Unless you're ready to deploy robots on your jobsites,
artificial intelligence (AI) won't be performing any actual construction work
for you just yet. However, this burgeoning technology has plenty of other
practical applications for contractors. Let's explore four use cases for how AI
may be able to help your company right now.
1. Project planning
AI can make a difference as early as the bidding stage. For
instance, generative AI is capable of quickly developing and comparing multiple
bid scenarios to identify the one that best meets a project's major goals, such
as reducing costs, mitigating environmental impact or improving the
deliverable's functionality.
More specifically, generative AI's natural language processing
capabilities can review job specifications to help your bid address key
requirements. It can also highlight any potential red flags that might make the
project less appealing or riskier.
In addition, AI can help expedite and enhance feasibility
studies to consider a wide range of factors, including zoning laws and
materials costs, that typically take weeks to assess manually. And it may
improve the accuracy of your cost estimates by crunching mountains of data on
historical job costs, labor market statistics, trending prices and other
relevant information.
2. Job management
AI-driven automation can help your project managers adapt to
jobsite challenges and lighten their workloads. For example, smart scheduling
lets them adjust on the fly to changing conditions and improve resource
allocation — from materials and equipment to workers — and reduce idle time. If
delays occur, AI can recalculate timelines and suggest tactics to mitigate the
negative effects.
AI tools can also assist with reviewing construction plans for
building code compliance and help streamline aspects of the permitting process.
Algorithms may identify patterns that often precede problems, such as job
delays and cost overruns, enabling project managers to take timely preventive
steps.
Some of the more meticulous aspects of job oversight can be
simplified, too. AI-enabled dashboards provide real-time visibility into cost
variances, delivering up-to-the-minute visibility on financial performance.
Image recognition tools make it easier to confirm adherence to specifications,
ferret out defects and track project progress on the ground.
3. Safety improvement
Safety is always a concern — especially when labor shortages
mean you may have fewer workers, or more inexperienced ones, on-site than you'd
like. AI-based technologies, such as computer vision systems, drones and
wearable sensors, can continuously monitor areas that are hazardous, elevated,
confined or otherwise difficult to see. In turn, field supervisors are better
able to promptly catch and correct dangerous deviations from safety standards,
preempt operational problems and prevent costly accidents.
Predictive analytics can further improve safety. Based on data
from safety reports, root-cause studies and similar sources, AI is able to flag
high-risk activities and project stages, as well as recommend suitable
mitigation tactics.
4. Employee efficiency and knowledge
retention
The ongoing labor shortage doesn't affect only jobsite safety.
Difficulty hiring qualified employees also means you need to make the most of
the workers you have — particularly project managers, field supervisors,
certified craftsmen and other skilled laborers. AI tools, such as document
assistants, smart scheduling software and internal knowledge copilots, can help
you better deploy your team and improve efficiency.
And that's not all. The shrinking labor pool, as well as natural
staff attrition from retirements or other employment changes, makes retaining
vital institutional knowledge a critical concern for many construction
businesses. The good news: When you start adopting AI technologies, you must
"feed" them the data they need to work optimally. In doing so, you can capture
and document important company knowledge that might otherwise leave with key
employees.
Act strategically
Although AI offers promising opportunities to improve
efficiency, safety and profitability, it also represents a substantial
financial commitment. Hardware costs, software subscriptions, implementation
and integration, employee training, and ongoing cybersecurity measures can add
up quickly.
So, you've got to approach AI strategically. Focus and, indeed, insist on getting an
acceptable return on investment for whatever you dedicate dollars to. We'd be
happy to help you evaluate whether and how any prospective solution aligns with
your construction company's operations, cash flow and long-term growth plans.
