Navigating the new frontier: The impact and challenges of AI in construction
Article posted on: 22 May 2024
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in the world today. It’s all around us and is already in our everyday lives in some form without us realising – we have face recognition to open our phones, Alexa and Siri are on hand to answer questions and offer suggestions on everything from what we listen to and shopping habits, Netflix suggests what we may want to watch next, and social channels are feeding us content based on what we have already viewed, the list goes on.
In business, AI is an incredibly powerful tool when used correctly and, as it evolves in the construction industry, so come the questions - is it safe? can it reduce risk? does it stack up financially?
AI will continue to reshape the construction industry and, in doing so, offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency, safety, and decision-making.
As the industry grapples with integrating these technologies, several challenges also come to the fore.
AI implementation challenges in construction
One of the primary challenges is the sheer complexity and variability of construction environments. Construction projects are dynamic, often experiencing unexpected scheduling, design, and work conditions changes. AI systems require vast amounts of data to learn and make accurate predictions or decisions. Gathering clean, structured, and relevant data from construction sites, which are naturally unstructured and chaotic, poses significant difficulties.
There is also the issue of cost. Initial investments in AI technology — including the acquisition of software, hardware, necessary sensors, training, and ongoing maintenance — can be substantial. This makes it challenging for smaller firms to adopt AI solutions, potentially widening the technological gap between large and small companies in the industry.
How AI is being used in construction
Despite these challenges, AI is making significant inroads into the construction industry, primarily driven by its potential to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Project planning is one area where AI is proving particularly beneficial. AI algorithms can optimise schedules, predict project delays, and allocate resources more efficiently by analysing historical data and ongoing project metrics.
Indeed, AI and BIM are a natural match. BIM has been at the forefront of construction innovation since the early 2000s. Integrating AI-driven simulations with BIM can empower project teams to make well-informed choices based on data-driven predictions of potential outcomes and options. This integration can also help minimise waste and energy usage, promoting more sustainable construction methods.
Research and development
The University of Reading is leading pioneering research in AI applications within the construction sector. Projects include developing AI-driven models for assessing social value and digitalising construction contract drafting. Collaborating with industry partners, they aim to create an AI decision support tool tailored for mapping risk and social value in healthcare projects.
A £1.2m AI research project, funded by UK Research and Innovation involving Birmingham City University, Leeds Beckett University, and London South Bank University, aims to redefine cost planning and management in construction.
Meanwhile, at Loughborough University, CIOB members are advancing an AI tool to detect cracks in reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC). Trained with over 85,000 images, including 1,800 of RAAC, the tool achieves an impressive accuracy rate of 95.8%. Its potential applications extend to improving survey processes within NHS trusts and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards such as the Building Safety Act.
Government backing
The Government's Infrastructure and Projects Authority introduced a new framework in March to facilitate collaboration between departments and contractors in utilising AI. The framework suggests leveraging various project-related data to enhance efficiency. However, it cautions about the potential lack of accountability when AI systems make decisions independently. Advising continuous monitoring as technology evolves and new applications emerge. The report underscores the Government's goal of using project data to automate tasks, predict performance, and improve decision-making in projects.
Industry opinion
In 2023, as part of Building’s annual Top 150 Consultants survey, the industry’s largest consultants were asked their views. Of 125 respondents, 75% said they thought AI and machine learning would be ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important to the transformation of their businesses over the next 10 years.
When asked which business areas they thought AI and machine learning will have most impact, responses revolved around five key areas of impact – design, bid writing/bidding, automation of tasks/efficiency, surveying, and data gathering and analysis.
So, the big question. Will AI replace design engineers?
While the integration of AI undoubtedly impacts the landscape of design engineering, we’re all aware that it doesn’t mean our jobs are under threat. Rather, AI is likely to augment and enhance our work as design engineers, enabling us to work more efficiently and effectively. By leveraging AI-driven tools and algorithms, we can delve deeper into complex problem-solving, iterate designs more rapidly, and explore innovative solutions with enhanced precision. AI should be embraced as a powerful ally, empowering us to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity in our field.
In summary, while the road to AI integration in construction is fraught with challenges, the potential benefits make it a compelling path forward. As the industry continues to evolve, successful adoption of AI will likely become a distinguishing factor between leaders and laggards in this competitive field.