TL;DR:
- Arkansas construction leaders recognize the potential of AI as a valuable tool in the construction industry.
- The global market value for AI in construction is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 35.2%.
- Companies like Nabholz Construction and VCC Construction have been testing AI tools to improve data protocols, reduce waste, and enhance decision-making.
- AI applications in pre-construction include plan options development, workflow modeling, scheduling optimization, and project documentation.
- The integration of AI requires a focus on clean and trustworthy data, as well as training and onboarding of new technologies.
- AI tools have the potential to supplement the workforce, enhance safety, and improve efficiency in construction operations.
- Contractors acknowledge that human judgment remains crucial, and AI is seen as a tool to enhance processes rather than replace workers.
Main AI News:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in the construction industry, offering contractors a powerful new tool in their arsenal. With the increasing prevalence of data, AI is poised to revolutionize the sector over the next five to 10 years. However, industry leaders approach its widespread adoption with cautious optimism, recognizing the need for rigorous testing to ensure accuracy and reliability.
According to Vantage Market Research, the global market value for AI in construction is projected to soar from $594.6 million in 2022 to an impressive $4.9 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 35.2% from 2023 to 2030.
Jon Pahl, corporate innovation director at Nabholz Construction, reveals that his company has been conducting extensive tests on AI tools for the past 12 to 18 months. These tests primarily focus on data protocols, ensuring that workers can rely on the information generated by AI systems. Pahl emphasizes that they are still in the early stages of understanding the full potential of AI in the market. As the construction tech landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Nabholz Construction aims to differentiate between genuinely valuable solutions and mere distractions.
Pahl firmly believes that AI holds the key to addressing various construction challenges, such as waste reduction, improved decision-making, and time savings. However, he underscores that the effectiveness of machine learning depends on the quality of the data it learns from. As an industry, it is crucial to ensure that data is clean, trustworthy, and centrally organized in a comprehensive data warehouse before reaping the full benefits of machine learning.
Nabholz is currently running trials on AI tools in the pre-construction phases. These trials encompass diverse applications, including generating site-specific plan options, modeling project sequences and workflows, identifying optimal scheduling solutions, and digitally documenting project progress. Pahl explains that with a sufficient amount of images, algorithms can be employed to determine progress and completion percentages. Furthermore, advanced tools can even scan these photos for safety issues that may have been overlooked by human observers during on-site inspections.
To effectively harness the power of AI, Nabholz has been actively collecting data and adopting a more intentional approach to its utilization. This has led to the creation of new roles within the company, such as applications analysts, who serve as computer programmers. Pahl acknowledges that having computer programmers as part of a construction company’s staff would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. However, their expertise in integrating various data sources and ensuring smooth data flow has become integral to leveraging the potential of AI.
Another construction firm embracing AI is VCC Construction, led by CEO Derek Alley. Alley emphasizes the rapid pace at which AI tools and their capabilities are expanding, describing it as both exciting and overwhelming. In response, VCC established a task force in mid-2022 to closely monitor AI developments and explore their potential applications. Alley envisions AI tools being implemented across all departments and industries, revolutionizing efficiency and processes, including optimized building process flow and scheduling.
VCC has recently collaborated with DigiBuild, utilizing an AI chatbot named ChatGPT to source construction materials. Through DigiBuild’s blockchain-based procurement model, VCC has significantly reduced the time required for creating an expediting list. Previously, this process involved manual completion by project engineers and staff, painstakingly reviewing drawings and specifications. The AI chatbot can now generate the list in a matter of seconds by analyzing the provided data.
Despite the immense potential AI brings, some apprehension remains within the industry. Pahl humorously acknowledges the fear that robots might eventually take over the world, which stems from construction’s long-standing reliance on skilled human craftsmen. However, he reassures that the goal is not to replace workers but to supplement their efforts. By delegating lower-value or repetitive tasks to machines, companies can enhance their workforce’s safety, improve efficiency, and allow workers to focus on higher-value assignments.
Jordan Ligon, business development manager at C.R. Crawford Construction, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the potential safety and efficiency benefits of AI in mitigating rising labor costs. While he recognizes AI’s positive impact on the industry, Ligon firmly believes that human judgment remains indispensable and cannot be entirely replaced by AI systems. Nonetheless, he sees substantial potential for AI to enhance process efficiency, safety, and quality control.
Addressing concerns about technology overpowering human work, Pahl argues that throughout history, people have always found innovative tools to assist them in their tasks. He envisions a future where technology continues to grow and augment human capabilities, rather than completely replacing them. Similarly, Alley envisions AI as another tool in the construction industry’s toolbox, capable of making the world a better place when used in conjunction with other advancements.
Nevertheless, the adoption and integration of new technologies pose challenges, especially when they are perceived as science fiction. However, as these technologies become increasingly tangible and practical, the industry is adapting to the fast-paced emergence of AI.
Gene Kitsmiller, director of virtual design and construction at Baldwin & Shell Construction, shares his experience of leveraging AI to streamline daily tasks, such as integrating software and using AI-driven design software to automatically place items based on code. Brett Meek, a project manager at Baldwin & Shell, has successfully utilized ChatGPT to develop safety topic lists for subcontractor meetings and gather information on construction standards. To ensure accuracy, Meek thoroughly reviews the output generated by AI tools.
Kitsmiller and Meek also highlight the use of the AI-driven Dusty Robotics robot on their job sites. This remarkable robot autonomously prints building layouts onto concrete slabs, combining the functionalities of a battle bot and a printer.
Looking ahead, the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation (ACEF) plans to launch a heavy machinery operator apprenticeship program. This program will enable contractors and their employees to train using AI simulators for heavy machinery. Zach Sloan, Deputy Director of ACEF, explains that heavy machinery operations could be conducted remotely within the next five to 10 years. This shift would significantly enhance safety by eliminating the need for operators to be physically present in hazardous work environments.
Conclusion:
The growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the construction industry represents a significant market opportunity. With the projected market value for AI in construction set to soar, companies that embrace and leverage AI technologies can gain a competitive edge. By testing and implementing AI tools, construction firms can improve efficiency, enhance safety measures, and optimize decision-making processes. However, it is crucial to address concerns, ensure data integrity, and provide adequate training for successful AI integration. The construction industry stands to benefit greatly from embracing AI as another valuable tool in their business strategies.
