AI is transforming the construction sector by providing numerous advantages throughout the project’s duration. The significant areas where AI contributes to construction encompass design, bidding, and financing; procurement and building; operations and asset management; as well as business model evolution. AI is utilized to enhance performance, safety, and efficiency in construction. It assists in pre-design or initial project planning, predictive maintenance, site safety, robotics, project management, quality control, building performance among others. Companies can significantly enhance their organization, speed, and efficiency in construction processes by utilizing AI.
Additionally, AI can be employed for security reasons, design review, bidding process, postmortem analysis, procurement, construction operations, asset management and business model reinvention/transformation. In essence, the application of AI in construction isn’t about substituting humans at construction sites but integrating human labor with the new opportunities provided by AI.
Here are some primary applications of AI in the field of construction:
1. Curtailing Cost Overruns
- Through Artificial Neural Networks, AI can forecast cost overruns considering factors such as project scale and managerial proficiency, thereby aiding in the creation of realistic timelines.
2. Design Enhancement
- AI contributes to superior building design by employing generative design, which optimizes structures for energy consumption and air quality.
3. Safety Augmentation
- AI mechanisms can identify safety risks, monitor real-time interactions at worksites, and notify supervisors about potential safety concerns, thus minimizing worksite injuries.
4. Risk Evaluation and Mitigation
- AI has the capability to evaluate risks, foresee potential problems, and recommend precautionary steps to mitigate risks in construction projects.
5. Supervision and Upkeep
- AI can supervise building performance, detect maintenance requirements through sensors and drones, and streamline asset management for enhanced efficiency.
6. Productivity Boosting
- AI simplifies workflows, aids in decision-making procedures, and facilitates optimal resource utilization for heightened productivity.
7. Data Interpretation
- AI employs big data in construction to derive insights from diverse sources like images, drone footage, sensors, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for informed decision-making.
8. Planning & Design Refinement
- AI supports layout refinement by efficiently parsing through building codes and providing real-time insights for improved design decisions.
9. Task Automation
- AI automates repetitive tasks enabling human workers to concentrate on more intricate aspects of construction projects.
10. Predictive Analysis
- AI facilitates predictive analysis for cost estimates, project timelines, risk evaluation, and maintenance needs to streamline operations and minimize deviations.
These examples of AI application in construction underscore its potential to transform the industry by enhancing safety, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall project results.
