Artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology is still in flux as refinements continue and new use cases test its accuracy in real-world applications. While OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been the talk across industries and vertical markets for months, now artificial intelligence is beginning to make a direct effect on construction and electrical contracting.
The time may be right for A.I.’s move to mainstream application in the construction industry. Improvements in computer vision technology and faster processing speeds, analytics and data procurement, cloud computing and enhanced machine and deep learning algorithms have made the platform more stable and applicable to automate specific processes.
A.I. is being applied in construction to assist with project management, specifically in creating bids for new work. According to Construction Dive, A.I. helps create more accurate bids, alleviating some of the unknowns while establishing a more complete process that even incorporates uncertainties like inflation, rising material costs, supply chain distribution challenges and labor shortages. With A.I.’s predictive analytics and real-time insights, defects and errors are detected early on before they become budget-busters.
A.I. targets inefficiencies
In 2022, 92% of construction companies said they were using or intend to use A.I., according to Peak’s Decision Intelligence Maturity Index, but most are far from ready for a full rollout of the technology. (Peak’s Index is designed to provide a benchmark for businesses, giving a measure of A.I.-readiness.) There’s a learning curve for every industry sector and construction is no exception. The index revealed that only 65% of construction companies’ A.I. projects have been successful¾among the lowest percentage of industries surveyed.
Accuracy in assembling bids is crucial, yet many factors can affect the outcome, including missing elements or mistakes like incomplete drawings or unfilled requirements. There may be incorrect design information or other discrepancies that lead to cost and schedule overruns. A.I. quickly and automatically identifies many of these discrepancies and potential issues.
According to Shir Abecasis, CEO and founder of FIRMUS, which uses the power of A.I. to stop project guesswork, 8% of construction costs are due to design-induced rework. FIRMUS is an Israel-based pre-construction A.I. and computer vision startup.
Typical variation between estimates and actual costs ranges from 5%-30%, and 24% of claims in construction are due to incomplete design. Abecasis said the software can automatically identify preconstruction scope gaps or inadequacies.
Construction eyes rewards/risks
Construction is one of the industries eager to adopt the technology, according to a National Law Review article by Melissa B. Mahle, a senior advisor in Bradley’s Construction, Energy and Cybersecurity and Privacy practice groups. Mahle stated that A.I.’s major strengths lie in “automating processes, gaining insights through parsing large amounts of data analysis and engaging with customers and employees. Using past data, construction firms can exploit A.I. to automate preconstruction processes such as drafting bids and proposing designs.” She cautioned that without rigorous oversight, A.I. errors can result in significant and costly mistakes, particularly in automated processes.
While A.I. can be a force multiplier for the construction sector, the adoption of new and rapidly changing technology poses risks, Mahle wrote. “The revolutionary nature of A.I. technology may lead some companies to target transformative projects that are difficult to pull off, rather than low-hanging fruit that could improve day-to-day operations.”
Worker anxiety from A.I. adoption is also real. According to Peak’s Decision Intelligence Maturity Index, 22% of junior construction staff believe that A.I. will have a negative impact on employment in their industry within the next five years.
