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
AEC Tech | Jan 27, 2023
Epic Games' latest foray into the AEC market and real estate industry
From architecture to real estate, the realm of computer-aided design hits new heights as more and more firms utilize the power of Epic Games’ Twinmotion and Unreal Engine.
AEC Tech | Jan 27, 2023
Key takeaways from Autodesk University 2022
Autodesk laid out its long-term vision to drive digital collaboration through cloud-based solutions and emphasized the importance of connecting people, processes and data.
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 21, 2022
An inside look at the airport industry's plan to develop a digital twin guidebook
Zoë Fisher, AIA explores how design strategies are changing the way we deliver and design projects in the post-pandemic world.
BAS and Security | Oct 19, 2022
The biggest cybersecurity threats in commercial real estate, and how to mitigate them
Coleman Wolf, Senior Security Systems Consultant with global engineering firm ESD, outlines the top-three cybersecurity threats to commercial and institutional building owners and property managers, and offers advice on how to deter and defend against hackers.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Jul 19, 2022
Why Autodesk Tandem is the best fit for your projects
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Jun 24, 2022
Pave the way for better business relationships with digital twins
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Jun 2, 2022
How does BIM data fit into your digital twin?
Smart Buildings | Jun 1, 2022
Taking full advantage of smart building technology
Drew Deatherage of Crux Solutions discusses where owners and AEC firms could do better at optimizing smart technology in building design and operations.
AEC Tech | Apr 19, 2022
VDC maturity and the key to driving better, more predictable outcomes
While more stakeholders across the AEC value chain embrace the concept of virtual design and construction, what is driving the vastly different results that organizations achieve? The answer lies within an assessment of VDC maturity.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Mar 24, 2022
Data-driven building design and successful project outcomes
Data-driven science, control systems and even journalism are in vogue today, reflecting the increasing reliance on real facts and figures—rather than experience or subjective opinions—to drive successful pursuits. In the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) realm, the same trend is helping make project teams and buildings more successful. The ultimate goal is to enhance value through a process that predicts accurately the cost of a building—even if its architects may not see the construction begin until two or more years after the start of schematic design.