Author: Kelly McSweeney
Date published: October 14, 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming many industries, and the trades are no exception. As contractors embrace AI in construction, they are expanding their capabilities and making it possible to gain a competitive advantage in the market.
Using artificial intelligence in the construction industry can help enable new possibilities for cutting-edge construction companies. Certain subsets of AI are especially relevant to the industry:
While many other industries rely on digital tools to communicate and run their businesses, small construction businesses face a distinctive challenge because job sites may lack the necessary infrastructure to enable AI integration. How do you stay connected to colleagues and cutting-edge tools like AI when building from the ground up?
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) can provide reliable internet connectivity through a wireless network connection. Unlike traditional, wired broadband, there is no need to dig into the ground to install a cable. Instead, you can quickly and conveniently set up an FWA router in the site trailer. In this way, FWA gives field staff the internet access they need to implement AI solutions.
New applications for AI are emerging every day, and when job sites are set up with connectivity AI can empower construction teams in many different ways. Here are some examples to consider for small construction businesses.
Automated excavators, robotic bricklayers and more can use AI-based software programs to control equipment. Adding AI to construction sites could also provide opportunities for visibility into areas that humans can't easily reach. Drones can autonomously capture bird's eye views of the job site, and even send the images back to the site for human inspection or for automated analysis, if available, to identify any potential issues.
Drones, 3D modeling applications and other computer vision systems on a job site could generate images and use image recognition algorithms to analyze them to find incidents such as potential safety violations (like employees not wearing hard hats) or differences between plans and actual builds. These AI tools can send automatic alerts to site supervisors so they can investigate and manage any potential safety concerns before they become dangerous.
Predictive maintenance can help prevent costly unexpected downtime. With machines and tools outfitted with sensors and connectivity through the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning or deep learning algorithms can quantify a machine's health, analyze the data and suggest necessary maintenance.
When a quality control issue arises, employees can include photographs ranging from a simple snapshot taken with a smartphone to drone images of the site in RFIs and other communication. Plus, software enhanced with AI capabilities can help stakeholders match and compare intent with real-world results. For example, they can compare a purchase order to the materials they received.
The latest construction software may be able to track measurements for materials and components, and augmented reality (AR) can add digital precision to the real-world job site. This can be especially helpful on large projects with suppliers delivering a variety of materials throughout various stages of the project lifecycle. Computer vision and ML algorithms could recognize and track materials and equipment, which can help avoid project delays and inefficiencies when materials are unavailable.
AI-backed software programs can help streamline and automate tricky tasks such as scheduling, budgeting and billing. Artificial neural networks could predict cost overruns and predictive models can help build more realistic timelines based on previous job schedules. You can also use AI to save time and reduce decision fatigue by automatically addressing communication to the right person. For example, you can automatically send a bill to the relevant subcontractor or an RFI (request for information) to the right point of contact. AI can also help automate tedious jobs and tasks, such as estimating the number of components needed for a large, complicated build or finding the most efficient path for a pipe.
Your network's speed and reliability are paramount to a project's success, as it keeps a distributed workforce connected. The right voice and collaboration tools can help project managers inside an office, site crews on the job and a variety of subcontractors working toward the same goal, even though often in different locations at different times. Connectivity is crucial as digital tools like building information modeling (BIM) software become more advanced. BIM software provides 3D models of buildings with detailed labels and multiple layers.
Large projects involve numerous stakeholders—architects, engineers, site supervisors, subcontractors (trades) and inspectors. The latest tools help bring all of them together in one virtual space. Trades may sometimes work in a vacuum, but it doesn't have to be this way. AI can help align stakeholders and empower them to collaborate. For example, some BIM systems can automatically detect errors or clashes in the project design, and NLP can help compare plans with agreements and safety regulations to help ensure all requirements are met.
Digital tools are just as essential as building materials in helping the construction industry become more efficient, productive, safe, effective and connected. Here are three critical factors that enable AI in construction:
A strong network can enable AI in construction by improving accuracy and productivity. Explore Verizon's solutions for the construction industry.
The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.