Preface: Building artificial intelligence – it is all about good foundations

The construction industry is undergoing a transition, with digitalisation and artificial intelligence providing opportunities to improve productivity and quality. In the every day processes on worksites, the role of AI is still limited, however, and technology cannot alone solve the challenges the sector is facing. A true change can only be achieved through a reform of people and practices, as well.

AI can bring considerable benefits during the entire lifecycle of construction, from design to production, worksites and maintenance. These benefits will only become reality based on structured and interoperable data of high standard. Without shared data structures and standardised processes, the risk of AI only being used in isolated experiments is high.

The solution adopted by the industry is to initiate joint ventures and cooperation to build a shared knowledge base as well as new operating models. Issues that also need to be dealt with include competence, information security and responsible use of AI. In the concrete industry, these efforts have already been started in practice, one example being the supply chain of precast concrete products where the standardisation of product data is developed as a cooperation project. This builds up a foundation for future AI solutions.

When people, data and technology are brought together on a strong base, AI can deliver on its promises – as is always the case in construction, a good outcome is only possible when built on good foundations.

Antti Aaltonen, Director of Construction Industry Development, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT