The word “revolutionary” is often overused when discussing technology. In recent decades, despite the emergence of many new tools claiming to be “revolutionary,” only a handful have truly been transformative, changing the way we live and work. Artificial Intelligence appears to be one such groundbreaking tool.
Across industries, AI has already shown its ability to provide users with competitive advantages and as a result, has become the fastest adopted business technology in history. From finance to healthcare to retail, AI is being used in various capacities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and advance innovation. In the construction sector (which has historically been a slow tech adopter), a wide range of early AI use cases has also emerged, including powering autonomous equipment, improving safety and risk management on job sites, processing documents and resource allocation planning.
This rapid adoption of AI is not only powering new industry tools and processes, but also driving explosive demand for the physical construction of data centers needed to support the technology. Across the country, data center absorption has reached record highs. Estimates have found that the facilities are currently in short supply and forecasts suggest that demand will likely continue growing by 10% a year until 2030 as investment continues to pour in. Unlike other industries, construction not only has the opportunity to implement new AI, but is also responsible for supporting the technology's growth via infrastructure development.
In the face of massive demand for new physical construction and amidst the tantalizing benefits that early technology adoption may offer businesses, it is critical that the industry embrace of AI is done strategically, ethically, and with a healthy respect for both the technology and the people it will impact.
Job Disruption and Displacement
In our new AI era, a paradox and a common concern unfolds—technology designed to improve industry productivity simultaneously poses a potential threat to human employment.
Thankfully, early returns across industries have shown that AI is less of a job destroyer than many have feared. Recent discussions at the World Economic Forum suggested that engineering and construction firms specifically were least likely to anticipate cuts as a result of AI. Therefore, it’s critical that the industry not fall victim to tropes and fears about AI that will hinder its embrace. Rather, the construction industry must take a proactive approach, viewing AI as a tool that empowers rather than replaces. "Get on board or get left behind" becomes the rallying cry.
The industry is at an important crossroads. It must maintain a balance to ensure that technological advancements do not come at the expense of human well-being. One example of a way to strike that balance is by providing staff with training or resources when implementing new AI tools. A short educational course to help improve familiarity and proficiency could go a long way, and would show a commitment to respect for both people and technology.
The AI Data Center Gold Rush
As AI continues to reshape construction industry tools and processes, a parallel phenomenon unfolds–the race to construct AI data centers. This gold rush should prompt a critical examination of its sustainability and potential risks of overbuilding. Drawing lessons from recent history, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in commercial real estate, highlighting the consequences of overbuilding and oversupply, perhaps most notably in the office sector.
On one hand, it’s essential that more infrastructure—including data centers, networks and other hardware that supports the use of AI applications—be built. However, this need should also underscore the careful considerations that should come into play to avoid overbuilding. The industry must be mindful of the lasting impacts that unchecked development can have on property values and the overall stability of industries and communities. Investing in and building properties for AI data centers presents ethical considerations, especially in the wake of lessons learned from the pandemic. The industry must recognize the need for strategic, forward-thinking decisions that align with long-term industry stability.
In ensuring the responsible integration of AI across the construction sector, a framework and guiding principles anchored in respect and ethics become imperative.@kosssmosss - adobe.stock.com
Healthy Respect and Ethical Implementation
In ensuring the responsible integration of AI across the construction sector, a framework and guiding principles anchored in respect and ethics become imperative. Transparency, accountability, and rigorous ethical scrutiny should be the guiding principles in development and deployment. Envisioning a future where AI enhances productivity without compromising ethical standards is not just a goal but a necessity. As these ethical considerations shape the industry's AI journey, they must extend to the very facilities and infrastructure built to support it. Resisting the temptation of overbuilding, guided by the lessons of the past, will be key. A conscientious approach to growth ensures a balance between progress and sustainability.
Industry leaders should approach AI with enormous optimism, tempered by caution. The need for collaborative dialogue, ethical oversight, and responsible innovation is paramount to harnessing the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks. The potentially transformative effects of AI in construction are undeniable but demand a pragmatic and conscientious approach for sustained success. As the industry navigates the uncharted, the challenge is clear – respect the power of technology to embrace innovation without sacrificing ethics, sustainability, or human welfare.
