AI is full of promise in the construction industry, but right now, it’s still in a bit of a “wild west” state. The main reason behind a lot of confusion is that AI is an umbrella term for many different technologies, and people often mix them up. AI can mean intelligent automation, robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, and much more. All of these have their own use cases.

Based on our recent talk at the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, “Think Outside the Bot”, let’s try to clarify some of this confusion, revisit some of the things we talked about during that chat, and give small and mid-sized construction companies a look at the future of AI in the construction industry.

How AI is changing the construction industry

Construction has often been slow to adopt new technology, but it wasn’t just about reluctance or an unwillingness to innovate. The construction industry was high risk by nature, and any new technology needed to prove its worth before it could be reliably deployed in the field. Add to this the fact that traditional methods have dominated the industry for decades, and the mindset often was, “If it isn’t broken, why fix it?”

But times are changing fast. As technology becomes a bigger part of every layer of the construction industry, AI is transforming every layer of the industry, which includes:

• Project Planning
• Safety Monitoring
• Contract Management

Project Planning

Few things are as challenging for contractors as missed deadlines, especially when unexpected cost overruns, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions threaten to derail projects. The real problem is that most of these issues are incredibly hard to predict and even tougher to manage when they do occur. Even experienced project managers can find it challenging to stay on top of everything. That’s where AI comes in.

• Data-Driven Predictions
  A recent McKinsey study estimates that AI could enhance construction productivity by up to 20% through improved project planning and resource management. AI-powered planning tools can analyze years of project data to spot patterns that even experienced employees might miss. As a result, these tools can streamline project management and identify where things could go wrong before they actually do.
• Risk Identification
  AI tools can also analyze complex project timelines, material costs, and historical data to forecast delays or potential bottlenecks. Maybe a project is set to run into bad weather next month, or a critical material delivery might be delayed based on historical patterns. AI can flag these risks early on, giving project managers a chance to adjust things.
• Administrative Efficiency
  Moreover, AI can help cut down on the mountain of paperwork and administrative work that often bogs down construction projects. By automating repetitive tasks like data entry, document management, and expense tracking, AI frees up time for project managers and teams to focus on higher-value work.

Safety Monitoring

Although safety has always been a top priority on construction sites, even the most cautious teams sometimes miss potential hazards in the midst of a busy worksite. With heavy machinery, complex environments, and constantly moving workers, accidents can happen quickly, often before anyone realizes there’s a problem. Keeping an eye on every corner of a site, especially large and complex ones, is a challenge even for the most diligent safety supervisors.

• Real-Time Hazard Detection
  AI-powered cameras tackle this challenge by leveraging computer-aided vision. What once demanded continuous manual observation can now be managed automatically. For example, AI can monitor worksites in real time, spotting hazards like spills, unsafe practices, or equipment malfunctions, and instantly alert supervisors. This immediate response allows teams to address problems quickly and prevent accidents.
• Proactive Safety Measures
  Many traditional safety measures in the construction industry are reactive, they help reduce the risk and severity of injuries but often come into play after incidents occur. AI can bridge this gap, making safety measures proactive rather than reactive. Smart helmets, vests and predictive maintenance are already being deployed . In fact, according to America’s National Safety Council, AI-powered technologies can reduce construction accidents by as much as 20%. By identifying risks before they escalate, AI can help nip safety issues in the bud.
• Innovative Safety Solutions
  Some companies are taking AI a step further with innovative solutions. For instance, tools like SmartTagIt analyze supervisor speeches and transform meeting transcripts into visual safety reports. This process turns safety conversations into actionable insights and reinforces safety protocols in employees’ everyday workflows. These innovative solutions are improving construction safety in ways that wasn’t just possible earlier.

Contract Management

As important as they are, managing contracts is often a tedious and painful process. While we’re still a long way from handing this task entirely to AI, it can still play a powerful role in contract management.

• Automated drafting
  For construction firms dealing with high contract volumes, AI tools can help generate and customize contract templates by pulling in predefined clauses and adjusting terms based on project requirements. However, human oversight is crucial because contracts require deep contextual, intentional, and legal understanding and these are areas where AI is still developing and prone to errors.
• Efficient Document Review
  AI’s speed and analysis can help you quicken up the tedious document review process. It can quickly review large contracts, flagging key clauses, obligations, and risks. This saves legal teams significant time and reduces the risk of manual errors. What once took hours or even days of manual review can now be done in just a few hours.
• Streamlined Organization
  Apart from speeding up the review process, it can also help with organizing. AI can also categorize contracts by type, client, or project, streamlining document tracking throughout their lifecycle. With the tedious part of contract management out of the way, your team can focus on getting the work done.

Conquer the AI Learning Curve with Ohio’s Trusted Expert

For small and mid-sized construction companies, the message is simple: While AI is often heralded for its transformative potential, it’s not about transforming your business overnight but about gradually working AI into your workflows. What might seem like small AI-driven changes today can lead to significant productivity gains over time.

The Astute Technology Management team has a long track record of helping businesses in Columbus and Cincinnati adopt new technologies like artificial intelligence. If your businesses wants to embrace AI while mitigating the cybersecurity and compliance threats it presents, contact us anytime at [email protected] or (614) 389-4102. We look forward to speaking with you!