b'NEW TECHNOLOGYusers to search for key information andComputer vision: Traditional jobsiteautomatic clash detection, interactive receive instant answers to cameras capture video and pictures butprogress tracking, advanced resource their questions.cannot technically understand what theytracking and material planning, among see. When augmented with AI, however,other functions. Dark data retrieval: AI enablesthose same camera systems can assess contractors to locate, merge and analyzewhat they see in real time and respondAI-enabled BIM models enable data from sources throughout anappropriately. These eyes in the skycontractors and other construction organizationsome of which may becan alert teams to potential safety orprofessionals to monitor projects in lost or unnoticed without security risks as they develop, helpreal time, adds Chaparala. Data used such capabilities.teams better manage material usage,from these models can help analyze or provide up-to-the-minute data onmaintenance needs and improve the Theres this idea that 95 per cent ofjobsite activities to support scheduling,efficiency and longevity of the building. construction data is locked up in somebudgeting and other key functions.PDF somewhere. This is called darkPOWERING THE HYBRID data, and what AI can do is go throughNatural Language Processing (NLP): AIWORKFORCEall that dark data and extract informationcan enable computers to understandUnderstandably, the influx of AI from it, explains Hugh Seaton, techand mimic human speech and text.technologies in construction has workers industry veteran and CEO of The Link.Consider how the Amazon Alexa, Googleanxious about their roles. Yet, while it For example, contractors can go intoand Siri devices in our homes respondcan be safely said that AI will replace their dark data and say, I want toto voice commands, or how advancedsome tasks that humans have done up be able to look at every RFI and runscanners not only identify words on auntil now, it is more likely that these analyses against them. And instead ofpage but understand what they mean.technologies will support and enhance that being a long and manual process,This technology can be used to supportexisting workforces rather thanthey can use AI to get into those dataand connect workers on the jobsite,replace them. sources and make the process monitor jobsite communicationsmuch easier. process, read and analyzeconstruction documents. Theres a concern that if AI gets too Automated tasks: The constructiongood at what it does, then people process is rife with repetitive,Smarter safety: When combined,lose their jobs, but we dont see that monotonous and time-consuming back- technologies like computer vision,happening any time soon, says Seaton. office tasks. AI can automate those tasksautonomous machines and automatedContractors arent just executing and free up staff to focus their energies,monitoring and reporting systems givetasks from a book; theyre creatively creativity and time on work that bringscontractors the tools and predictivesolving problems all the time, and the more value to their teams. abilities to get ahead of health andskill, experience and considerations safety risks. Moreover, AI can helpgoing into their solutions are way more Smarter equipment: Machinesassemble and analyze project data tosophisticated than anything AI is able to equipped with AI can be programmedhighlight risk areas and create strongerdo now.to perform their tasks autonomouslyhealth and safety programs.and safely while adapting to jobsiteReady or not, the AI revolution is gaining conditions and changes. SuchNext-gen BIM modelling: AI takesspeed. Advantages await companies that equipment can be used to perform Building Information Modelling (BIM)recognize its potential and are open to more complicated, riskier or more another technological leap forward.adopting AI-driven tools that bring value monotonous tasks. Todays AI-enabled BIM models allow forto both their operations and clients.BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 1 202435'