Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a topic that is mentioned constantly in every aspect of our society, from households to newsrooms, to online discourse and beyond. Many people assume that AI exclusively holds a predominant role in the tech space. However, its rapid development and ever-evolving knowledge base has made it an integral part of almost every industry, including construction. Our own industry professionals have often thought that AI has no role in the construction or physical labor market, however, that assumption is being proven wrong as we speak: AI is showing increased promise to be a key resource in the construction industry for advanced training, employee safety, and resource management.
According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), the construction industry is increasingly embracing AI in the field. Like other industries, “Construction is exploring the potential applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning and implementing them into their projects and workflows.” Another article from AGC (Associated General Contractors of America) reported that 44 percent of companies have planned to increase their investment in AI in 2025, citing AI as the top ranked area of technologies included in their survey.
From a project planning perspective, AI-powered technology can make it possible for companies to analyze blueprints, identify errors, and optimize architectural designs on jobsites. Furthermore, AI can help scale down the costs of industrial grade resources by forecasting material usage and construction timelines at a more accurate level.
AI also shows promise of being a game changer when it comes to construction training and safety. The same article from NCCER highlighted the benefits of AI in training tools and operator simulations. Although training via simulation will not replace live practice, it can offer a low-risk and cost-effective solution for additional development, specifically geared towards heavy equipment operation such as mobile and tower crane operation.
Several industries worry about the risks of AI eliminating jobs and entire labor divisions. However, this is not the case for the construction industry. While AI is an ever changing and evolving industry, the benefits and low-cost alternatives it could bring to the construction sector show promise for more accessible training, safer jobsites, and cutting costs on timelines and resource usage! AI has the potential to propel our industry forward and enrich our jobsite capabilities for years to come.