Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming integral to the construction industry's operational landscape. Recent developments by notable firms demonstrate a significant shift towards the integration of AI tools into their core project management and execution strategies.
Zachry Construction, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is adopting ALICE Core, an AI-powered simulation and schedule optimisation tool developed by ALICE Technologies. The implementation of ALICE Core is designed to enhance the feasibility assessment of construction schedules across several of Zachry's critical projects. This innovative tool enables the company to simulate a broader range of jobsite staging scenarios compared to traditional methods, encompassing everything from bidding to project execution.
ALICE Core processes XCR files from Primavera P6, providing a comprehensive visual representation of project schedules that intertwines various relevant variables. According to Rene Morkos, founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies, this system facilitates an in-depth analysis of elements such as resequencing, setup time, and labour management. Ranjeet Gadhoke, vice president of project controls at Zachry, elaborated on the benefits of transitioning to AI-based scheduling, stating, “If you work on a 40-mile highway project there are a number of places you can start from. ALICE gives you so many more viable options to come up with the best way to build the project.” Gadhoke highlighted that the adoption of this technology is part of a broader digital transformation strategy that he has been overseeing since 2013, with the implementation already yielding positive results for the heavy civil contractor.
On the other hand, Suffolk Construction, based in Boston, is also advancing its use of AI by collaborating with tech firm Trunk Tools. This partnership follows Trunk Tools' graduation from Suffolk's Boost accelerator and incubator programme, signalling a commitment to innovative operational practices. The focus of this collaboration is the development of an AI agent derived from Suffolk’s Operations Playbook, which encompasses the contractor's standard operating procedures and necessary technologies. The AI agent will support over 1,000 field users working across more than 100 job sites.
Trunk Tools aims to apply its AI technology to standardise and mitigate risks associated with these operational procedures. The integration of a natural language AI is expected to enhance access to project documents and models in real-time. Sarah Buchner, founder and CEO of Trunk Tools, commented on the partnership, noting, “Their commitment to operational excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to empower field teams with cutting-edge technology that streamlines workflows and drives efficiency.”
The AI agents developed by Trunk Tools will be customised to mirror Suffolk’s internal standards, enabling on-the-ground teams to receive real-time guidance, thus ensuring adherence to process standards and safety protocols. With improved access to vital information, field teams can promptly identify issues that might otherwise lead to project delays.
Suffolk's Chief Technology Officer, Jit Kee Chin, expressed optimism about the potential of AI to enhance operational efficiency in construction management. “Generative and agentic AI can radically simplify the way our teams interact with the increasingly complex document management aspect of construction management, allowing them to refocus their time on building,” he stated. Chin believes that this collaboration will accelerate Suffolk's journey towards optimising daily operations and achieving better project outcomes.
As these major construction firms harness the power of AI, the industry may witness a promising evolution in standard practices, potentially reshaping business operations in the near future.
Source: Noah Wire Services