AI in construction is cropping up more often in the news lately, a trend that will likely continue. Much of it is still in the realm of "potential" analysis and surveys of plans to use AI, rather than many concrete case studies. Some owners are investigating how AI can help solve specific challenges. For example, the Virginia Department of Transportation is exploring the use of AI to help it cope with the huge rise in highway construction costs. Meanwhile, AI is driving actual construction, from the Milwaukee School of Engineering's announcement of a new 4-story, 97,000-square-foot facility with labs, classrooms and workshops focused on robotics and AI, to investment in a new mammoth data center in Utah. Read on.
Human-Centric AI in Construction: Balancing Innovation, Safety and Trust
Construction presents challenges that set it apart from other sectors deploying AI. Various factors reinforce the importance of an interdependent relationship between humans and machines. Rather than replacing human judgment, AI should function as a collaborative partner that augments human capabilities, bringing efficiency and precision while keeping skilled humans at the decision-making helm. Forbes
Will AI build the construction industry 2.0?
Patric Hellermann, founding general partner at built environment venture capital firm Foundamental, has a view on where AI should be applied and used first within the construction industry: “In white collar workflows, for GC’s [general contractors], the bidding and estimation workflow as well as the financial back office are interesting insertion points for AI.” Verdict
Artificial intelligence in the construction industry: An opportunity awaits
The South Florida Business Journal reports on the Grassi Construction, Architecture & Engineering 2024 Conditions and Outlook Report. The survey asked construction companies if they are planning to invest in technology through 2024 and into 2025, here’s how they responded… South Florida Business Journal
Building The Future: How AI Is Revolutionizing Construction
Builders must build the places we live, work, shop, and otherwise conduct our daily lives. Construction projects need a significant amount of dependencies and advance planning. Projects can take years before ground is even broken. Given the complexity, it’s no surprise that AI is making an impact on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of construction projects. Forbes
VDOT bets on AI to cut costs and keep Virginia roads smooth
Highway construction costs have surged 68% nationwide since 2020. So, Virginia’s transportation officials are looking to artificial intelligence to improve state cost estimates and pavement upkeep management. “It is a great time for VDOT to investigate the potential for Artificial Intelligence to enhance the way we make decisions given our ongoing commitment to improving our data collection and management,” said Cathy McGhee, chief deputy commissioner for VDOT, in a statement to the Mercury. Virginia Mercury
Y-Combinator Alum Jonas Ebrahimi Paves the Way for AI-Driven Construction Management
Jonas Ebrahimi, CEO of Karmen and a Y Combinator alumnus, is playing a role in alleviating the burden of construction administration. Karmen is an AI-powered assistant for construction project managers designed to automate time-consuming administrative tasks, allowing teams to focus on building rather than bureaucracy. USA Today
Oracle Boosts AI In Construction And Cloud With New Innovations At Customer Edge Summit
“We are helping our general contractor customers improve the relationships with their subcontractors while reducing costly support calls,” says Mike Antis, global VP of Textura. The company unveiled a new AI agent integrated into the Oracle Textura Payment Management Cloud Service. The AI-powered assistant, available to all Textura subcontractors in the U.S., offers real-time, tailored support to help users quickly find answers to frequently asked pay application questions and complete other essential tasks. Benzinga
AI is Revolutionizing Construction – 'Now’s the Time to Lead the Change,' Says Pioneer Lilian Ho
In a sector historically rooted in conventional methods, AI is not merely optimizing processes; it is redefining the very essence of architecture and construction. We are witnessing a paradigm shift so profound that entirely new ways of thinking, designing and building will soon emerge. Arch Daily
How AI will transform construction
The construction industry is poised for a significant transformation through the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies. Advancements aim to address the sector's pressing challenges, including health and safety concerns, labor shortages and project delays, according to a recent report by GlobalData's Strategic Intelligence. Construction companies are developing AI tools for processing and visualizing data and automating routine tasks. MEED
Education
MSOE plans $76.5 million engineering school, AI lab
The Milwaukee School of Engineering on Monday announced its “Next Bold Step” campaign, which involves $125 million to support the university’s mission to prepare future leaders to solve technical challenges of the 21st century, officials said. The school will use $76.5 million to build a 4-story, 97,000-square-foot facility with labs, classrooms and workshops focused on robotics and AI, officials added. The Daily Reporter
Opinion
AI Is Helping to Build a Stronger Colorado
Colorado’s construction workforce has always leveraged the latest technological advancements to help build and maintain the infrastructure that underpins our everyday life. Now, our industry is getting help behind the scenes from a new tool in our belt: AI. The Gazette
Projects
Banks Loan $2 Billion to Build a 100-Acre AI Data Center in Utah
JP Morgan Chase and Starwood Property Trust will lend $2 billion for development of 100-acre data center in West Jordan, Utah. The project signals the continued appetite for massive infrastructure for artificial intelligence. data centers are getting much larger to serve AI, which consumes more advanced chips and more power. Data centers are also increasingly getting commitments from big-name tenants before breaking ground, rather than building on a speculative basis with little preleasing. WSJ
