Construction Risk

Video Presentation: The Use of AI Tools for Avoidance, Management and Resolution of Construction Claims

This is a recording of the June 26, 2024 webinar presented by Travis Olsen, P.E., PSP on the use of chatbots, or LLMs (large language models), for use in construction project management, specifically for documentation management and the resolution of construction claims and change orders.

In May, OpenAI announced its latest LLM model, GPT-4o. The “o” in GPT-4o stands for omni, alluding to the model's capability to natively receive text, image, audio, and video inputs and deliver outputs in any one of the same formats. OpenAI’s demonstrations of these capabilities are downright impressive.

Every project is subject to uncertainties. A project risk register is a tool that lists and prioritizes these uncertainties based on their potential impact and likelihood. It gives a clear snapshot of what might go wrong and how severe the consequences might be. A Risk Response Strategy, meanwhile, outlines a plan to address the risks, avoiding, mitigating, or even accepting certain risks to keep the project on track.

Welcome to the fourth installment of our eBook series 'AI-Powered Risk Management’. In this edition, we'll focus on the construction phase and how the Risk Matrix is used during this crucial time. The construction phase is where plans turn into reality. Buildings rise, roads form, and every design on paper comes to life. However, along with this flurry of activity comes a spectrum of risks. 

Welcome to the third installment of our eBook series 'AI-Powered Risk Management.' This edition focuses on the pivotal phase preceding actual construction: the pre-construction phase. Pre-construction is where managers must make numerous critical decisions, laying the groundwork for the project's success. Miscalculation or oversight can cascade, leading to delays, increased costs, or compromised safety during construction.

As we embark on this edition, our focus narrows to the pivotal realm of the construction phase, concentrating on risk identification during this critical period. This eBook highlights the significant role of AI in pinpointing potential risks, enabling preventive action and robust management to ensure the seamless progression of the project.

Recent updates to the paid version of the ChatGPT app have brought several valuable features to an already robust software. The app’s new features now include the ability to upload photos and files, speak to ChatGPT and hear responses in a natural voice. In this article, I’ll demonstrate how to use the photos feature as an effective hazard identification and safety planning tool.

Artificial Intelligence is gaining the power to seamlessly ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, a critical aspect of the overall project success. In an exploration of AI-powered project management through a series of eBooks, we survey the transformative impact of AI on the successful execution, monitoring, and delivery of extensive projects. Our focus in this edition will converge on AI-Powered Risk Management. 

Subcontractor management can be one of the most challenging aspects of a construction project. Subcontractors provide necessary and invaluable services, but they can also introduce safety risks to projects that can impact the general contractor, the project schedule, and the safety of workers across the project. Subcontractor safety performance must be vetted, monitored, and corrected throughout the lifecycle of a project. ChatGPT can help.