Our lives have undoubtedly been more accessible due to artificial intelligence in many ways. With the help of digital assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, and others, we may gain access to a wide range of advantages directly from our devices.
Many sectors of the modern economy, including healthcare, e-commerce, financial services, etc., are making the most of AI’s advantages. Businesses have rapidly expanded thanks to the technology’s improved quality, security, and effectiveness.
However, it has been noted that using artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions is behind in the engineering and construction industry. The value of the construction industry exceeds $10 trillion annually.
The construction business’s growth is significantly constrained due to the complicated problems it encounters. Dealing with labour shortages, cost and schedule overruns, health and safety concerns, and productivity can revolutionize the sector.
The construction sector has enormous potential, and it is possible to increase its economic value to $1.6 trillion annually through digitization. AI in the construction industry can help bring about this change.
A report projects that Artificial Intelligence in the construction market will bring in $ 2,642.4 million by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 26.3% between 2019 and 2026. The Internet of Things (IoT) and AI-related technological developments will open up more growth prospects for the engineering and construction industries.
Understanding AI in Smart Construction
The digital transformation of artificial intelligence in the building sector is underway. Exploiting the potential of the construction sector to new levels requires a focus on technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning at every stage of engineering and construction, from design to preconstruction to construction to operations and asset management.
The areas where artificial intelligence in the construction industry is making a significant difference by completing work faster and more affordably.
The construction industry’s planning and designing section is anticipated to profit the most. The European construction market is expected to increase at the fastest rate globally.
This technical change is expected to positively affect all project stakeholders, including owners, contractors, and service suppliers. It is even more crucial for the construction industry to adapt to the digitization of the processes now that other neighbouring industries like transportation and manufacturing have already begun to function as an ecosystem.
The companies that upgrade the technology will benefit because the technological transition in the engineering and construction industry is still in its infancy. With artificial intelligence in construction, companies can comfortably tackle current issues while avoiding past mistakes.
With the use of statistical techniques of machine learning in construction, it becomes much more convenient and less time-consuming to scrutinize the data of changed orders, information requests, etc. This will assist in warning the project managers about issues that require urgent attention. Additionally, safety monitoring may be carried out more effectively.
How AI can boost Smart Construction
Companies that want to maintain their competitive advantage should improve their technology as soon as possible. AI integration can enable smart construction. Let’s examine the importance of AI in the building industry:
- Enhance Project Design Process with AI-powered Insights
Construction design is currently done in an old-fashioned and slow manner. You can improve the design of your project by using information from building, material, and environmental data.
- Integrate AI Automation in the Project Management Workflow
The tasks involved in the building process are laborious, time-consuming, and prone to error when done manually. Most of the project manager’s time is spent allocating tasks and maintaining staff information.
However, many of these repetitive operations that can be completed with little to no error can be automated by artificial intelligence. Based on the information gathered from the employees, task delegation can also be automated by AI. This speeds up the workflow process and motivates employees to concentrate on their areas of specialization.
- Collecting and Analyzing the Data Collected from the Job Site
Data can be gathered in various formats using construction equipment with AI capabilities or camera-enabled robots. These facts can automatically categorize the project’s progress from various angles by feeding them into the deep neural network.
Such information enables management to identify and address even the smallest error or problem early on, preventing more serious problems from developing later.
- Increase Productivity with AI-driven Vehicles
Self-driving construction equipment can quickly and effectively complete repetitive tasks like welding, bricklaying, and concrete pouring.
For pre-work and excavation, you can use automated or semi-automatic bulldozers. These machines carry out the task precisely in accordance with the specifications once the exact specifications are fed into them. You can decrease the risks to people involved in performing these tasks while freeing up your human workforce for construction work.
- Perform Land Surveys and Mapping with Geospatial AI and Drones
In-depth land surveys and aerial photography of the job site can be completed in a significantly shorter time for better project management. Drones can help you monitor project progress and problems on the job site. Geospatial information systems (GIS) and artificial geospatial intelligence (GeoAI) will empower you with better decision-making for effective project management.
Future of AI in Construction
As technology advances, Cobots and robots will work alongside humans in the construction business. Robots replace the jobs that can be mechanized, and cobots are made to operate alone or with minimal supervision.
A similar setup would speed up construction, lower costs, prevent accidents, and improve decision-making. AI in construction will solve the labour shortage problem and change business models, decrease costly errors, and improve building operations. Business executives at construction companies are thus advised to concentrate on investments based on areas where AI can have the greatest impact based on needs.
Early adopters of this digital transformation will undoubtedly overtake their competitors in the market. Gaining an edge will position them as leaders who can set the course and benefit in the short and long term.
Final Thoughts!
AI has been gaining traction in construction, from planning to designing to building. In construction, AI will oversee the entire project and guide risk management, schedule adherence, structural integrity, and other important topics. Utilizing AI’s potential in the construction industry will increase profits while lowering risks and injuries.
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