Artificial intelligence has sent shockwaves through numerous industries, including construction. With advanced software, you gain real-time data regarding the state of the construction yard. AI allows you to monitor your workforce and streamline various risks, increasing safety and efficiency.
7 Uses for AI and ML in Construction
Companies can utilize AI and ML to experience all sorts of benefits. These are the most common use cases for this modern technology:
1. Prevent Overruns
The sad truth about the construction business is that a lot of projects go over the budget. Even with the best software and planning, there’s always a chance something will go awry on the construction site.
By relying on artificial intelligence, we’re able to predict overruns with a much higher certainty. Artificial intelligence analyzes data sets and takes into account contract type, project size, and company history.
With this data, AI is able to create predictive models and provide a realistic timeline for the project. As long as you’re following this timeline, as well as the expected budget, you should be much closer to realistic goals and deadliness.
2. Design Buildings
BMI, or Building Information Modeling, has become a popular concept within the industry. BMI allows us to create virtual models by using construction site footage and other visual information. It creates a basis that your engineering, architecture, and construction professionals can utilize.
Among others, BMI is vital for creating plans, construction, design, and other infrastructural elements. It takes into account plumbing, mechanical, and electrical aspects, ensuring that each team knows their task.
Through AI generative design, artificial intelligence experts are able to create a single 3D model that will be used across the company. The model is created according to managers’ requirements, optimizing every aspect of the building for a more efficient project.
3. Reduce Risks
Construction projects are notorious for their risks. Aside from the obvious safety risks, we also have to consider deadlines, costs, and quality. Things are even worse if you’re conducting a large project, as all these hazards tend to multiply.
With AI and ML solutions, you try to make sense of it all. With the right software, you’re able to monitor various processes in real time. For example, you can use various construction time tracking solutions to track each person in the field so they don’t go into forbidden zones.
Most importantly, AI assesses different risk factors ahead of a project. It is vital for planning phases and making sure everything’s done on time. The right program can rate each subcontractor and assign them a risk score, helping managers with decision-making.
4. Plan Projects
Artificial intelligence is especially important during the initial project phases. By using a combination of robots and sophisticated programs, you’re able to assess project costs and deadliness with a much higher accuracy.
Many companies nowadays use drones to make 3D construction site scans. By feeding data into the system, artificial intelligence is able to assess the completion of each task.
Given that you’ll have detailed building plans, you’ll notice everything that might become a potential problem. Reacting quickly will allow you to address these issues before they force you to break your deadliness.
The best thing yet is that AI and ML will only become more powerful. The technology relies on a concept known as “reinforced learning,” which allows the software to improve from its mistakes. Advanced software is perfect for optimizing your projects and boosting efficiency across the board.
5. Increase Productivity
As we’ve just mentioned, AI is vital for optimizing different processes. Among others, you now have companies that offer automated machinery for construction projects. This equipment is ideal for various repetitive tasks, such as bricklaying, welding, and demolition. Not only is it efficient, but it is also much safer.
AI is also utilized for various vehicles. Bulldozers and other trucks use GPS navigation and other sophisticated systems for daily logistics. Some of these vehicles are completely or semi-autonomous, similar to self-driving cars, and are handled by programmers, not drivers.
Sticking to the topic of productivity, companies nowadays use advanced software to analyze the performance of each contractor. They can track entire staff via smartphones, making sure that no one’s slacking off.
6. Increase Safety
A lot of activities related to the construction business are considered extremely risky. According to data, the majority of incidents were a result of falls. Aside from that, construction workers are at risk of being electrocuted, run over, struck by different objects, and caught between objects.
Wearing protective gear is definitely a good way to safeguard your workforce and avoid potential litigation. However, there are also some other, more sophisticated AI solutions you might want to take into consideration.
For example, using AI-powered drones would allow you to scan a construction yard for potential hazards. There are even apps that can determine if your staff is wearing appropriate gear for a specific task.
On top of that, AI and ML are able to assess large quantities of data and determine the biggest risk factors according to the nature of your project.
7. Address Shortages
The construction business has been struggling with labor shortages for a while now. The lack of skilled labor has affected wages, which means that companies are forced to squeeze as much value from each contractor in the field as possible.
With AI and ML, you’re able to track each person in the field. You’re able to reroute them toward higher priority tasks and maximize their each work hour.
Furthermore, AI also helps with material shortages. It predicts how much stuff you’ll need for each activity and can even order supplies from retailers. AI also assists by scheduling equipment maintenance, making sure all your machines are in great shape.
Last Thoughts
AI and ML have forever changed construction projects. With this advanced technology, you can significantly improve your results across the board. AI is vital for managing your staff, materials, and equipment, ensuring that you get the most value from each resource.
