Arkansas construction leaders see artificial intelligence (AI) as another tool in their toolbox.
As data becomes more pervasive, they expect its use to expand and transform the industry over the next five to ten years. But they are cautiously optimistic about AI adoption, and they are testing to ensure accuracy.
According to Vantage Market Research, the global market value of AI in construction is expected to grow from $594.6 million in 2022 to $4.9 billion in 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2030. is 35.2%.
Jon Pahl, director of corporate innovation at Nabholz Construction, said the company has been testing AI tools over the past 12 to 18 months. This research primarily looks at data protocols to enable workers to trust the information that is fed into and developed by AI tools.
“We are at the beginning of the journey, figuring out what the market as a whole can do for us,” Pearl said. “Construction technology is currently growing at a furious pace. We are watching closely and trying to separate real solutions from shiny objects.”
Pearl sees AI as a solution as companies decide how best to use it to reduce waste, improve decision-making and save time.
“Machine learning is only as good as the data you give it to learn from,” he said. “As an industry, before we can fully appreciate the benefits of machine learning, we need to do a few things to make sure the data is clean, trustworthy, and sort of centrally organized in a warehouse. I need to do some work.”
Navholz tests AI tools before building. This may include developing planning options for the site, modeling sequences and workflows within a schedule, finding the best schedule his solution, and digitally documenting project progress.
“With enough images, we can provide algorithms that help us understand progress and completion rates,” he said. “There are even tools that help walk the scene and scan photos for safety issues that the human eye may have missed.”
Pearl said Navholz has been collecting data for a long time and has become more intentional about applying the data to get the most out of AI tools.
New roles have emerged thanks to AI tools. He said Navholz has an application analyst who is a computer programmer.
“Five, 10, 15 years ago, you would never have dreamed of having a computer programmer on the staff of a construction company,” says Pearl. “But they are essential for tying data sources together and ensuring that data flows correctly in the backend. It’s the result.”
In addition to application analysts, the company has a growing staff of technology applicators who help deploy new field technologies such as layout and image capture tools. He added that CraneView, a multi-purpose device, was installed on his crane tower overlooking the Bentonville work site to capture data that could be viewed by the technical team.
rapid emergence
“This AI train is entering the station very quickly,” said Derek Alley, CEO of VCC Construction. “The rapid expansion of tools and tool capabilities is exciting and somewhat overwhelming.”
In mid-2022, the VCC established a task force to closely monitor AI development. Ally said the company is working to understand how his AI tools can be best applied. He hopes that AI tools will be deployed in every department and industry to improve efficiency and processes, including better flow and schedule building.
“These things are very important in construction,” he said. “We are dealing with a large logistics industry. We are dealing with a limited workforce, and the industry has suffered from labor shortages for decades.”
DigiBuild recently used AI chatbot ChatGPT to source material for VCC. Alley said DigiBuild uses a blockchain-based procurement model that VCC has been developing in collaboration with DigiBuild.
Except for third-party use, VCC fed data to an AI chatbot to create a quick list in seconds instead of project engineers and staff reading drawings and specifications and manually building the list.
Anxiety of AI
Pearl joked that one of the challenges to adopting AI technology is the fear that robots will take over the world.
“We have been a very labor-intensive industry for centuries, and craftsmen take great pride in the work they create,” he said. “And the idea that robots will emerge and take on those roles is terrifying to many. Replenishing power, for example, with robotics, we may be able to keep workers out of danger doing high-risk tasks.”
Using machines to handle low-value or repetitive tasks could help replenish the workforce in a tight labor market, he said. The technique could also be used for repetitive tasks that require high muscle tension. As a result, employees can focus on higher-value tasks.
Jordan Ligon, business development manager at CR Crawford Construction, sees the potential safety and efficiency benefits of AI as the company seeks ways to mitigate safety concerns and rising labor costs. pointed out about Still, he said construction relies on human judgment and doesn’t believe AI can replace it.
“Technology, especially AI, has been slower to penetrate the construction industry than other technologies,” says Ligon. “There are too many liability and safety concerns to rely solely on robots and automated machines to take over projects. We see definite potential benefits in safety and quality control.”
Asked if technology will take over the world, Pearl said people have historically been innovative and found tools to help them get the job done. Defining technology as the tools that help people do their jobs, he expects technology to continue to grow. He does not foresee a time when humans will do no work at all and machines will do all the work.
“I don’t think it will take the world by storm,” Alley said. “He’s one of the many tools he’s found that using this tool can make the world a better place. It’s one of the advancements he thinks will be another tool that sticks in his mind.” .”
But training and onboarding new technologies will be difficult, “especially if technology like this is still in some people’s minds, it’s like science fiction,” he says. . “It’s becoming a reality every day.”
Broad applications of AI
Gene Kitsmiller, director of virtual design and construction at Baldwin & Shell Construction, has used AI to help with day-to-day tasks such as software integration. The first time he used his AI-driven design software was long before he started using it two years ago. 3D design software can automatically place items such as electrical outlets based on code.
Project manager Brett Meek said Baldwin & Shell used ChatGPT to create a safety topic list for safety meetings with subcontractors. Meek recently used ChatGPT to gather information about building codes. He added that when using AI tools such as ChatGPT, they certify their output to ensure accuracy.
Meeke and Kitzmiller also highlighted the company’s use of AI-powered Dusty Robotics robots in the field. Robots print building layouts onto concrete slabs like lines of autonomous chalk. They likened it to a combat robot combined with a printer.
The Arkansas Construction Education Foundation will launch a Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship program this fall, allowing contractors and their employees to use AI simulators for heavy equipment training. ACEF Vice President Zak Sloan said the nonprofit received nearly $500,000 in state grants to purchase four Caterpillar simulators and train them to operate excavators and bulldozers. . A grant from the Arkansas Department of Skills Development also allowed the nonprofit to buy him four virtual reality headsets with computers for training.
Sloan predicts that heavy equipment will be remotely controlled in five to 10 years. He said this would be more common in hazardous work environments such as mines.
“Driving that taxi with no one in it puts someone out of danger completely,” he said. “I’m very excited. I think it will only continue to grow.”
