Robot dogs, the validity of Skynet, and the practical application of artificial intelligence were all discussed at the breakfast event on May 24th. Morgan Syndall Construction and Place Northwest.
It was held at the Manufacturing Technology Center in Liverpool. AI in the Built Environment: Foe or Friend? We focused on the current state of AI, what its future applications might look like, and how the real estate industry can safely and ethically incorporate this technology.
find the dog
Attendees got an up-close and personal look at MTC’s Spot, Boston Dynamics’ revolutionary agile robot. MTC Graduate Research Engineer Tom Reynolds showcased Spot’s ability to navigate space with personality and explained how robots could be used in real life.
Reynolds said the Spot is essentially a “glory pack donkey” that can carry 14 kilograms of equipment. Most of what MTC has experimented with so far has used Spot as an inspection tool, equipping robots with acoustic cameras to locate and identify high-pressure leaks, and 360-degree views of their surroundings for visual inspection. It is equipped with a visual camera that can be provided.
“This is a cross-cutting tool,” Reynolds told the audience. “The advantage of Spot is that it can go anywhere a human can go and do things we don’t want to do because it’s too dangerous or we can’t care. That’s the beauty of it. is.”
Spot can explore nuclear facilities containing dangerous levels of radiation, Reynolds explained. You can also perform tasks such as inspecting underground networks.
Practical use of AI
Yazan Kroot A senior research engineer at MTC gave a presentation establishing the foundations of AI. “Artificial intelligence” itself is a difficult term, he told the audience, adding that the definition of AI varies depending on who you ask. Some think it’s just machine learning, while others say it needs an element of robotics.
Qarout provided his definition for today’s discussion. “AI is the simulation of human intelligence using data-driven processes, built with mathematical models and computer science.”
Under this definition, AI includes speech transcription services, image recognition software, machine learning, robotics, predictive analytics, and more. This is an extensive list.
Qarout also discussed some of the ways AI can be used today in the built environment. Visual inspection technology may be used in combination with drones to inspect high-rise buildings. AI can also be used to detect accidents in the field and his PPE, helping to report hazards early.
It will also help with building design optimization, energy consumption forecasting and modeling, he said.
Qarout emphasized the rapidly changing nature of AI and the need for the industry to stay abreast of the latest advances.
“Since the beginning of the year, we have witnessed a revolution and breakthroughs in AI that are changing the landscape,” he said.
Tools for sustainability
Armed with the basics of AI, the audience was ready for the panel discussion. A panel discussion delved deeper into the role of AI in helping achieve sustainability goals and the relationship between the real estate industry and technology.
That was the realm of Net Zero’s ambition. Steve Nesbitt A chief engineer at the Manufacturing Technology Center felt that AI would have the greatest impact on the built environment.
He cites the technology’s skill in energy forecasting, which it does by analyzing large data sets such as past weather patterns and energy consumption related to the current construction of buildings.
“Our trajectory of reaching net zero by 2050 is clearly off at the moment,” said Nesbitt. “In the UK, the built environment accounts for around 45% of our business emissions, and we have a big role to play in achieving net zero obligations.
“AI uses scenario-based analysis to determine where the greatest impact and greatest benefit will be, and what changes are mandatory and need to be policy rather than an overall good thing. It will inform us by understanding the
Owen Ashton Morgan Shindal’s regional digital construction manager agreed with Nesbitt that AI could make a big difference in terms of sustainability. Ashton has explored the potential of technology to minimize the waste generated.
“If you look at a typical project, about 2% of the cost is design, 18% is built, and 80% is in use,” says Ashton. He stressed that the industry needs to focus on where it will be hit hardest, in this case, building operations.
“If you add design elements and actually use them, you can spend 50% more on design and still spend 3%. Think about how big an impact you can make.”
Ethics of AI
From a sustainability perspective, the ethical use of AI is clear, but what are the ethics behind the use of AI itself?
Caro Ames Human involvement is key, said the head of data science strategy at multidisciplinary consulting firm Arup.
“It is very important to recognize that we operate in a highly regulated and highly technological environment,” she said.
“People often talk about AI as if humans were going to come and replace people’s jobs and jobs,” she explained.
“However, I believe that a forward path needs to be centered around the development and use of so-called ‘human-participation’ solutions in order for us to be able to use it safely and adopt it. . ‘ said Ames. continued.
“This suggests that AI could potentially help you do your job better, or help you get your job done in an easier or more cost-effective way.” It’s a concept, but we also have to acknowledge that you’re still taking overall responsibility for your work.” Algorithms cannot be considered alone. No algorithm is perfect. ”
Another ethical issue revolves around transparency, he said. Professor Samia Nefti-Meziani, Professor of Robotics and AI at the University of Birmingham.
She said it’s important for people to know what data AI is extracting from and what algorithms it uses to make decisions. If the process is not transparent, it becomes difficult for human validation and verification.
“If regulators don’t have access to the ‘black box,’ they can’t really see what the real algorithms are doing, so they can’t assign safety parameters,” she said. “Until this is resolved, we will always have AI problems.”
Panelists agreed that government regulatory and safety frameworks are important in the future of AI, but Ashton said that would be difficult given the speed at which AI is advancing. “We need to think about frameworks that are larger and more agile,” he said.
too late?
Regarding being agile, some of the panelists felt that the built environment was slow to explore the possibilities of AI.
Part of the reason, Ames argued, was a knowledge gap.
“We will not invest until people have the skills and data availability and capabilities to actually use AI. [that is when]Given the risks involved with the type of work we do, we really need to push for full integration…” she said.
Nefti-Meziani said the integration of AI across different business sectors will require more government involvement.
“Governments need to show leadership and decide that long-term strategies are needed to ensure the adoption of AI and robotics in each sector,” she said.
dystopian future
When asked if Terminator villain Skynet was lurking in the near future, the panelists agreed that such an “evil” AI wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
“The fear is that AI-powered technologies could learn faster, outperform us, and displace us in the species hierarchy and influence on the planet. I think it’s about that,” said Nesbitt. He continued that while it is clear that AI can do well in the future, he does not believe it will replace humans.
“We have to realize that we all have supercomputers,” he said, referring to the human brain.
“When we network, nothing is more powerful… If we keep working together, we won’t need an AI super-being, so to speak. It just becomes a usable toolset, our desire.”
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Yazan Qarout, Manufacturing Technology Center
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