Here’s what’s occurred since the last issue.
July 13. Trunk Tools Offers Critical Path Incentives for Skilled Trades - Published by ENR. (Must be a subscriber to view the article.) LiftBuild, a subsidiary of Barton Malow, utilized an AI-based platform, Trunk Tools, to improve its construction process for the Exchange residential project in Detroit by automating workforce scheduling and bonus payments, thus reducing delays. Trunk Tools, which recently secured $10 million in seed funding, uses behavioral economics, psychology and AI to offer monetary incentives to workers for accelerated task completion, helping to keep the project on schedule, improve efficiency and increase profitability.
July 14. Building a Customized ChatGPT App: Leveraging AI for Engaging Conversations - Published by TechBullion. Not construction, but good article for anyone planning to train their own GPT model.
July 22. Streamlining Architectural Projects: How Technology and Design Software Are Shaping the Future of Construction - Published by Fagen Wasanni (blog) (Poland). Technological advancements like Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, AI, machine learning, VR/AR and 3D printing are dramatically transforming the construction industry, making architectural projects more efficient, cost-effective and innovative. BIM enhances collaboration and reduces errors by enabling all stakeholders to access and update the same 3D model, while drones improve site monitoring and safety, and AI and machine learning help predict trends, identify risks and suggest solutions. Additionally, VR and AR offer immersive ways to experience designs, and 3D printing enables the rapid creation of complex designs, potentially reducing waste and lowering costs.
July 22. ChatGPT: The Next Frontier of Construction Contracts - Advertorial Published by For Construction Pros. Generative AI, like OpenAI's GPT-4, is transforming construction contracts by translating complex legal language into plain English, drafting contracts based on user inputs and extracting crucial data from large volumes of text for other systems. The technology can also consistently apply revisions across a document, reducing manual labor and potential errors. However, adoption hurdles such as information security concerns and a trust deficit in AI capabilities need to be addressed for wider acceptance.
July 26. Sow With Caution to Reap the Benefits of Generative AI - Published by ENR The construction and design industries have begun to harness the potential of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, for diverse tasks such as social media marketing, proposal development, brainstorming, scheduling, and data analysis, significantly enhancing efficiency. However, amidst these opportunities, concerns regarding over-reliance, potential legal complications, quality control, and maintaining brand image call for a balanced approach, with proper policies and guidance in place.