modern servant
So what does the use of AI look like in a practical industry like construction?
According to Therese, this could look like a builder inputting the entire building plan into an AI tool, adding local DA requirements and state building codes, and asking the tool to identify mistakes. In this particular example, the AI tool identified that the bathroom wall was overhanging by 20 millimeters, saving the builder three months and avoiding a harsh council rejection.
Contractors can use AI to process emails to identify what needs action or flag weather conditions before delivery.
It can also be something like an apprenticeship instructional video or flowchart that details things like what to do if the studs are in the way, and what to do if the studs are not in the way.
“The whole point of AI is that if you do something multiple times, the AI should do it for you,” Therese says. “Anything you do regularly is a repeatable task, and you can teach agents to do repeatable tasks.”
language barrier
Understanding the language around AI can be half the battle.
“AI Tools” are software applications that utilize machine learning, such as ChatGPT. By definition, they are designed to automate, scale, and solve complex tasks, but they require human input and are typically used for a single, independent result.
On the other hand, “AI agents” are autonomous. Without human input, they set goals, chain tasks, and act independently. An example of an AI agent at work might be “looking at tomorrow’s work and expected weather, identifying potential delays, reallocating resources across jobs, and sending updates to everyone affected.”
In other words, AI, whether a tool or an agent, can and should make life better.
“If it gives you back an hour of your day that you might have to spend every night on your kitchen bench doing estimating and paperwork, is it worth it?” Therese asks. “What does an hour mean to you as a builder? Does it mean you can go to your kid’s soccer game, or does it mean you can have a real conversation with your partner while your kids are asleep?”
