The impact of AI on the construction industry? challenges/opportunities?
Ever thought about the impact of AI on the construction industry? Are you aware of the potential challenges/opportunities which may arise? With AI becoming a growing trend, increasingly popular. It is important companies know about the effects this may have, whether positive or negative, now or in the long-term future.
We attended a Build-In Digital Micro-Conference titled ‘The Future of AI Integration in Construction’ to find out more! A big thank you to Build in Digital for hosting.
So what is AI, and what impact does it have?
Ever seen the chatbot on your web browser, known as Co-Pilot? Well, that is an example of AI. AI refers to artificial intelligence, a performing task which typically requires human intelligence.
With AI becoming more prevalent, what are the benefits?
Positive effects of AI on the built environment include the opportunity for cutting-edge technology. Empowering a company to push boundaries of creativity & efficiency. AI allows for more of a out of the box way of thinking, as you can brainstorm ideas just like you would with a thesaurus.
AI also has the potential to play a crucial role in predictive maintenance, enabling us to identify potential issues with machinery and equipment before the project even started. Here is a list of further benefits of AI:
AI can analyse large amounts of data to optimise structural designs, leading to more efficient and cost-effective solutions, taking less time. AI can analyse this data faster than a member of staff, which saves time and costs also.
AI also has the potential to improve the safety of our designs. This is because AI can actually predict the structural failures and maintenance needs of a project before they arise.
AI can also be used in the industry to mitigate risks associated with structural failures. This is due to Automation: routine tasks such as drafting and calculations which can be automated, supporting the freeing up of engineers to focus on more complex and creative aspects of projects.
Faster project deliver - AI can significantly reduce the time required to complete projects, leading to faster delivery, less workload, lower costs. In turn leading to more satisfied and therefore loyal customers who are likely to return.
However, AI does come with the risk of safety concerns and data breaches, which is a threat to important and confidential business data. Another factor which often gets missed is the potential for the manipulation of data, this is known as data poisoning.
Data poisoning refers to the deliberate change in code behind the algorithm inputted which allows AI to give you the correct answer, with the goal to present biased information. Data poisoning injects false information into the training dataset.
Take the calculator analoygy, if you input a calculation such as 11+12-3 the calculator will provide you with your answer, but if this data has been poisoned then the model may present incorrect patterns and therefore the incorrect answer to the calculation.
Are we sure what AI says is correct?
Whilst AI does provide the opportunity for all of the positive listed above, AI systems rely heavily on the quality and quantity of data available. Poor data can lead to inaccurate predictions and inaccurate designs. The data which may be received by your business may not necessarily be accurate and therefore, is important to be fact checked. It is also important to ensure that personal data remains confidential and safe. With AI comes the risk of security breaches and data theft.
What role do you see AI in shaping the future of construction?