Associated Builders and Contractors has released an artificial intelligence (AI) technology guide for the U.S. construction industry. AI in Construction — What Does It Mean for Our Contractors? outlines definitions, construction use cases, and considerations for the implementation of AI in construction.
“The purpose of the guide is to provide a level of knowledge to ensure contractors can be active participants in the construction AI conversation,” according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
The guide describes uses of AI during the construction project lifecycle, including preconstruction, construction, and building maintenance. It also provides definitions of terms such as deep learning and predictive AI, as well as best practices in drafting office AI policies.
“The possibilities of AI technology may sound endless, but we must first educate ourselves on the basics, and this resource is a starting point to understand AI and its potential impact on the construction industry,” said Patrick Scarpati, ABC Director of Construction Technology and Innovation. “The industry has immense opportunities to evaluate how we can better deliver projects, and we can lean on AI in achieving essential goals like upskilling, workforce development, knowledge transfer, supply chain optimization, enhanced safety design and planning, and much more.”
Use cases for AI in construction
The guide offers more than 20 uses cases and project management impacts across preconstruction, construction, and building maintenance, including:
Predictive Analytics: Analyze historical project data and current conditions to optimize construction schedules, resource allocation and task sequencing.
Supply Chain: Throughout the procurement process for self-performing contractors, artificial intelligence will empower the purchasing team to quickly identify availability and best pricing within a certain region.
Contract Review: Empower legal teams to quickly identify critical risk factors in construction contracts
Computer Vision/Intelligent Site Monitoring: Increase safety and security on jobsites. Through machine learning, video footage is trained to detect things like the number of workers entering/exiting the jobsite, workers in proximity of heavy construction machinery and even safety violations, such as the lack of face protection while saw-cutting concrete
Energy Management: Analyze energy usage patterns and optimize HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption and overall costs
Predictive Maintenance: Through the expanded use of building automation and control networks, AI can predict when building equipment is likely to fail, allowing for a proactive response.
According to ABC, “This resource is meant to act as a starting point in your journey to understand AI and its potential impact on the construction industry. By reading through definitions, construction use cases and considerations, the reader should walk away with a level of knowledge to ensure they can actively participate in future conversations on AI in construction.”
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Aug 14, 2019
ConTech VC discloses details about latest fund
Brick & Mortar Ventures has struck 16 deals in past 20 months.
AEC Innovators | Aug 9, 2019
Improving architectural designs through iteration
Computational design lets ZGF Architects see patterns that renderings and even models can’t show.
AEC Tech | Jul 29, 2019
2019 Bluebeam Extreme Conference: Peer-to-Peer Learning at Scale
XCON 2019 to focus on collaborative partnerships and what works in digital construction
Multifamily Housing | Jul 23, 2019
Is prefab in your future?
The most important benefit of offsite construction, when done right, is reliability.
AEC Tech | Jul 15, 2019
Lack of standards hampers development of exoskeleton industry
Guidelines, common terminology, and testing methodology are needed, says expert.
AEC Tech | Jul 15, 2019
Investors eye startups focused on automating construction
Investors could reap big payoffs in an industry that experts say is ready for automation.
AEC Tech | Jul 12, 2019
A new Dodge-Viewpoint report gauges how well contractors gather and use jobsite data
Information is power, but are contractors collecting what they need to make better decisions?
| Jul 11, 2019
Pepper Construction is using 3D models to help identify underground utilities on jobsites
Overlaying new installs and site surveys add precision to the construction process.
AEC Tech | Jul 10, 2019
Blue Collar Labs launches Builder’s Almanac, an online construction technology evaluation platform
The free online resource aims to eliminate subjective bias from the contech software evaluation process.
AEC Tech | Jul 2, 2019
Living in a cloud: What nanotech means for architecture and the built environment
Could there come a time when buildings will become less about bricks and mortar and feel more like mists or fogs?