B1 - AI and Misc

Speaking of industrial revolutions, we may refer to steam engines, electricity, and computers, and only of recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) is recognized to be the fourth industrial revolution. With only about 60 years of development, AI seems mostly existing in fictions, but gradually it is becoming real [1]. In the year of 2016, we human beings had a glance of what we have made, and it terrified some and excited the others. The stories of how Google, Amazon, Facebook, or just some simple applications in your smartphone pushed their business to the next level thanks to the usage of AI were heard a lot [2], and in addition to those “high-technology” industries, AI also has a bright future in traditional construction industry. When Tim Chapman, the director of Arup, was asked whether AI would lead to a more efficient and productive construction industry, he gave a positive answer [3]. He explained that AI would have a great impact on professional services, especially design services, because AI could share data and thoughts efficiently without all the unnecessary activities caused by arguments, prejudices, egos, or other negative emotions. This is one of the fields that many overlooked the potential of AI, as we thought that creativity was the unique characteristic of human beings. It is debatable, but without overthrowing that opinion, AI can still be a great assistant in design services, especially when generating a standard, cost-efficient, and safe design. 

One of the most used AI tech nowadays is deep learning based on neural network tech. It simulates the process of how human learns and improves itself by analyzing a vast amount of data. Since we are too scared of the consequences of Skynet, a well-built local database may be the best chance for an AI to learn from. For example, a BIM library can serve for such purpose. Other examples include Nest Thermostat learning from users’ preferences, structure analyzing tools learning from existing data of past decades, and so on. The industry is still exploring such technology, but AI, although in its elementary stage, has been adopted by many construction companies, so that the “learning materials” we can provide to it is also growing, and with that, it is confident to expect a better future with great possibilities.

Sources:

[1] “Artificial Intelligence Has a Big Year Ahead.” https://www.cnet.com/news/2017-artificial-intelligence-mainstream-businesses-adopt-ai/

[2] “2016: The Year That Deep Learning Took over The Internet.” https://www.wired.com/2016/12/2016-year-deep-learning-took-internet/

[3] “How will artificial intelligence benefit the construction industry?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Atz4S5FceQ


Comments:

Brennan Connolly – I like how you discussed about artificial intelligence and robotics in a single paragraph. I neglected that part in my post but only focused on the design or analysis aspect of construction. The combination of practical AI and robotics can hugely impact the industry, and I agree that there’s still a long way to go before we use it massively.

Yosep Bak – Knowing the potential of modern technology, I was still surprised by the facts that you provided in the Robotics part that how much time and manpower that robotics could save for us. It reminds of a news I read but not mentioned in my original post: “Komatsu started Smart Construction where drones are used to survey construction sites, create 3D maps, extract blueprints, and simulate construction plans. Now, processes such as these that can typically take weeks can be done in one day.”

http://www.conexpoconagg.com/news/august-2016/artificial-intelligence-in-the-construction-indust/