How to Integrate AI and Machine Learning Into Your Design and Construction Process

The operation of any facility will ultimately lead to the planning and execution of maintenance and construction projects. This includes upgrading equipment, remodeling the existing facility, or designing and building something entirely new. In this final part of the AI series, we will cover how the light’s out data center model can integrate with construction industry standards to better manage tasks and minimize risk on your construction project.

1: Safety is First and Foremost

As most know, the construction industry is inherently dangerous. According to OSHA, 20 percent of private-industry worker fatalities are in construction, but with the help of AI, we can do a lot better. Currently software is being developed that will incorporate machine learning algorithms into construction management software. This AI can analyze hazards from project schedules, jobsite cameras, or even drones; and filter by categories such as trade, job type, or jobsite location. For example, if the schedule indicates that electricians are lifting switch gear to the 4^th floor at a project site with minimal staffing available, a real-time examination by the AI can alert the designated personnel via text or email with a report of hazards and safety protocols/violations. This would improve overall jobsite safety by streamlining communications and affirm proper actions to be implemented.

2: Risk Prediction and Avoidance

The planning process of any project involves risk assessment, including safety, quality, and budget risks. In the future, project management AI programs can process large amounts of data such as project size, material cost, labor cost, and quality control tracking. It will then calculate the projected risk and risk factors to help the project team take specific precautions.

3: Generative Design will lead to Better Design

When a building is constructed, the workflow for different teams on the project must be cohesive to prevent specific teams from getting in each other’s way. If each team’s workflow sequence is not cohesive, it leads to site congestion and rework causing budget overruns, schedule delays, and increased safety risks. Generative design can fix this problem and is accomplished through a process called building information modeling (BIM). With this type of design process, the architect can specify the high-level goals, requirements, and constraints of a project. Then, AI algorithms will formulate the best team-workflow design. This is accomplished by running the computational model thousands of times to automatically generate and evolve thousands of unique design options. This creates an enormous array of design possibilities that will be more efficient and cost-effective projects.

4: Cognitive AI Project Planning

In the near future, construction firms will incorporate 3D scanning, AI, and drones (aka neural networks) to scan a project site and determine the progress of specific subcontractors in order to prevent delays. This technological approach will allow management to solve problems before they get out of control and better optimize project planning.

5: Changing Landscape

AI is changing the landscape for data centers and bringing construction management processes into the future. Lights out data centers are projected to become more prevalent, offering more computing power than anything we see in the industry today. It is widely believed that AI will actually become a necessity in order to deal with the complex data synchronization and analysis that is seen in construction management systems. However, the needs of AI and machine data are quite different from other kinds of data. For example, machine data will require an immediacy of processing and a scalable, shared repository at the core. The type of storage that may have traditionally been deployed may not fit a machine learning environment.

No matter the industry AI is here to stay, and as I have outlined in the previous articles, the uses of AI are practically endless. Anything from integration into existing BMS, EPMS, and DCIM applications to equipment, proactive project management, jobsite safety, and automated design integrations are all possibilities for construction oriented AI.

Is your facility ready for the future?

How to Integrate AI and Machine Learning Into Your Design and Construction Process

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