Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a global game-changer transforming business operations across the construction industry. From the early days of AI development to its current state, the integration of AI has revolutionized how projects are planned, executed, and managed. Early adopters of AI in construction have seen a profound impact on business with acceleration tools, but the gap in digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) maturity between leaders and laggards has increased by 60% (McKinsey & Company).
AI is an essential tool every contractor should be leveraging to allocate resources more efficiently. We’ll dive into the history of AI in construction, how it affects workflows in all phases of the construction lifecycle, and why you need to incorporate AI into your business to boost efficiency and profitability now.
A History Lesson
AI has its roots in the mid-20th century when pioneering computer scientists began exploring the possibilities of machines simulating human intelligence. The term “artificial intelligence” was coined by John McCarthy in 1956 during the Dartmouth Conference, which is often considered the birthplace of AI as a field. Early AI research focused on problem-solving and symbolic methods, with advancements in the 1980s and 1990s leading to the development of machine learning and neural networks.
The turn of the 21st century saw exponential growth in AI capabilities, driven by increased computational power, big data, and sophisticated algorithms. This is when construction was introduced to design automation, robotics and drones, predictive maintenance, and material optimization. These early applications of AI in construction laid the groundwork for today’s more advanced and sophisticated capabilities that improve workflows and increase business efficiency.
The Importance of Integrating AI into Your Construction Workflows
Adding powerful AI tools is crucial to streamlined workflows. You gain:
- Historical Data Analysis – AI trained on extensive past datasets can examine data meticulously, sorting through project type, downtime averages, scope of work, delivery methods, and more. It also provides insights and predictions, allowing for better-informed decision-making.
- Better Risk Management – Help identify potential risks and issues like budget overruns or scheduling conflicts before they become critical.
- Resource Optimization – Optimize the use of materials, labor, and equipment, in turn reducing waste and costs.. Improved Safety – AI systems can monitor construction sites for safety hazards through photo and video analysis, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
How AI is Transforming the Construction Lifecycle
AI offers numerous advantages that streamline planning and preparation in all phases of construction.
PRECONSTRUCTION
Design and Planning: AI-powered design tools can generate multiple design iterations quickly, optimizing for cost, materials, and sustainability.
Cost Estimation: AI tools with powerful takeoff automation allow you to focus on evaluating projects, increasing bid output, and maximizing scalability. Algorithms analyze historical data to provide accurate cost estimates, reducing the likelihood of budget overruns.
Scheduling: AI can create efficient project schedules, predicting potential delays and suggesting adjustments to keep the project on track.
CONSTRUCTION
Project Monitoring: AI-driven project management software tracks progress in real-time, identifying deviations from the plan and suggesting corrective actions.
Quality Control: AI can inspect work for quality assurance, ensuring the project meets specified standards and building codes.
Predictive Maintenance: AI predicts equipment failures before they occur, allowing for timely maintenance and reduced downtime.
Labor Management: AI optimizes labor allocation, ensuring that the right number of workers with the right skills are available when needed.
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The Effects of AI on Your Business
The integration of AI in construction streamlines workflows and boosts overall business efficiency and profitability, but only when you start with good data hygiene and data standardization across the company. Companies that have leading digital and AI capabilities outperform laggards by two to six times (McKinsey & Company). When adopting AI, you’ll see:
- Cost Savings: By optimizing resource use, reducing waste, and preventing estimating errors, AI helps reduce costs from preconstruction to construction.
- Time Efficiency: AI streamlines processes with powerful automations, reducing the time required to complete projects and enabling contractors to focus on evaluating future projects and increase scalability.
- Competitive Advantage: Companies that leverage AI gain a competitive edge by delivering projects faster, more efficiently, and with higher accuracy.
- Customer Satisfaction: Improved accuracy, quality, and timeliness result in higher client satisfaction and repeat business.
Leverage Powerful Automation with STACK Assist
STACK Assist uses machine learning to automatically measure floor plan items such as walls, doors, rooms, and symbols. With lightning-fast, automated takeoffs built into the STACK platform, contractors have a time-saving projection of 50-90%. Less time clicking and measuring means more time to focus on evaluating projects, increasing bid output, and winning more profitable projects using powerful, native software capabilities.
Platforms like STACK with longevity in the construction technology space will have the most leverage with powerful AI tools because of the historical data that’s been created and stored in the software for years. We are constantly investing in research and development, and hyper focused on how AI can improve our customers’ experience while maintaining the highest standards for accuracy.
The evolution of AI in construction marks a pivotal shift in how the industry operates. From its early conceptual stages to its current advanced applications, AI has proven to be an invaluable tool for enhancing decision-making, managing risks, optimizing resources, and improving safety. Contractors who integrate AI into their workflows benefit significantly during both the preconstruction and build phases. As AI technology continues to advance, its impact on the construction industry will only grow, paving the way for smarter, safer, and more efficient building practices.
