_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Innovation
bring about a paradigm shift , revolutionizing every aspect , from cost estimation and risk management to logistics planning and design .
Predictability and proactiveness are a dream in construction where much of the time we are highly reactive to the situations that arise . AI , with its ability to learn from historical data and predict future trends , brings unparalleled insights to the table . Proactiveness , on the other hand , is all about foreseeing and mitigating potential issues before they become significant problems . Here , too , AI shines , using its predictive nature to identify potential bottlenecks and inefficiencies , and allowing construction managers to be proactive in their problem-solving .
But , it ’ s not just data that AI thrives upon . One of the most vital and underestimated components of this transformation is the value of experience . Consider the functioning of your favorite mapping apps . These platforms initially relied on static data to suggest routes . Today , they bank on real-time information and user experiences to predict traffic congestion , suggest alternative paths , and estimate delays due to unpredictable factors like accidents or weather . This is the power of merging data with experience – a model that the construction industry can greatly benefit from .
Within the realm of construction , each architect , engineer , program manager , and site supervisor hold a plethora of experiences . From understanding the nuances of materials to predicting onground challenges , their empirical knowledge is invaluable , but traditionally this wealth of knowledge has been passed down organically and haphazardly , without a structured platform . AI can revolutionize this by learning from these individual experiences , ensuring that a company ’ s collective knowledge isn ’ t siloed , but shared .
It ’ s not just about knowing how to build ; it ’ s about understanding the best ways to build based on prior experiences . Research from McKinsey suggests that AI can boost construction sector productivity by as much as 15 percent . These tools , when integrated into daily operations , can deliver critical information to the right people at pivotal moments , enhancing efficiency and reducing costly errors . Imagine a future where a construction company , before starting a skyscraper in a new city , can access datadriven insights from past projects , factoring in local climate , labor trends , and material availability . AI-driven predictive models , trained on both data and human experience , can guide the company on potential challenges and solutions .
The construction industry is at a crossroads . Companies can either embrace AI , merging their vast reservoirs of experience and data to shape the future , or they can continue with the status quo , missing out on the massive efficiencies AI promises , and the value it can help create . ■
Joel Hutchines www . slate . ai
Joel is a leader within an emerging approach to the construction industry . With his unique and diverse experience in carpentry , construction and manufacturing management , architecture , digital fabrication and business management , Joel is able to blend the traditions of construction with the latest techniques in digital design and fabrication . Following a successful tenure as Co-founder of Studio Workshop , he moved his focus to the future of the construction industry , adopting automation and the latest technology to explore efficient methods of integrating all stages of the design and construction process as Founder and CEO of Splash Modular .
By way of acquisition , Joel has now joined Slate Technologies Inc . As CPO , Joel works closely with a team that specializes in AI and machine learning in construction .
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