b'Technical & ResearchARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION FIRMSIn numerous industries, technical jargon can pose a challenge for those unfamiliar with it.Cain Menard,Performance Consultant with FMI ConsultingC onstructionisnoexception,(AI). Distinguishing between the hype and reality of AIs employing terms such as earnedcapabilities can be difficult, given its prominence in todays value, design-bid-build and WIP (work-in- conversations. Its time to cut through the noise and discuss progress), which are typically only familiarhow AI is truly changing the construction industrywithout to construction industry professionals. invoking images of autonomous humanoid robots capable While the tech sector may be the mostof climbing a ladder to terminate wire or anything else.prolific source of industry-specific terminology, contractorsTheres an ever-growing communication gap between AIs are gradually evolving into tech companies in their own rights.most vocal advocates and average business owners or Software, technology and associated salaries can generallyexecutives. Some may be overly optimistic, believing that be the second-highest cost on an average contractorsAI can solve all the construction industrys problems, while income statement, according to an FMI analysis of clientsothers might avoid the technology altogether due to fears of financial statements. job displacement or a lack of understanding its applications.ByincreasinglyadoptingsoftwareandtechnologytoWhat is often missing from the conversation about AI is incorporate data-driven decision making, they introducea practical understanding of its capabilities, along with a technical terms like virtual design and construction (VDC),perspective that is neither too optimistic nor too pessimistic, building information modeling (BIM), cloud computing andbut rather realistic. Developing a realistic view is essential application programming interface (API). for many contractors as they determine their defensive and One term that has transitioned from industry-specific jargonoffensive strategies. How do we protect ourselves from the to everyday conversation, primarily due to the disruptiveimplications associated with our works exposure to AI, or impactofOpenAIsChatGPT,isartificialintelligencewhat many researchers are studying as a means to explore 30 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'