b'Technical & Researchpossible job displacement, and how do we leverage thebillion by 2028. Many industries, including construction, technology to remain competitive? recognize opportunities to increase efficiency and profitability Demystifying AI by leveraging this tool. A six-year data series conducted by IBM revealed that early adopters of AI reported operating Artificial intelligence refers to computer systems that cancost savings related to process efficiency, supply chain and simulate certain aspects of human intelligence to executeproduction optimization, and labor efficiency. Companies tasks such as problem-solving, decision making and learning.involved in this study reported 6.3 percentage points of direct However, its important to note that current AI models arerevenue gains directly attributable to AI on average.limited in their abilities and can only perform specific tasks they have been trained to do. In other words, they lack theEngineering and construction (E&C) leaders predict that flexibility and adaptability of human intelligence. Put simply,AI will have an immense impact on the industry. James AI is designed to perform one task at a time and cannot easilyBarret, chief innovation officer for Turner Construction, told switch between tasks or perform new ones. Construction Dive that Artificial intelligence will transform the industry in the next 10 years more than any other Many researchers and academics broadly separate AI intotechnology has in the past century. In other words, the three categoriesArtificial Superintelligence (ASI), Artificialwidespread adoption of AI-enhanced operational processes General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Narrow Intelligencemay transform from a competitive advantage to a necessity (ANI). ASI is where machines become self-aware and surpassfor staying competitive.human intellect. This form of AI is merely hypothetical.Enhancing Labor, Not Replacing ItAGI, or strong AI, is the concept of a machine with general intelligence that simulates human intelligence and behaviors,There are countless examples of how AI-enhanced processes with the ability to learn and solve any problem the way wecan improve construction operations, but most interestingly do. This too remains in the realm of science fiction, with ais how it can address construction labor shortages. It may leading MIT roboticist predicting that AGI wont arrive untilseem counterintuitive to suggest leveraging a technology the year 2300. that many fear will replace construction jobs to address Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), or weak AI, is designed tolabor shortages.complete a single task without human assistance. It is trainedIts natural to be concerned about job displacement due to AI, to do one thing and automatically apply the knowledge gainedespecially when you consider how robotics and automation from performing that task to the next. Its function is narrowsystems have already displaced millions of jobs, 1.7 million in scope. Some currently utilized ANI models are in smartin manufacturing since 2000.speakers, self-driving cars, web searches, AI farming andHowever, its important to remember how ANI is generally manufacturing. ANI is widely used in industry today and hasonly capable of carrying out specific and controlled functions. the potential to reshape construction operations in the future. Unlike manufacturing, construction projects usually involve Example: Futuristic Farming building something that has never been built in the exact One success story in AI involves an agriculture start-upsame way, and in a dynamic and constantly changing company called Blue River Technology, a grassroots effortenvironment.started by two graduate students. The founders began byAlong with installing materials by utilizing skills developed manually taking pictures in the field with handheld camerasfrom years of experience, skilled trade workers execute tasks to train their AI model, then started selling their product to onethat involve intuition, split second decision making, creativity, farmer at a time. Blue River developed and fielded real-timeflexible task reorientation and interactive communication. autonomous agriculture robots that see and spray. We have potentially hundreds of years before machines These tractor attachments use computer vision that combinesare equipped with an AGI capable of simulating the human cameras and algorithms to distinguish between weeds andintelligence and behaviors necessary to replace skilled crops, and sprays herbicides on only the weeds. This AI- construction labor.enhanced technology reduced chemical usage by moreAddressing Labor Challenges by than 90%, resulting in tremendous cost savings. John DeereComplementing Human Skillsultimately acquired Blue River for $305 million in 2017. Construction labor challenges have plagued the industry for The Business Value of AI more than 100 years. These challenges remain pervasive The global AI market is projected to increase by a compoundtoday and appear to be getting worse. Theres a widening gap annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.4%, reaching roughly $422between workers exiting and entering the workforcethere www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 31'