By Claire Wilson, Siteline

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are everywhere, impacting various industries and transforming how we live and work. While the construction industry has been slower to adopt AI than other sectors, it’s still making progress toward leveraging the benefits of this transformative technology.

But to unlock AI’s full potential, our industry must overcome some significant hurdles. One of the main challenges is dispelling the doubts and misconceptions about AI’s impact on the workforce—particularly the fear that it may devalue or replace human efforts. This will require us to find the right balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and preserving the human touch.

The Power of AI in Construction

As one of the largest industries in the world economy, the construction industry is also a notorious digital late bloomer. This isn’t meant as an insult. After all, the industry’s history of human-driven progress spans millennia. However, if we fail to keep up with technological advancements, it will be extremely challenging for us to keep pace with other industries.

Signs of declining productivity are already apparent in our field. According to a 2017 report by McKinsey, labor productivity in construction has only grown an average of 1% per year over the past 20 years. In comparison, labor productivity has grown 2.8% per year for the total world market and 3.6% per year for manufacturing during the same period. Adapting and embracing AI is pivotal for the construction industry to remain competitive globally.

Fortunately, we’re already seeing AI’s impact on the construction industry in many ways, including:

• Increased efficiency and productivity: AI automation of repetitive tasks and data analysis saves time in project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and workflow management. This allows construction professionals to focus on strategic activities, improving productivity and enabling faster project delivery.
• Enhanced safety measures: AI-powered sensors and cameras can continuously monitor construction sites, detecting potential hazards and alerting field teams to take necessary actions to mitigate risks. AI algorithms can also analyze historical data to identify patterns and predict safety issues, enabling proactive accident prevention.
• Quality control: AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data from sensors, cameras, and inspection reports to identify deviations from standards and detect potential defects or structural issues.
• Predictive maintenance: AI enables predictive maintenance by continuously monitoring equipment and infrastructure, predicting when maintenance or repairs are needed. This prevents costly breakdowns and maximizes asset lifespan.

All of these advancements can have a significant financial impact on the construction industry. Worth over $10 trillion annually, the construction sector accounts for 13% of the world’s GDP. However, by embracing digitization, the industry has the potential to increase its market capitalization by $1.6 trillion each year (McKinsey). Adoption isn’t merely beneficial—it’s imperative for sustainable growth.

Preserving the Human Touch

Yes, AI is a remarkable technological achievement. But, the reality is that AI can’t exist without human intervention. While AI excels at processing large volumes of data and identifying patterns, human expertise brings critical thinking, intuition, and contextual understanding to the table. Therefore, those in the industry must understand that future progress is not a matter of AI vs. humans; rather, it’s AI and humans.

“Responsible automation” is a term that highlights how humans and technology can work together. We integrate technology to enhance productivity, efficiency, and safety but we simultaneously prioritize ethical considerations, human oversight, and sustainability. The examples I listed above on current AI use cases in construction are all various forms of responsible automation.

Achieving this blend requires a strategic approach. Construction companies must recognize the specific strengths of AI (e.g., data analysis, risk assessment, and repetitive task automation) while valuing the human skills that contribute to innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Practical Tips for Balancing AI and the Human Touch

So, what are some practical tips you can apply in your organization to ensure you’re not only choosing the right AI solution but also one that helps elevate human influence and involvement? I’ve included a few pointers here to get you started.

Strategic Implementation

Before searching for a technological solution, it is crucial to understand the specific challenges impacting your workforce thoroughly. Take the time to identify areas of friction or inefficiency and use this knowledge to point you in the right direction. This will help you to avoid simply purchasing a solution that claims AI capabilities and instead choose a solution for areas where automation can significantly improve efficiency—without compromising the need for human judgment.

Thorough Research

When considering any type of software for your organization, it’s imperative to do your due diligence. A big part of this is asking intelligent questions to properly evaluate its ability to meet your organization’s needs, support operational workflows, align with ethical considerations, and deliver reliable results.

Some questions you can ask when you’re demoing AI software include:

• Can the AI solution be customized to meet the specific needs and workflows of your construction projects?
• What data do they use, and how do they use it?
• How long do you need to use the product to get accurate data?
• How well does the AI solution align with common construction processes and methodologies?
• What is the pricing model for the AI solution, and are there any hidden costs?

Training and Upskilling

Invest in comprehensive training programs to equip construction professionals with the necessary skills to work alongside AI tools effectively. More often than not, software vendors have various training resources they can provide your team, so be sure to ask for them! These extra steps ensure a smooth transition and help maximize the software’s benefits.

Collaborative Decision-Making

Foster a culture of collaboration where AI is viewed as a valuable assistant rather than a replacement. To do so, encourage open communication around the AI solution(s) your organization implements. Inviting others to the table helps promote joint decision-making, which in turn helps teams understand—and therefore better leverage—the strengths of both AI and the human workforce.

Goal Setting

Set goals for what you want to achieve with AI from the start—and communicate them clearly to your team. These goals might include time savings, cost reduction, error reduction, or improved collaboration. Making the goals specific and measurable provides a clear direction to the team, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding the new technology’s purpose.

Continuous Evaluation

To maximize the impact of AI, it’s crucial to regularly evaluate its performance against the preset goals and be open to adjusting strategies accordingly. Embracing an iterative approach allows for continuous fine-tuning and optimization over time, ensuring that the AI tool remains aligned with your organization’s objectives and delivers the desired results.

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In the constantly evolving field of construction, the future is one where AI and humans coexist synergistically. By recognizing and embracing the unique strengths each brings to the table, the industry can usher in an era of unprecedented innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth. The key lies in viewing AI as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, the invaluable human effort that has propelled our industry since the beginning of time. And ultimately, it’s up to us to determine how we strike the right balance.

About the Author 

Claire Wilson is Head of Construction Solutions at Siteline, the only pay app and lien waiver management software for trade contractors. Previously, Claire was a project manager at Tishman Construction in New York City where she worked on monumental projects including Hudson Yards and JP Morgan’s Corporate Headquarters. She has a BS in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and now serves on the board of the Bay Area Subcontractors Association (BASA).