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Revolutionizing project management
Usman is also aware of the challenges facing the construction industry , particularly when it comes to environmental sustainability . Quoting data from the World Green Building Council , he shares the urgent need for waste reduction and lifecycle assessment to mitigate carbon emissions associated with construction activities . “ Approximately 39 percent of the world ’ s total energy-related carbon emissions stem from buildings , with around 11 percent of that falling under the category of Scope 3 emissions . Predominantly originating from the extraction , manufacture , delivery , installation and disposal of construction materials , these emissions raise a significant environmental challenge ,” he says , advocating for a holistic approach to sustainability .
To combat these challenges , Usman highlights : “ We ’ ve got to change how the construction industry thinks . Instead of demolishing , for instance , let ’ s look at buildings through their whole life ; what can be reused or repurposed ? What ’ s more , going digital in construction is one way to help .
“ Digitization will play a significant role in decarbonization . It ’ s not just about saving trees by cutting down on paper - although that ’ s tremendously important and helpful . It ’ s also about making teams more efficient and projects faster . Digital tools help us keep an eye on energy usage throughout the project lifecycle . One of our clients mentioned that Bluebeam has eliminated printing paper completely , which they believe is equivalent to several thousand trees . Digitization is going to play a pivotal role in reducing rework and waste , which will improve the industry ’ s sustainability posture significantly .”
It is important to note that while the tech evolution has made impressive strides , there are aspects that can always be improved , and Usman ’ s key concerns regarding its dependability is threefold . “ It ’ s important when selecting the right AI applications , programs or platforms that AEC firms carefully consider three criteria to determine feasibility . First , these programs must address a specific pain point that provides a tangible competitive advantage . It ’ s all about having a well-defined purpose and a strategic approach to leveraging AI .
“ Building on the first point , a crucial aspect is understanding the required data to effectively tackle the identified problem . This involves considerations of data availability , privacy , compatibility , and the rights to use the data . And third , organizations need to carefully plan for implementation and adoption . Many AI projects falter due to a lack of support from the field and inadequate change management . It ’ s important to select opportunities that can be successfully carried out , considering organizational culture , change management and on-the-ground realities .”
That said , he is optimistic that the benefits vastly outweigh the negatives . Looking to the future , Usman predicts a shift in the role of AI within construction . He says , “ AI is poised to enhance project completion by adding to labor force productivity and reducing waste and rework , thereby lowering costs .” With the emergence of generative AI and advanced data analytics , Usman expects many applications that will revolutionize project management and decision-making . “ AI can help us to bring order and clarity back to project execution in a time where projects are becoming more complex , and deadlines are getting shorter .
“ Besides that , I anticipate new use cases to solve jobsite pain points such as getting information from sites through sensors , cameras and other IoT devices . Collaboration across the value chain and limited on-site visibility are two major inefficiencies in the construction space . AI use cases will focus on those in 2024 and beyond , and I anticipate seeing even more applications emerge .”
In addressing concerns surrounding AI ethics and regulation , Usman also
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