Exploring AI’s Impact on the Construction Revolution at ENR FutureTech 2024

Last month, ENR FutureTech brought together construction tech leaders from around the country to explore new emerging technologies and the latest industry trends that are revolutionizing construction. This year’s theme focused on how these new cutting-edge solutions will improve construction quality, safety, productivity, and profitability. 

I was honored to sit down with powerhouse leaders – Director of Data and Analytics at Skanska, Amy Jones Snider, and Dr. Tessa Lau, CEO of Dusty Robotics – at this year’s event to discuss the people, products, and process foundational investments required to power the AI transformation in construction. Our session focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing construction across the globe, exploring real-world applications and considerations to position the enterprise to benefit from the AI platform shift.

We kicked off the conversation by acknowledging the significant, yet underutilized, data within the construction industry. Skanska’s Amy Jones Snider highlighted a staggering statistic: 96% of construction data goes unused, with 90% being unstructured (source: FMI). Skanska is tackling this issue with an agile framework, prioritizing technologies that provide speed to value and broad impact. This framework helps the company rapidly adjust to technological advancements and business needs.

When it comes to AI, there are a few types that are starting to become commonplace in construction: machine learning, robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI. We are seeing real, tangible examples of these in the industry already. For all of these technologies that are coming quickly to help our industry, data is the single most strategic asset that makes the application of AI successful. Accurate project information collected from the field and office is what fuels the benefits of AI.

Dr. Tessa Lau, with her extensive background in AI and robotics, emphasized the potential of these technologies to revolutionize construction. Since founding Dusty Robotics in 2018, she has focused on leveraging AI to assist and enhance human capabilities. Dusty Robotics, for instance, uses AI and machine learning to automate layout processes on construction sites, significantly reducing manual errors and increasing efficiency.

Both Amy and Tessa highlighted the importance of addressing the human element in technology adoption. Technology transformation is straightforward; the people transformation presents the real challenge for enterprises. Evolving established processes, getting your data AI ready, and convincing teams of the benefits of new technologies requires implementing an ongoing data-driven change effort. Amy shared that Skanska learned early on the importance of engaging and educating their workforce about the value of data and technology. Tessa echoed this sentiment, highlighting that technology should augment human capabilities, providing workers with the tools to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively: 

“My whole philosophy is about giving people superpowers…Technology is at best a way to supercharge all of the people out of the field, and in the office and in the trailer, to do their best work.”

By embracing AI and the underlying people, products, and processes required to power the AI revolution in the enterprise, companies like Skanska and Dusty Robotics are setting new standards for efficiency and innovation. However, the journey involves not only technological advancements but also a strategic focus on data and a commitment to engaging and educating the workforce. As the construction industry continues to evolve, the integration of AI and robotics will undoubtedly bring predictive experiences and real-time insights to the field.

To watch our session from ENR FutureTech 2024, please see here.