AI in the past year has topped so many headlines about how it is going to change our world. However, some may ask how is AI going to transform and benefit the construction industry. An industry that has been for millennia but oddly looks quite similar from about 50 years ago albeit it with larger and quicker machines but still very labour intensive. First off, the construction industry faces a few problems. One major issue is cost overruns. 9/10 of projects worldwide experience cost overrun. North America may have a more efficient construction industry but still the average cost escalation is 24% One extreme example of this is the fact that the Trans Mountain Pipeline budget has expanded by a factor 6 A few factors that play into this are Inaccurate quantity take-off during the estimating stage Poor contractor management during the project And lack of cost planning before and during the project AI can be used during the estimating stage to make the process more accurate and quicker AI algorithms can analyze large datasets of historical project information, including costs, timelines, and materials used. This analysis will help identify patterns and correlations, enabling more accurate predictions for future projects. AI can also automate the process of quantity takeoff by analyzing digital blueprints and designs. This should reduce the time and potential errors associated with manual takeoffs. Natural language processing can be used to extract relevant information from documents, contracts, and project specifications. This will help estimators to understand project requirements and specifications, ensuring that estimates align with the project scope. During the project, AI can be an assistant for project managers AI tools will be able to track and evaluate contractor performance by analyzing KPIs, such as adherence to schedules, quality of work, and safety records. AI-driven systems will be able to automate the generation of project reports and documentation, reducing administrative burdens. This includes tracking contractor progress, milestones achieved, and any deviations from the project plan. AI algorithms will also be able to analyze project requirements, contractor capabilities, and resource availability to optimize the allocation of tasks to contractors. This ensures that the right contractors with the appropriate skills are assigned to specific project components. AI will also be an invaluable tool for the planning stage AI is able to analyze supplier and contractor bids, historical performance, and market competitiveness to help in selecting the most cost-effective options during the procurement phase. AI algorithms can also optimize budget allocation by analyzing project requirements, resource availability, and cost constraints. Before and during the project, AI-generated recommendations will be able to be used for adjusting timelines to maintain project feasibility. A second major problem is that 250,000 plus lost-time injuries in Canada each year The construction industry as a whole is recognized as high-risk industry The impact of these injuries have immeasurable impacts on both human and the broader society In the future, AI-powered cameras and sensors equipped with computer vision will be able identify potential hazards on the worksite, such as unsafe behavior, unauthorized personnel, or equipment malfunctions. AI can also be used to enhance safety training through virtual reality (VR) simulations which will make safety training much more engaging and likely effective. Drones equipped with AI will also be able to automate safety inspections by capturing highresolution images of the worksite. This data can be analyzed for safety compliance, identifying potential issues that require attention. Overall, AI is likely to have a positive affect on the construction industry. Making it a safer and more profitable industry. However, this presentation has presented the possible impacts of and solutions that AI will provide. However, integration will be challenging and it may be many years before all these possibilities are realized.
