Tip of the spear. Cutting edge. Vanguard. These are not words anyone would associate with the construction industry. And when it comes to the nascent technology of artificial intelligence, the construction industry is right near the bottom for both current and future AI adoption.
According to a McKinsey & Company report, only the travel and tourism and professional services sectors have a lower percentage of firms adopting one or more AI technologies at scale or in a core part of their business. When it comes to the average estimated percentage change in AI spending over the next three years, it only gets worse for the construction industry: it’s dead last.
Being last isn’t always such a bad thing, however. Just like how the youngest child gets to watch their older siblings grow up and learn from their mistakes and capitalize on their successes, the construction industry can look at how other industries are leveraging AI, what works and what doesn’t, and take the fast-track to AI dominance.
The McKinsey report identified five current AI applications being used by other industries that could cause an immediate impact in the construction sector:
• Transportation route optimization algorithms for project planning optimization
• Pharmaceutical outcomes prediction for constructability issues
• Retail supply chain optimization for materials and inventory management
• Robotics for modular or prefabrication construction and 3D printing
• Healthcare image recognition for risk and safety management.
In each of these instances, the construction sector would benefit from the work other industries and sectors are putting in to develop the technology. All construction firms would have to do is swoop in and perfect the technology for their own purposes—easier said than done, but still a better option than starting from scratch.
Related Stories
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Jun 23, 2015
Emerging technology reinvents construction principals
Gilbane discovered the anecdotal side of laser scanning pales in comparison to the dramatic ROI story.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 23, 2015
A steel bridge in Amsterdam will be 3D printed
To complete the bridge, multi-axis industrial robots will be fitted with 3D printing tools and controlled using custom software that enables the robots to print metals, plastics, and combinations of materials.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 21, 2015
11 tips for mastering 3D printing in the AEC world
Early adopters provide first-hand advice on the trials and tribulations of marrying 3D printing with the science of building technology.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 16, 2015
What’s next for 3D printing in design and construction?
The 3D printer industry keeps making strides in technology and affordability. Machines can now print with all sorts of powderized materials, from concrete to chocolate.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 15, 2015
Arup report predicts future of manufacturing
Human-robot collaboration, self-cleaning and self-healing materials, mass customization, and 3D printing will herald a new "golden age" of production.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 14, 2015
Deep data: How greater intelligence can lead to better buildings
The buzzword may be “Big Data,” but the reality is that Building Teams need to burrow deep into those huge datasets in the course of designing and building new facilities. Much of the information is free. You just need to dig for it.
Smart Buildings | Jun 11, 2015
Google launches company to improve city living
The search engine giant is yet again diversifying its products. Google has co-created a startup, called Sidewalk Labs, that will focus on “developing innovative technologies to improve cities.”
Seismic Design | Jun 9, 2015
First building-specific earthquake warning system installed in North Portland, Ore.
The ShakeAlarm system recognizes and quantifies the faster but lower-energy seismic P-wave, which is the precursor to the more damaging S-wave.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 8, 2015
Ready for takeoff: Drones await clearance for job site flights
The fog is finally lifting on who will be allowed to pilot unmanned aerial vehicles.
Green | Jun 8, 2015
Diamond Schmitt Architects creates tool to compare energy use data across building types
The firm's new ecoMetrics tool allows for a comprehensive analysis of data from energy simulation models across a wide range of the company’s building types.
