How AI In Construction Is Changing The Industry
How will AI/VR affect job roles in the next 10 years?
It seems all the discussions about AI and VR seem to be at the forefront of most conversations globally, not just in construction. But with construction being one of the biggest industries in the UK, making up approximately 6.4% of GDP, it is clear that some important changes to job roles will be coming over the next ten years. Within the industry, there have already been some significant changes to roles across the industry with the widespread implementation of AI and VR already taking place.
So, in terms of job loss to AI the construction industry is pretty safe for the next 10 years with only 4% expecting to lose their job to AI compared with 25% in other industries. In construction, AI and VR are unlikely to take people’s jobs but will be used to enhance work and increase efficiency through various means.
So how is AI in construction being used?
Project planning – Providing valuable insights into potential risks and challenges, AI has already started revolutionising the construction project planning process. By processing vast amounts of data, AI software can make predictions about how a project will progress. This enables the optimisation of schedules and budgets like never before.
Enhanced Safety – Paramount to any construction project, is safety. AI has the ability to recognise potential safety hazards in the form of drones. These drones can identify hazards such as faulty scaffolding, monitor worker behaviour and flag anything unsafe.
Increased Efficiency – The heavy machinery and other equipment can be monitored using AI. This gives insights into how it can be used more efficiently including power saving, downtime reduction and incorrect use.
Improved Quality Control – Quality control can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Looking for potential defects and weaknesses or the quality of materials being used, AI can be used to streamline this process and reduce the time and costs incurred by the process. This can be done early in the design process and can reduce delays and costs incurred late in the construction process.
AR and VR use in construction
Improved Accuracy and Precision – Using AR, planners can visualise construction plans in real time on the actual construction site. This means they can see the plans like never before and make changes based on what they see. This increases efficiency and minimises costly delays to the project.
Safety and Training – Using VR in safety training enables workers to visualise and actively deal with a situation in a virtual safety training environment. This better prepares your workforce for unexpected hazards, reducing the potential risk of accidents and injuries on-site.
Enhanced Communication and Collaboration – VR can enhance collaboration and communication for construction professionals across teams. Being able to more accurately visualise designs means less room for error, improving communication and efficiency across the team.
Will AI ever take over?
Even with advanced 3D printing and other auto-CAM processes, AI will never be able to lay the brick it prints. AI needs to be used in conjunction with people to work. The benefits are purely on an enhancement basis and not a full-scale construction revolution.
The advancement of these technologies presents a huge opportunity to level up their staff abilities with AI training and development. A workforce using AI is more efficient than one without.
Want to read more? Heres our bog about the skills shortage facing the UK.