An Introduction to AI for Construction Manufacturers

But with many applications and common misunderstandings around what AI is and what it can do for you, is this technology worth your time? We’ve put together this simple guide to help demonstrate what AI is, how it can work for you, and what impact it may have on the wider industry in the coming years.

What is AI? 

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a technology that aims to simulate human intelligence. Where it was once associated with robotics and science fiction, AI technology has become commonplace throughout the digital landscape thanks to tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney and DALL-E. 

None of these tools actually replicate human intelligence. Instead, they use Machine Learning, where computers are fed data automatically and can perform tasks without human input. The more data they are exposed to, the more ‘intelligent’ the tool can become.

Though AI tools shot to popularity in 2022, they’ve been around for a long time. At its base level, Google is a form of AI. The search engine uses thousands of data points to interpret what your search means and then match results to it – a form of machine learning.

In a practical sense, AI tools break down into these categories: 

• Machine learning: Tools that learn using algorithms and data without ongoing human input.  
• Deep learning: A subset of machine learning, deep learning is done via neural networks that mimic how human brains think and can analyse images and videos, 
• Autonomous AI: refers to the more classic idea of AI in that it’s about AI tools and robots that can perform tasks independently.

All of these different models are broadly designed to achieve the same goal – to reduce the manual labour and effort associated with a given task. Humans are still ultimately responsible for setting up and overseeing the AI, but it is responsible for the ‘heavy lifting’.

Why should construction manufacturers take notice?

If you’re reading this and still wondering why we’re discussing AI, consider the rapid advances in digital technology that have occurred in construction in recent years. We’ve gone from drawings to data-rich BIM models and VR designs in no time at all – and that’s only the beginning.  

AI will help streamline many digital processes that are becoming standard in construction. Provided you choose AI tools that have already been fed relevant data to learn from, or give it access to your own data, AI can help you reduce resource drain, generate ideas, and better utilise data and insights.  

Every process within the construction sector can potentially benefit, from planning and design to project management – though we are still in the earliest days of AI, so it remains to be seen how well our sector will embrace and implement these tools. 

How can you use AI?

AI shouldn’t be intimidating. It’s something to treat as another tool to improve your job and business. In manufacturing, AI tools offer many potential use cases – though there are two ‘levels’ to how you can implement it.

The first is the most accessible – using existing AI tools like ChatGPT to improve your current tasks and products. The second is more complex but potentially offers greater benefits – hiring developers to create bespoke AI in your business would require training the AI through observation and supplying relevant data. 

Some of these are ambitious and require a commitment to technology, while others can be achieved with freely available tools such as ChatGPT.  

RIBA and the risks of AI

The role of AI is still emerging in the construction industry, but RIBA and other industry bodies have already acknowledged that there are risks associated with AI implementation. RIBA is working with the UK government to produce guidance on how AI can be used in the built environment, so it’s worth keeping that in mind as you explore existing and future possibilities.  

Practical ways manufacturers can use AI right now

Create sales and marketing collateral 

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that helps you create written material. For a small fee, you can sign up and begin testing it out for all manner of marketing purposes.

Before you start using it professionally, take the time to learn how to maximise the value of ChatGPT by tweaking your inputs and prompts. RIBA produced a short guide to help architects, but it has plenty of value for manufacturers, too.  

If used with a good understanding of prompts and some human supervision, ChatGPT can help you: 

• Write product descriptions, marketing slogans, blog articles and more.  
• Respond to client emails quickly and efficiently. 
• Draft tender responses and sales pitches.  

Generate product ideas 

Though it should be taken with a pinch of salt and always checked and refined by a human, you can use Chat-GPT to create product ideas and explore how you might sell, or market said product. For example, you could ask it to help plan a packaging design for a roofing tile, and it would give you ideas for packaging colours, elements to include, such as QR codes and accreditations and even suggestions around sustainable design.

Improve inventory management

Though it will take some investment, there are some amazing inventory management technology systems available right now that could offer immediate benefits to manufacturers that hold large amounts of stock. 

Using machine learning, AI can create alerts when stock is running low or it predicts trends in order volumes. Though it may take some time getting installed and up to speed, an AI system used to manage inventory can prevent bottlenecks, shortfalls, and customer frustrations. 

Balancing AI Innovation with Human Creativity

Growth in AI is exponential, and with any leap in technology, the global markets are quick to respond. Tools are already in place to detect AI-generated content, and search engines can spot AI content easily through several methods such as pattern recognition, repetitive language, and machine learning.

For content creators for example who wish to harness AI technology to help with their writing, using AI exclusively carries risk as it draws its knowledge from multiple sources, such as websites, databases and publicly available knowledge resources, so it’s unable to generate something unique, and in some instances, there’s no guarantee that the databases it draws from are factually accurate. Ultimately, the best way to use AI is to combine AI with human research and innovation in a way that maximises productivity without sacrificing quality.

Future AI innovation in manufacturing

AI needs access to enormous amounts of data to be able to create valuable outputs. Tools like Chat GPT are able to offer good results because they are built on huge swathes of collective data – but this data is too general to offer any reliable value for architecture and construction.

We are still in the infancy of AI, and some promising implementations are already being shown in construction. Finch3D allows architects to rapidly generate floorplans around set criteria such as CO2 efficiency. Autodesk Forma speeds up early-stage planning and conceptual designs. Delve uses real-world map analysis to help generate residential site plans. All of these are still just scratching the surface.

As the construction industry continues to change at a rapid pace, manufacturers are continually forced to play catch up. However, in these early days of AI, there is still a level playing field where architects and specifiers are still exploring possibilities – so now is the time to begin implementing AI into your own team and see how it can help.

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