SUMMARY
Artificial intelligence—like so many of the topics featured at Accelerate Live!—was nothing more than a pipe dream five years ago.
Yet, in just a few short years, AI has shifted from R&D and academia into the marketplace, thanks to several enterprising startups. These firms offer custom and off-the-self solutions for optimizing many of the complex and convoluted processes in commercial design and construction.
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), we hear from two of the earliest adopters of AI-driven processes in commercial construction.
Rick Khan is the Senior Director of Innovation with Mortenson Construction.
Rene Morkos is the CEO of ALICE Technologies, a Stanford University startup that uses AI to optimize construction scheduling.
Rick and Rene speak about Mortensen’s recent pilot of the ALICE platform on construction projects, as well as the construction giant’s ongoing plans for AI.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Ricardo Khan
Senior Director of Innovation, Mortenson Construction
As the Senior Director of Innovation, Rick leads the Mortenson Innovators Program with a goal to inspire, engage and partner with all internal team members in the process of idea incubation, solution validation, and then to commitment and launch of new ways of working. Rick's focus is on Big 'I' Innovation that targets a 10x value creation. Prior to his current role, Rick Led Mortenson's Project Solutions department, focused on operations excellence. Project Solutions supports project teams from concept through closeout by providing expertise in project management, planning & scheduling, virtual design & construction, and innovation services. We have two key areas of focus, enhancing today's processes while creating the future state of construction through research and development.
Rene Morkos
CEO, ALICE Technologies
Rene Morkos' professional experience includes working as a project manager in Afghanistan, underwater construction in Lebanon, automation engineering on a $350 million gas refinery expansion in Abu Dhabi, and Virtual Design and Construction consulting around the world. He completed his PhD in Artificial Intelligence applications for construction as a Charles H. Leavell fellow at Stanford University.
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