Editor’s Note: Volume 2 Issue 9

What are agentic workflows, what do they mean for generative AI, and what does it have to do with construction? We begin to explore that this week, looking at how one type of agentic workflow can boost the quality of generative AI content for you. Also, find more bullish reports on AI’s growth in the construction industry, including how applied visual AI is poised to improve safety levels in construction projects.

In this issue, David Dunham introduces one of the newest tools for harnessing generative AI to produce better quality content: Agentic workflows. If you studied social psychology, you might know that “agentic” is a social-psychological phenomenon in which people act as agents or representatives for an authority. But agentic can also mean a mindset of competency. A clue is in the word's root, i.e., "agent." Psychologists talk about a person having "agency," which means the power to act.

Agentic learning involves self-directed actions aimed at growth and development based on chosen goals. OpenAI defines Agentic AI as systems that can pursue complex goals with limited direct supervision. For generative AI and our purposes here, it is a means to enable AI to produce better content.

Dunham's exploration focuses on one of the four types of agentic workflows: reflection. He walks us through how to use reflection to get better outcomes from generative AI. Along with the exploration, we've included the complete chatlog of his example in PDF form.

Meanwhile, Michael Causey reports on a webinar on how visual AI can improve project safety levels and summarizes the findings of a couple of recent reports from Deloitte and Apiko. It's no big surprise that they are bullish on the application of AI in design and construction.

Good reading.

Ponderable
Regardless of advancements in construction technology, industry leaders are exploring a human-in-the-loop concept that requires the involvement of highly skilled individuals to carry out tasks such as fact-checking, in-depth analysis, and understanding the complex details needed for each construction process. – Deloitte

Rob Rogers, Managing Editor

Related Articles

Copyright 2023 - WPL Publishing Company, Inc.

Recent Articles

Editor's Notes: Volume 2 Issue 10

Construction companies use hazard reporting systems to engage the workforce in creating a safer work environment. This week, learn how to create AI-enabled hazard reporting system using freely available software. Meanwhile, many construction companies are skeptical of the cost/benefit (risk/benefit?) of employing AI. See what a survey and the chairman of the CCA have to say, then catch up on the latest AI news.

Creating an AI-Enabled Hazard Reporting System

Many construction companies use hazard reporting systems to engage the workforce in creating a safer work environment. These systems often incorporate some form hazard identification report that workers use to identify and report hazards they observe. Implemented effectively, such tools positively impact the identification and management of safety hazards ...

Small and Mid-Size Construction Firms Missing Out on AI Benefits

Too much hyperbole about the potential negatives of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on operations is one of the most significant factors slowing its adoption among mid- and small-size construction firms, Craig Hurst, Director of Client Success at the Net Effect and Chairperson of the Canadian Construction Association tells Construction AI.

Survey: Construction Industry Most Skeptical of AI

Many people remain skeptical about the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), with some even fearing it will take their jobs and infringe on their personal liberties. By industry, construction leads in AI resistance, reflecting sector-specific challenges in embracing technology. So says a fascinating new survey by Yooz.

AI in the News – May 2024

A summary of top AI news stories in business and construction. Whatever else AI means for construction, right now it means massive new projects for the enormous amounts of infrastructure behind it. Also find out how many companies are actually using AI, Microsoft's AI-driven climate problem, and more.

Editor’s Note: Volume 2 Issue 9

What are agentic workflows, what do they mean for generative AI, and what does it have to do with construction? We begin to explore that this week, looking at how one type of agentic workflow can boost the quality of generative AI content for you. Also, find more bullish reports on AI’s growth in the construction industry.

Agentic Workflows: The Future of Collaborative AI Interaction (with chat log)

To improve the output of generative AI models, we explore an exciting concept in AI development called Agentic workflow. Agentic workflows work differently than standard work with LLMs. Rather than an LLM generating its final output directly, an agentic workflow prompts the LLM multiple times, allowing it to build, step by step, a higher-quality output.

AI Poised to Improve Safety Levels in Construction Projects

Artificial intelligence’s (AI) ability to discern patterns unapparent to the human eye is already beginning to help improve safety and performance on construction projects. And the future looks bright for more positive impact, according to panelists at a webinar sponsored by Sensera Sytems on April 23.

Reports Bullish on AI Growth in the Construction Industry

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) could mark a pivotal moment in the industry's digital transformation, building on the momentum gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from Deloitte. "Construction technology companies are actively exploring generative AI's potential for enhancing efficiencies and are working on solutions to harness this technology to suit their business needs," says the report.

Editor's Note: Volume 2, Issue 8

This week find Chapter 2 in Part I of the eBook series AI-Powered Construction Management--use ChatGPT to redefine identification and management of project deliverables. Then, In our AI primer series: cat or dog? How does Machine Learning work? Next read about AI concerns—notably its energy appetite, along with several other relevant stories AI in the News! And finally, catch a prediction on the pace of change.

AI-Powered Construction Management – Part I Chapter 2

This 2nd chapter of Part I of the eBook series, "AI-Powered Construction Management" focuses on identifying deliverables during the construction phase. This phase, brimming with activities and complexities, demands precision and foresight to navigate successfully. This exploration will demonstrate how you can leverage generative AI to redefine the identification and management of project deliverables.

The pace of AI Innovation Gains Steam in 2024

Did the pace of innovation in artificial intelligence shake you in 2023? In that case, you'd better hold onto your hat, Kris Lengieza, global technology evangelist for Procore, said during a recent episode of The Construction Record Podcast.