The first time I encountered what today we call artificial intelligence was a number of years ago, when it was something called machine learning. Later, I became familiar with the concept of predicting project outcomes by analyzing emails—what was termed meta data.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to hear many experts speak on this topic, from risks and opportunities to legal concerns and the future, both scary and exciting. While the present level of sizzle around AI sometimes reminds me of the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000s, I remain fascinated by the possibilities for our industry.

ABC is taking an active role in figuring them out, including:

Publishing an online AI Resource Guide to help define terms and provide clarity for our contractors: abc.org/technology/AI-resource-guide

Producing a number of webinars on the topic, which can be found in our archive: abc.org/academy

Devoting part of the program at the 2024 ABC Users Summit on May 20–22 to workshopping the future of AI in construction: userssummit.abc.org

In the immediate future, I see significant opportunities for AI to streamline processes, shorten timeframes and lower business costs. As an example, with so much of the construction process now existing in a digital environment, there’s the ability to add even more value during preconstruction—providing more accurate, comprehensive analysis in less time, including project cost, schedule, lifecycle, alternative system design, warranty performance and supply-chain variability. Eventually, this process could become so efficient that a project might be offered for pricing in the morning and awarded in the afternoon, with the entire supply chain contracted before the end of the day.

The potential applications of AI during construction are similarly varied, touching on photogrammetry, point-cloud technology, project-control systems, telematics, robotics, laser scanning, additive manufacturing/3D printing, nanotechnology and more. We’re limited only by our ability to imagine how to use AI.

Yes, there are risks, and we have to keep our eyes open to them. But at the end of the day, humans are the programmers. This is why I’m excited about the future of AI and the opportunities awaiting the talented people who work in our industry.