JANUARY 2024CONSTRUCTIONTECHREVIEW.COM19THE TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECTS OF AI IN CONSTRUCTIONJeff Walter,Digital Consulting Lead - Canada Region, AECOMCould you brief us on your roles and responsibilities at your current organization?As the Digital Consulting Lead for AECOM Canada, my role encompasses interactions with diverse technologies and outcomes. One of my primary responsibilities is overseeing the design-to-construction interface. Having been part of one of the world's foremost design companies involved in major design-build and P3 projects, I possess an insider's perspective on the digital and innovation initiatives undertaken by our global contracting partners. How have you seen the industry evolve over the last couple of years?The rapid pace of technological advancements and disruptive thinking is continuously reshaping the discourse of construction industry. At AECOM, we have observed a significant inclusion of AI in the construction sector, impacting our design requirements and influencing our contribution towards large-scale infrastructure delivery projects. These trends have profound philosophical implications, particularly regarding digital transformation's influence on team collaboration and behavior during project execution. Given the collaborative nature of most infrastructure programs, digitalization has become integral to project planning, program delivery strategies, and even early-stage team formation during the RFP and pre-positioning phases.Could you provide insight on the digital trends in the space?From a conceptual standpoint, we are witnessing digital technologies playing an increasingly pivotal role in projects and programs right from their inception. The influence of data on large-scale initiatives cannot be understated. Teams and organizations now possess the capability to generate highly detailed information throughout the planning, design, construction, and operations stages. This shift necessitates a focus on data collection, security, analysis, automation--all while harnessing the immense potential of AI.New technologies and processes are also revolutionizing project delivery. Design for fabrication and advanced manufacturing are prime examples of the emerging concept of close collaboration between designers, construction partners, and suppliers. This approach ensures enhanced efficiency and exceptional delivery outcomes. The technical aspect of our industry is being significantly impacted by the proliferation of innovative tools and processes, with notable advancements in automation and the utilization Within a five to ten-year timeframe, an unprecedented level of data granularity and scale will be achieved, facilitating AI-driven predictive outcomes with greater efficiencyJeff Walter,Jeff Walter has 20+ years of creative experience as a senior technology leader with a wide range of executive/director/advisory level skills and also working on unique projects across many infrastructure disciplines. This includes successful experience and rich knowledge of alternative project delivery methodologies including P3, Alliance, and other progressive contractual delivery frameworks.CXO INSIGHTS
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