Use of AI on construction sites more common than futuristic

A lot of us think of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in terms of what bots like ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini can do for us. Makes sense because that is the closest thing to you and I as individuals when we are looking for knowledge. For example, what's a fun event for 40-somethings next weekend, and the bots provide immediate answers. However, artificial intelligence is widely used without asking specific questions. Only then is it really about intelligence. In the construction industry, these developments are rocketing. 

Mimicking human intelligence 

"Mimicking human intelligence with machines so that computers can perceive, learn, reason and decide for themselves," is what it is essentially about. Self-learning computers that make decisions based on data, learn from them and make improvements. 

Even before a shovel of sand is moved 

In construction, the use of AI is increasing very rapidly. It makes sense, because based on building codes, design ideas and location data, AI now provides construction drawings. And not only that. The system also provides information about any problems in the initial plans and suggests adjustments and improvements. All before even a shovel of sand has been moved. If the project is in full swing, AI automatically directs BIM models, smart cameras and drones monitor the construction site and provide information about the project's progress. 

So how does that work? 

Imagine: the construction drone feeds your AI dashboard with information that due to weather conditions yesterday, the concrete that was poured at the time was not dried enough to continue construction safely. What happens then: 

• AI indicates when construction can resume. This information is based on the degree of drying at that moment, the weather forecast and other circumstances. 

• AI continues to monitor the situation in real time and provide advice. 

• AI will therefore ensure that schedules for personnel are adjusted and communicated. That way, no one is on the construction site unnecessarily. 

• AI ensures that work that should have been done next is postponed. That way there is no material congestion on the construction site. 

Another example: The AI drone detects that in a certain part of the project the sewer line is laid 3 cm lower than indicated in the BIM model. 

• The drone gives an alert to the BIM model. 

• Data are being compared. 

• Responsible persons are automatically informed. 

• The AI system recommends solutions. 

A small picture of how AI makes for an efficient construction process and this far from all that is done. Of course, humans can do this too. After all, construction has been going on for centuries. It is simply that AI systems are faster, more efficient and less prone to error. Thereby, within such a project, lessons are also learned for the future. New projects often start with the knowledge gained in previous projects. 

Data is King 

All data flows - and there are soon hundreds of them within such a project - come together in the BIM model where the status of the project can be indicated exactly. At the end of the day, all stake-holders receive a report with that status and a prediction as to whether everything is feasible within the planned deadlines. 

At the same time, it is also true that AI does not think for itself. Nor is it autonomously aware, as humans are. AI is a collection of mathematical models and smart algorithms that are super good at analyzing data and recognizing patterns and drawing conclusions from them. We humans need to take full advantage of that appropriately and take advantage of what AI offers on the construction site.