Tip of the spear. Cutting edge. Vanguard. These are not words anyone would associate with the construction industry. And when it comes to the nascent technology of artificial intelligence, the construction industry is right near the bottom for both current and future AI adoption.
According to a McKinsey & Company report, only the travel and tourism and professional services sectors have a lower percentage of firms adopting one or more AI technologies at scale or in a core part of their business. When it comes to the average estimated percentage change in AI spending over the next three years, it only gets worse for the construction industry: it’s dead last.
Being last isn’t always such a bad thing, however. Just like how the youngest child gets to watch their older siblings grow up and learn from their mistakes and capitalize on their successes, the construction industry can look at how other industries are leveraging AI, what works and what doesn’t, and take the fast-track to AI dominance.
The McKinsey report identified five current AI applications being used by other industries that could cause an immediate impact in the construction sector:
• Transportation route optimization algorithms for project planning optimization
• Pharmaceutical outcomes prediction for constructability issues
• Retail supply chain optimization for materials and inventory management
• Robotics for modular or prefabrication construction and 3D printing
• Healthcare image recognition for risk and safety management.
In each of these instances, the construction sector would benefit from the work other industries and sectors are putting in to develop the technology. All construction firms would have to do is swoop in and perfect the technology for their own purposes—easier said than done, but still a better option than starting from scratch.
Related Stories
BIM and Information Technology | Jan 18, 2019
BIM: Sharing is caring
Sharing of and reliance on BIM data is central to the idea that BIM will lead to a more efficient, more economical, and more collaborative construction process.
BIM and Information Technology | Jan 10, 2019
'BIM to AR' comes to the masses
Could new technology that simplifies the transfer of BIM models to augmented reality push AEC firms to go all in on extended reality?
Building Technology | Dec 20, 2018
Autodesk is spending $1.15 billion to acquire two construction tech providers
PlanGrid and BuildingConnected are the latest pieces in the company’s quest to digitize the construction industry.
Building Technology | Dec 18, 2018
Data and analytics are becoming essential for EC firms competing to rebuild America’s infrastructure
A new paper from Deloitte Consulting advises companies to revise their strategies with an eye toward leveraging advanced technologies.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Oct 15, 2018
3D scanning data provides solutions for challenging tilt-up panel casino project
At the top of the list of challenges for the Sandia project was that the building’s walls were being constructed entirely of tilt-up panels, complicating the ability to locate rebar in event future sleeves or penetrations would need to be created.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Oct 15, 2018
3D scanning data provides solutions for challenging tilt-up panel casino project
At the top of the list of challenges for the Sandia project was that the building’s walls were being constructed entirely of tilt-up panels, complicating the ability to locate rebar in event future sleeves or penetrations would need to be created.
BIM and Information Technology | Aug 16, 2018
Say 'Hello' to erudite machines
Machine learning represents a new frontier in the AEC industry that will help designers create buildings that are more efficient than ever before.
BIM and Information Technology | Jul 30, 2018
Artificial intelligence is not just hysteria
AI practitioners are primarily seeing very pointed benefits within problems that directly impact the bottom line.
AEC Tech | Jul 24, 2018
Weidt Group’s Net Energy Optimizer now available as software as a service
The proprietary energy analysis tool is open for use by the public.
Accelerate Live! | Jul 17, 2018
Call for speakers: Accelerate AEC! innovation conference, May 2019
This high-energy forum will deliver 20 game-changing business and technology innovations from the Giants of the AEC market.