Unlock the benefits of AI in construction

10 Benefits AI is (Already) Bringing to Construction—and How You Can Get on Board

The stakes are high for construction companies: There’s a lot of money on the table. You need to stay competitive in an industry that’s a first-responder to issues like climate change and aging infrastructure.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) in construction has helped tackle the industry’s toughest challenges, like labor shortages and cost overruns. As AI continues to advance, and its impact comes into sharper focus, it WILL change the construction industry. You can’t afford to ignore it.

But are you prepared to make the most of it?

Whether you’re already using AI in tools for communication, project management, equipment maintenance, material management, and/or design—or you’re just AI curious—read on to learn how you can leverage AI in almost every phase of your construction projects, innovate faster and keep your competitive edge.

What is AI in construction?

AI is used to analyze huge amounts of data, automate repetitive tasks, and make accurate predictions.

In construction, there are several types of AI at work:

1. machine learning

2. automation

3. deep learning

4. computer vision

5. robotics

6. generative design

7. natural language processing

Different types of AI may be used at different stages of your construction projects to help you streamline workflows, improve safety and make faster, more informed decisions.

AI at Trimble: See how Trimble solutions are using AI

For example, automation can speed up the construction billing and payment process: Using a tool like Automatic Invoicing, PDF invoices are processed into validated, unapproved invoice entries in your construction ERP with minimal manual entry.

Automation reduces human error, improves safety and efficiency on job sites, and lets workers focus on more complex and strategic aspects of a project.

Machine learning, which analyzes data to identify patterns and make decisions, isn’t new to construction. It first came into play years ago as companies started generating large datasets from past projects that were virtually impossible for humans to manually process.

Machine learning programs “learn” from your data and go on to deliver insights that help teams plan projects better, anticipate schedule disruptions, improve safety, and predict project timelines and resource needs.

Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to learn from these large datasets and solve complex problems, like summarizing information or recognizing faces. In construction, deep learning is used to analyze building site images to spot if something looks unsafe or if a piece of equipment is out of place.

It can also help teams plan and design better by understanding patterns in how buildings are made.

It’s impossible to predict the many ways AI will evolve the construction industry. But here are the top 10 benefits we think it's going to have right away.

Watch the Interview: The Role of AI in the Built Environment

Top 10 benefits of AI in construction

Here are the ten biggest areas of impact of AI in construction.

1. Keeping projects on track

Construction schedules can feel like a balancing act — juggling timelines, resources, budgets and unexpected delays. AI-driven project management platforms can keep you a step ahead by analyzing large volumes of data, including both historical data and current project variables. It uses this data to track progress, identify discrepancies, predict potential delays and suggest ways to use resources more efficiently.

This makes for more realistic timelines and projects that are on schedule.

2. Ensuring workers and resources are in the right place at the right time

Using real-time project data, AI can figure out how many workers you need, taking into consideration things like skill level, timeline and labor costs.

It also can identify areas where workers or resources are underutilized or overallocated so you can redistribute as needed.

Plus, with AI-driven inventory management systems, you get a real-time view of all materials, tools, and equipment to make sure your projects don’t face unexpected disruptions due to shortages.

AI can use jobsite data to quickly show managers a snapshot of resources, to see if there are enough workers and machines to finish on time or if additional help is needed. And using drones to supplement your team is especially helpful at remote, dangerous jobsites.

3. Enhancing job site safety

Construction sites can be dangerous places. In 2023, construction had the most fatal injuries of any industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

AI can play a critical role in improving safety by predicting and preventing accidents using sensors, cameras and machine learning to continuously monitor job sites. AI can track workers’ locations, make sure they’re using the right safety gear and alert supervisors when there’s a safety hazard.

4. Predicting costs and resource needs

Rising material costs and unforeseen expenses can quickly derail a project. AI-based predictive analytics can help you stay on budget and avoid costly surprises by analyzing past and current project data to forecast the resources you need, create accurate cost estimates and track spending in real time.

5. Designing for sustainability

The built environment is responsible for 40% of the world’s annual C02 emissions.

 The rising cost of climate change means we must adopt more efficient methods and materials.

AI can help make the best use of existing resources, reduce waste, and create more energy-efficient structures by analyzing building data to point out energy inefficiencies, suggest improvements and model more sustainable design options.

Some tools can even analyze carbon emissions across your project lifecycle so you can make greener choices from start to finish.

6. Managing and mitigating risks

AI can help manage risk more accurately and easily than traditional methods by analyzing complex datasets to detect patterns and foresee potential issues so you can take proactive action.

By automating routine inspections and monitoring, AI helps you comply with safety standards and maintain project schedules, which lessens the likelihood of costly delays and accidents.

Additionally, AI-driven robotics in construction are becoming more advanced and capable, and are starting to be used for high-risk tasks, like confined-space inspections.

7. Meeting quality control standards

Using advanced technologies like computer vision and machine learning, AI can detect defects and anomalies in real-time.

By looking at data from sensors and images, AI systems can uncover issues that human inspectors may miss. By taking this proactive approach, you can take immediate corrective actions to prevent costly rework, maintain high-quality outcomes throughout the project lifecycle and make sure you’re consistently meeting construction standards.

8. Generating multiple design options

Imagine being able to create a vast array of design options in less time than it takes to create just one.

AI-driven generative design tools allow architects and engineers to create multiple design possibilities based on specified goals, constraints or factors — things like structural integrity, cost and sustainability. It lets you simulate how different designs will perform under various conditions and visualize the impact of different design choices instantly so you can innovate faster and make more informed decisions.

Generative design works hand-in-hand with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, which provides the structured data that AI needs to generate design options.

This data includes detailed information about building components, materials and spatial relationships. It also provides a shared platform so multiple project team members can contribute to the design process.

9. Improving communication and collaboration

AI is making it easier than ever to keep everyone on the same page. AI-driven project management tools provide a single source of truth for all project data so team members can always access the latest plans, schedules and updates to reduce miscommunications.

AI-powered BIM software allows architects, engineers and contractors to access and collaborate on 3D models, as well as spot clashes early so teams can work together to resolve them before construction begins.

AI also helps teams communicate better with clients through progress dashboards or 4D timelines that make it easier for nontechnical stakeholders to understand the project’s status and provide input.

10. Mitigating supply chain disruption

Where manual processes and siloed data once left teams in the dark, AI platforms give you a real-time view into inventory levels, supplier reliability and logistics.

Predictive analytics anticipate delays and material shortages so you can get ahead of them rather than scrambling to find what you need at the last minute.

AI can identify cost-effective alternatives and recommend suppliers, as well as monitor factors like weather, geopolitical events or labor strikes so you can make a backup plan.

Plus, you can save time by automating repetitive tasks like shipment tracking and inventory management.

Watch the interview: Harness the Power of AI for Your Business

So—How can you use AI in your construction workflows?

Come on in, the water’s fine! It’s likely that AI is already embedded in the software you’re using today, and you don’t have to dive in all at once to start seeing the benefits. Here are some tips for getting started:

• Start small: Implement AI in specific areas, like scheduling or safety monitoring, to demonstrate ROI and build confidence.

• Collaborate with vendors: Partner with technology providers to access ready-made AI tools tailored for construction.

• Capture good data: Make sure your team is capturing accurate, consistent information to get the most from your tools.

• Train employees: Provide training to help teams understand and trust AI tools.

• Focus on ROI: Prioritize AI solutions that deliver measurable improvements in productivity, cost savings or safety.

The future of construction isn’t just about building — it’s about building better

AI-powered construction is all about bringing together people, machines, technology, data and workflows to detect complex issues faster, automate tedious tasks and keep your projects moving forward on time and on budget.

While human oversight is still necessary, AI tools can help you surface the data you need much faster and more efficiently.

“Let’s do things quicker, faster, safer, greener,” says Karoliina Torttila, director of AI at Trimble. “[AI] need not be an add-on and an afterthought — it can be embedded into a lot of the work that we do today.”

As AI continues to revolutionize the construction industry, embracing its potential can lead to more efficient, safer and sustainable building practices, ultimately positioning your projects for success in an ever-evolving landscape.

Talk to us to see how Trimble can help usher AI for your organization!