Construction Industry AI

AI in the News - March 2025

AI for construction is in the news more often lately. Much of it is still in the realm of "potential" analysis and surveys of plans to use AI. But owners are investigating how AI can help solve specific challenges. For example, the Virginia Department of Transportation. And AI is driving actual construction, from MSOE's new building for robotics and AI, to investment in a new mammoth data center in Utah.

OpenAI's o1: When To Use It and When Not

When they first came out, OpenAI's o1 mini and o1 preview were slow and provided unnecessarily long responses. They were, in a word – annoying. Since the initial release, things have changed, and we now have access to the full o1 model (no longer in preview) and even an O1 Pro model. So what does o1 do well?

AI in the News - January 2025

One of the big challenges facing the construction industry is the labor shortage threatening productivity. AI promises to help. One analysis finds application for AI in six key areas, while a provocative story calls for a return to the master builder. "AI has the potential to resolve the complexities of modern construction and rekindle the spirit of the master builder for a new era.”

GPT-4o Image Query and Analysis - A Video Demonstration

In construction management, keeping pace with technological advancements is crucial for achieving efficiency and excellence. Recently, there has been a focus on exploring the capabilities of GPT-4o, utilizing its advanced features to analyze construction sites and optimize project planning with precision. Utilizing GPT-4o's image analysis feature, I captured a snapshot of a building under construction and demonstrate GTP-4o's capabilities.

AI Primer: Digital Twin

A digital twin is an exact and dynamic virtual copy of an object in the physical realm. Digital twins are used in manufacturing, aviation, medicine and construction, to name the most common applications. The object of a digital twin may be a component, asset, system or process--a curtain wall panel, an entire building or building complex, or a city plan for construction.

Machine Learning Applied to Construction Scheduling - AI as a Service

Chirag Soni, a veteran in the construction industry, has launched Gantt AI, a groundbreaking solution designed to transform construction scheduling. Leveraging extensive expertise from managing large-scale projects worldwide, Chirag and his team at Gantt AI are pioneering a new era in project management efficiency.

Embracing the Future: AI and Technology Transform Construction

The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is on the cusp of a transformative era, as demonstrated in the Bluebeam AEC Technology Outlook 2025 survey. With rapid technological advancements—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—and an industry-wide emphasis on sustainability, firms balance opportunities with challenges. The survey was conducted in 2024 across markets in several countries or regions.

AI: Automation Versus Augmentation

At a talk on artificial intelligence in a recent safety conference, my excitement turned to disappointment when the speaker promoted a camera system with basic AI functionality—tracking hardhat compliance and flagging puddles. I'd hoped to hear about how generative AI is revolutionizing construction work at a fundamental level. Our industry is still grappling with meaningfully implementing AI technology.

Onboard AI Like Your Newest Hire

Are you struggling with applying artificial intelligence (AI) to your construction business? You might do well to think of AI as a new “colleague” who needs onboarding just like any other employee, said Murillo Piazzi, digital consultant at the BIM Academy, on a recent 21cc podcast, "AI: Friend, Foe, or Confused Colleague?"

Publisher's Corner: AI & Safety

Jobsite safety is everyone's business. When we first decided to include a series on using ChatGPT for safety management, it was envisioned that the articles would appeal to, and be directed to, safety professionals. In retrospect, we were a bit narrow-minded in our thinking. Jobsite safety is indeed everyone's business, and today's article helps illustrate the point.

NIBS Annual Building Innovation Conference: AI, Digital Twins and Updated BIM Standards

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) held its annual Building Innovation conference this past week in Washington DC. NIBS is responsible for the development and management of the National Building Information Model (NBIM-US™) standards. BIM, of course, is all about construction data in a digital format: location, dimensions, material, equipment, costs, schedule and more. Read on about the use of AI with BIM.