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Opinion


ADDRESSING THE SKILLS SHORTAGE: AI CAN TRANSFORM CONSTRUCTION

Amit Puri Head of technical solutions, Autodesk Construction EMEA
25.11.24
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Image: Alexandersikov | Dreamstime.com

With careful deployment, AI technologies can help address construction’s skills
and talent shortage, says Autodesk’s Amit Puri.

AI is set to transform the way the built environment operates. But while
generative AI tools like ChatGPT are relatively new to the scene, other forms of
AI have already been making a significant impact in the construction sector for
some time.

Across the lifecycle of a project or asset, AI is helping industry professionals
with a range of areas – enhancing design, planning, safety, quality,
sustainability and overall productivity. By handling the more monotonous tasks,
the technology allows us to be more productive and creative in our work.

Autodesk’s recent State of Design & Make report found that companies are already
making meaningful progress on their AI adoption journeys, with 47% of industry
professionals citing increased productivity as the top use case for AI. Leaders
predict that generative AI will help people make critical design decisions about
physical and digital assets in the next few years. 

“AI can elevate construction’s technological capabilities to match those of more
digitally native industries. It gives smaller firms access to the same
gamechanging tools as their larger counterparts.”

Amit Puri


AI is a major driver of digital transformation across the AECO sectors, enabling
digital acceleration for companies to continually evolve and adapt to achieve
their business goals. Gamechanging tools like ChatGPT, as well as Co-Pilot and
Gemini, are playing a big part in allowing even those less ‘techie’ to look at
AI differently and feel less apprehensive about it, and it’s no doubt attributed
to the technology’s obvious capabilities to augment our day-to-day lives.

What intrigues me is AI’s potential to level the playing field. It can elevate
the construction sector’s technological capabilities to match those of more
digitally native industries. It gives smaller firms access to the same
gamechanging tools as their larger counterparts – given the ease of access to
cost-effective AI applications. Everyone can realise the benefits of AI,
especially those that invest early and have a strategy. This will enable more
competition, more innovation and, ultimately, better results for such companies.


SUPPORTING AN OVER-EXTENDED WORKFORCE

Construction firms face an ageing workforce, attrition, and a well-publicised
skills gap. According to the Construction Industry Training Board, the industry
recruited 200,000 new workers in the UK last year, but still experienced a net
talent loss, with 210,000 leaving. The speed of digitalisation has made this
skills gap worse, with organisations vying for a limited pool of the best tech
talent.

It’s no surprise then, that 36% of industry leaders surveyed in our report said
supplementing a skills gap was a key use case for AI within their business. As
workforces get leaner, businesses see AI’s potential to help manage workloads on
smaller teams, free up employees for more meaningful, creative and proactive
work, and plug talent shortfalls. While it doesn’t solve the core problem, AI
will enable the brilliant people in our industry to achieve even more by
augmenting and supporting their talents, expertise and experience.


NO FEAR

A skilled, knowledgeable and technically competent workforce is key to
successfully implementing AI in construction. Thus, construction professionals
will need to be trained in the technology, data analysis and a multitude of
systems to use it effectively on their projects. This requires a commitment to
ongoing education and upskilling within the industry. The closer people are to
understanding the value, as well as the risks of AI, the less inclined they’ll
be to think that it will replace what they do, and instead see its potential to
augment and enhance their work.

People feared the Industrial Revolution, but that change brought opportunity and
the need to adapt, igniting innovations that transformed industries, creating
new jobs and, what’s often forgotten about, an improved quality of life. It will
be similar for the AI Revolution, where disruptive advances can lead to progress
not only for businesses, but also for construction professionals, who will be
able to safely head home sooner to spend more time with their family after a
productive day on site, leaving a project that is on time, on budget and of
high-quality. This is a win-win situation.


BUILDING A STRONG DATA FOUNDATION

“In the AI Revolution, disruptive advancements can lead to progress not only for
businesses, but also for construction professionals.”

Amit Puri

Before adopting more complex technologies like AI, construction firms need the
foundation of a solid digital and data strategy to produce truly actionable
insights. Autodesk’s recent report with Deloitte, which surveyed construction
leaders in 12 different countries, showed that those considered ‘data leaders’
were seven times more likely to deploy AI and machine learning solutions. The
good news is that the UK has the highest share of data leaders (18%) of the five
European countries analysed, indicating the importance of data across UK
construction.

But while the benefits of data leadership are clear, several challenges are
hindering the widespread adoption of data-driven practices in construction. One
significant barrier is data fragmentation. According to Deloitte’s report, 43%
of UK construction leaders reported that their organisations were storing data
on too many different platforms, leading to difficulties in integrating and
analysing information. Using a CDE significantly helps businesses by providing a
centralised, integrated and standardised platform for data management. This can
ensure project data is clean, well-organised, accurate and readily available to
maximise the effectiveness of AI and its deployment.


EMBRACING AI IN CONSTRUCTION

The potential for AI to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing challenges
is immense. We need to embrace AI and the benefits it offers to enhance our
work, while remaining mindful not to become overly dependent on it – as this
could lead to a decline in standards or quality of workmanship. This is why
regulation and company-led guidance are essential.

It’s clear the potential impact of AI on the workforce sparks genuine interest,
but with a hint of concern. Given the hazardous and expensive nature of many
construction processes, even minor errors can lead to significant consequences
and unfortunately, more than often than we’d like, a domino-effect of issues
that can make or break a project. As a result, there is a hesitancy to move away
from the traditional, tried-and-tested methods of working, despite the potential
of innovative technologies to deliver substantial rewards.

With a strong foundation in data leadership and management, and an approach to
AI that centres around our talented and experienced workforce, the construction
industry can leverage AI as a springboard to reach new heights.

 * The 12 steps to AI heaven: CIOB AI Playbook shows the way
 * AI in construction: addressing the first steps and the fears
 * AI: 68 ways to sustainable construction

Don’t miss out on BIM and digital construction news: sign up to receive the
BIMplus newsletter.

Topics: AI / skills
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Story for BIM+? Get in touch via email: bimplus@atompublishing.co.uk


COMMENTS

 1. Great insight Amit. I completely agree with having no fear, increasing
    awareness around AI and building a strong data foundation. Well written.
    
    T Chahal November 25, 2024 at 21:18
    Reply
    


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