors are assessed according to a risk score.
In order to avoid rework, the industry leverages machine learning in construction in the form of AI-powered generative design to detect and reduce conflicts between the many models produced by the various teams.
Software exists that generates design alternatives by exploring every possible solution through machine learning algorithms. The generative design program builds 3D models that are optimized for the limitations when the user enters requirements into the model. It learns from each iteration until it produces the best possible model.
Any construction project’s success depends heavily on operational efficiency, and AI has already shown that it can advance projects.
The ability to quickly and reliably analyze enormous volumes of data is one of the main contributions of artificial intelligence and robotics to the construction sector.
In fact, advancements in contech can analyze past project data, weather trends, and other pertinent information using machine learning algorithms.
This allows AI to offer insightful advice on project planning and execution, which helps optimize the construction process and maximize project outputs.
By taking into account a variety of variables, including resource availability, weather, and potential hazards, AI systems can optimize project timetables.
This integrates with some of the greatest construction scheduling tools and makes use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) data, including 3D models, to produce more accurate schedules and reduce delays.
To put an end to schedule problems and expense overruns, ALICE is a construction automation and management software that employs AI to screen projects for possible bids, evaluate the viability of various project ideas, and follow supplier deadlines.
AI can significantly enhance quality control by analyzing data to find possible problems or flaws during construction. By doing this, projects are guaranteed to fulfill the necessary quality standards, which lowers the possibility of rework and related expenses.
Images and data can be captured by sensors, robotics, and drones.
Subsequently, software can examine the information to detect flaws and weaknesses in the structure and situations in which the work drone fails to meet requirements.
AI also has the potential to significantly reduce typical construction hazards in a number of ways, including automated predictive analysis, safety monitoring, supply chain management, and compliance. Identifying the risks, uncertainties, and deadlines that every project faces is part of risk management.
Businesses can make decisions quickly and confidently with AI. There are insurance compliance platforms that use next-generation AI to safeguard construction companies from lawsuits and guarantee adherence to national and local laws.
Installing the latest technology in an organization is always a prime factor. But, every advancement has its set of challenges as well. Suppose your construction robotics tool is malfunctioning. In a running construction site, it can be a barrier and you might need to reset the tool.
Similarly, there are other circumstances that you must be aware of. Here are some of the top threats that you must take care of –
Due to the growing use of AI in project management, enormous volumes of sensitive project data are being produced and examined.
To safeguard clients and employees, construction businesses need to put strong cybersecurity measures in place to prevent unauthorized access to this data.
Approximately 66% of the construction industry currently uses project management tools, and many of them have already established project management systems. So, it can be difficult to integrate AI with these systems in a seamless way; it takes careful preparation and implementation.
Although artificial intelligence (AI) has many long-term benefits for the construction industry, some businesses may find it difficult to afford the high upfront expenses of adopting AI technologies.
Achieving a successful adoption strategy requires finding a balance between initial outlays and sustained benefits.
Construction companies face a problem in navigating the legal landscape to ensure the ethical and legal usage of AI technologies.
The fact that AI is a relatively young technology and may eventually encounter new restrictions of its own further complicates this problem.
The unpleasant truth is that when it comes to incorporating AI and other technologies, the construction industry is lagging well behind many other businesses.
Even though a lot of construction companies have started utilizing software and other technical tools, AI is still relatively new. Therefore, it will be challenging to make the switch to employing AI in regular construction work, given the lack of established infrastructure.
The stress in a construction is majorly the building cost. But today, your building costs can be lowered by up to 20% with AI. That’s where AI stands as a boon.
But to figure out AI’s scope and possibilities in the future, you cannot consider a single source of assistance. However, do not worry as engineers have already done the impossible task.
Now, you can send mini-robots into buildings that are still under construction while donning virtual reality goggles. These robots track the task as it is done using cameras.
Modern buildings employ AI to plan the routing of their plumbing and electrical systems. Businesses are even utilizing it to create workplace safety solutions.
In fact, AI can now monitor interactions between workers, equipment, and items in real time on the job site and notify managers of possible problems with productivity, safety, and construction.
But the point that concerns most is whether AI is not going to replace human labor? Well, it’s a definite no. Rather, it will change how the construction sector does business. From lowering major blunders and injuries at the job site and improving building operations, AI definitely has more things to offer.
The idea that AI can do everything seems like magic. But even if not magic, it can definitely lessen the double shift of construction works, enhance management systems, gather better ideas, and whatnot.
Although, what remains important is the role of AI in construction. Can it give you better visuals of a 3D design? Will you be able to remotely collaborate with the construction team?
Many such facets need answers. The good news is all of your questions are answered above. Hence, with this blog, start exploring what AI can offer you in your next big project!
By Proptechbuzz
By Ravi Kumar
