AI Transforms the Construction Industry

Being in the industry for more than three decades, Todd Burns has positioned himself as one of the prominent and exceptional leaders in the construction industry. Serving different roles, including project manager, general contractor, and research architect across different companies, he has demonstrated an exemplary track record in establishing and executing business strategies, business development, and relationship management. 

Please share with our readers your key roles and responsibilities in the organization.

As the president of the project and development services business at JLL, I oversee around 8,500 project managers across the globe who are responsible for a wide range of design and construction projects. Catering predominantly to corporate users and real estate investors, we deal with a diverse spectrum of projects spanning from small office build-outs to the development of large stadiums and everything in between, like campus renovations, redevelopment, and other related endeavors. The three decades of experience in the construction industry bestowed me with the opportunity to serve as an architect, contractor, and eventually as an owner too.

Could you share some insights on how technology is playing a crucial role in the construction industry?

Historically, the design and construction industry has been slow in adopting new technologies, making it one of the last sectors to undergo digital transformation. Even today, many processes, including the development of buildings, roads, and cities, are carried out manually. The advancement of technologies such as 3D printing and AI is, however, fostering a path to enhance construction processes. Companies are interested in adopting AI tools, like ChatGPT and similar technologies, such as Google Bard, that can potentially revolutionize how we approach construction projects. Adopting AI can streamline and expedite the development of projects traditionally known for being long and laborious.

Using AI in operations, such as scanning construction documents, estimating the quantities of material, and budgeting, can be game-changing. Users have been using On-Screen Takeoff software to perform digital takeoffs and estimations from electronic plans or drawings for a while now. This enables them to view, measure, and annotate digital plans on their computer and eliminate the need for manual takeoffs and reduce errors and omissions. The new AI-based add-on feature—Takeoff Boost—for On-Screen Takeoff further enhanced the speed for takeoff and budgeting by 15 times. By automatically performing area and wall measurements and auto-counting objects like fixtures and furniture, Boost saves significant time and money.However, we must keep an eye on the inaccuracies these technologies can produce as they are still in their infancy.

What, according to you, are some of the challenges in the construction industry?

The advancement in the design and construction industry is just one side of the coin. On the flip side, it is riddled with numerous challenges. The most prominent issues are the lack of standardized practices and ways of deriving actionable insights. Companies often fail to adhere to Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) guidelines facilitated to efficiently communicate, organize, and analyze data. They often present the information in a way that makes it difficult to standardize and interpret. In addition to the inability to effectively harness the power of data, the high level of commoditization of the industry poses significant challenges for innovators aiming to introduce new technologies. Many projects end up incurring losses until a successful solution is found.

Can you share any project initiatives that you are currently working on?

Currently, we are working on a tool called IngeniousIO, designed specifically for owners and project managers. The goal of this tool is to create a centralized hub where information from multiple stakeholders and parties can be integrated. The information must, however, be presented in a standardized format to ensure that it can be understood and interpreted effectively. By establishing standards upfront, we can manage and analyze the data efficiently and apply it to benefit our owners. For instance, we can utilize it for quantity surveying, takeoffs, and the evaluation of plans and documents.

What would be your piece of advice to our readers?

My advice to vendors in the industry is to keep innovating and take calculated risks. The industry has always provided a prime environment for transformative change. However, due to commoditization, it is essential to embrace a "fail fast" mindset where one should learn from failures and move forward along with exploring new technologies and tools. For owners, my suggestion is to actively create opportunities to push the industry towards and open doors to new technologies. Unless people try new technologies, advancements in the industry are not possible. Embracing technologies like 3D printing and artificial intelligence is vital for progress as it can help owners identify opportunities to expedite the entire process. Although the benefits may not be immediately evident, such efforts can lead to significant long-term savings.