Blogs / Artificial Intelligence in Construction: How Machines Are Transforming the Future of Building

Artificial Intelligence in Construction: How Machines Are Transforming the Future of Building

هوش مصنوعی در صنعت ساخت‌وساز: چگونه ماشین‌ها در حال تغییر آینده ساختمان‌سازی هستند

Introduction

In the process of designing any type of structure—from a multi-story building to a massive tower—artificial intelligence enables architects and engineers to predict the performance and safety of the design before construction begins. Intelligent systems can show that, for example, if column number 23 is moved twenty centimeters to the left, construction costs will decrease by up to 12% and the structure's strength will increase by up to 8%. This is no longer a futuristic idea, but a reality that major construction companies today use for more precise decision-making and smarter construction.
Or imagine an intelligent drone that takes daily photos of the construction site and alerts the contractor: "Mr. Engineer, workers in the eastern section of the building are working without safety helmets" or "The construction materials that arrived yesterday do not meet the standards." These scenarios are no longer science fiction. Artificial intelligence is becoming a partner that never gets tired, never makes mistakes, and can analyze millions of data points in seconds.
The construction industry, one of humanity's oldest industries, stands on the brink of its greatest transformation. While other industries were digitized years ago, the construction industry remained faithful to traditional methods. But now the time for change has arrived.

Why Does the Construction Industry Need Artificial Intelligence?

The construction industry faces major challenges that have remained unsolved for years:
Cost and Time Waste: According to recent statistics, approximately 80% of construction projects finish with delays, and the average cost increase compared to the initial estimate is between 20 to 80%. Imagine a project that was supposed to cost 10 billion tomans suddenly reaching 18 billion tomans.
Work Accidents: The construction industry is one of the world's most dangerous occupations. Every day, construction workers face serious dangers—falls from heights, collisions with heavy objects, or accidents caused by faulty equipment.
Shortage of Skilled Labor: With the retirement of the older generation of skilled workers, the industry faces a serious labor shortage. Finding experienced individuals who can perform complex tasks is becoming increasingly difficult.
Climate Change: Today we must design buildings that consume less energy and are resistant to more severe climatic conditions.
Artificial intelligence can provide innovative solutions to all these challenges. Let's see how.

Intelligent Design: When Computers Become Better Designers Than Humans

Parametric Design and Automatic Optimization

Autodesk has created a tool called Generative Design that has revolutionized architects' work. How does this system work?
Suppose you want to design a bridge. You tell the system:
  • Maximum weight it must bear: 500 tons
  • Bridge length: 100 meters
  • Available budget: 5 billion tomans
  • Permitted materials: steel and concrete
The AI system generates hundreds of different designs within a few hours. Each design is evaluated in terms of strength, beauty, cost, and construction time. The result? Designs that no architect could think of alone.
Real Example: Airbus used this technology to design aircraft parts. They were able to design partitions that were 45% lighter than the previous version but had the same strength. This means millions of dollars in fuel savings over the aircraft's lifetime.

Simulation and Performance Prediction

Before construction, we can build the building in the digital world and test it. Modern software like Autodesk Revit along with machine learning add-ons can:
  • Earthquake simulation: See which part of the building would be damaged if a 7-magnitude earthquake occurs
  • Energy analysis: Calculate how much electricity the building consumes in summer
  • Natural light simulation: Check whether each room has sufficient light or not
  • Air flow: Show whether the ventilation system is properly designed or not
Real Example: In the Burj Khalifa construction project in Dubai, computer simulations showed that wind was extremely strong on the upper floors. Engineers had to change the design to keep the building stable. Without these simulations, they might have faced serious problems after construction.

Project Management: When AI Plays the Role of Supervisor and Planner

Intelligent Planning and Delay Prediction

One of the biggest problems in construction projects is unexpected delays. Materials might not arrive on time, weather might be rainy, or equipment might break down. AI can predict the probability of delays by analyzing past data and current conditions.
Practical Example: AI systems like Alice Technologies can simulate thousands of different scenarios for project execution. Suppose you have a hospital construction project. The system can:
  • Check whether completing the main building first or the parking lot first would finish faster
  • Show how many days earlier the project would complete if we hire 10 more workers
  • Tell us how much we would save in cost and time if we use contractor A instead of contractor B

Smart Monitoring with Drones and Cameras

Project Management Method Time Prediction Accuracy Delay Probability
Traditional Method (Manual Planning) ±30-40% 80%
Artificial Intelligence ±10-15% 35%
Imagine you have a 10-hectare construction site. How can you ensure everything is proceeding according to plan? Drones equipped with artificial intelligence are the answer.
These drones can:
  1. Take photos and videos of the entire site daily and compare them with digital maps
  2. Measure work progress: For example, say "65% of the building has been completed as of today"
  3. Identify problems: For example, see that a wall has been built crooked or materials are piled in the wrong place
  4. Check safety: Detect which worker doesn't have a safety helmet or which scaffolding is unsafe
Companies like DroneDeploy and Skycatch are pioneers of this technology. They can take thousands of photos daily at a large site and analyze them using machine vision. The result? 55% reduction in work accidents and 25% reduction in delays.

Machine Learning for Cost Prediction

One of every contractor's major concerns is: "Is the budget sufficient?" AI can predict costs with very high accuracy by analyzing thousands of past projects.
Systems like Buildots and OpenSpace using machine learning can:
  • Predict material prices in the coming months
  • Say how much the project cost would increase if the dollar becomes expensive
  • Specify which parts of the project have the highest probability of cost increase
With this information, project managers can make better decisions and prevent unexpected cost increases.

Robots and Automation: The Workers of the Future

Masonry and Painting Robots

One of the most amazing developments in the construction industry is robots that can lay bricks, build walls, or paint. These robots not only work faster than humans but also have very high accuracy.
Robot SAM (Semi-Automated Mason) made by Construction Robotics is one of the most famous of these robots. SAM can:
  • Lay 3,000 bricks per day (a skilled mason lays about 500 bricks)
  • Work with millimeter precision
  • Work 24 hours without fatigue
But don't worry! SAM is not a complete replacement for humans. A worker must prepare materials for the robot and perform final inspections. This way, the robot performs repetitive and tedious tasks, and humans focus on more complex and creative work.
Canvas Robot is also an intelligent painting robot that can paint walls. This robot:
  • Before painting, scans the wall and creates a three-dimensional map of it
  • Detects where it should paint and where it shouldn't (such as outlets or switches)
  • Can work 10 times more than a human painter in one day

3D Construction Printers

If you think 3D printers are only for making small objects, you should change your mind. Today a complete house can be built with a 3D printer!
The company ICON in America has successfully built houses that:
  • Are built in 24 hours (a normal house takes 4 to 6 months)
  • Have construction costs 50% lower than traditional methods
  • Are very resistant to earthquakes and storms
This technology is especially useful for building affordable housing or humanitarian aid after earthquakes and wars. Imagine after a severe earthquake, we could build thousands of houses for victims within a few weeks.
Real Example: The company Apis Cor in Russia built a 38-square-meter house in 24 hours. The total construction cost was only $10,000! This house had all standard amenities: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and heating system.

Welding and Assembly Robots

In large construction projects, welding metal parts is very dangerous and time-consuming work. Robots from ABB and KUKA can perform this work with very high speed and accuracy.
These robots usually make prefabricated parts in factories. Then these parts are transferred to the site and connected together like Lego pieces. This method causes:
  • Construction speed to increase by 40%
  • Labor costs to decrease by 30%
  • Final quality to be much more uniform

AI and Safety: The Lifesaver of Workers

Intelligent Warning Systems

One of the most important applications of AI in the construction industry is increasing worker safety. Every year, thousands of construction workers worldwide lose their lives or are injured.
AI systems like Smartvid.io can identify potential dangers by analyzing site images:
  • A worker working at height but not wearing a safety belt
  • Equipment that is not properly installed
  • Workers moving in dangerous paths (such as under suspended loads)
  • Materials piled unsafely
When the system detects a danger, it immediately warns. These warnings can be in the form of SMS, email, or even audio alarms.
Real Statistics: Companies that have used these systems have reported that work accidents have decreased by 62%.

Behavior Analysis and Accident Prediction

Some more advanced systems can analyze workers' behavior and even warn before an accident occurs. These systems learn what behaviors are dangerous by analyzing past videos.
For example, if they see that a worker repeatedly works with heavy equipment without sufficient care, they inform their supervisor so that more training can be given.

Smart Glasses and Helmets

Augmented reality glasses like Microsoft's HoloLens can display useful information directly in the worker's view:
  • Show building maps on the wall
  • Tell the worker exactly where to do plumbing or wiring
  • Warn if approaching a dangerous area
  • Communicate directly with the design engineer and receive guidance
Smart helmets can also:
  • Measure the worker's body temperature and warn if they're experiencing heat stroke
  • Measure the environmental noise level and inform the worker if it exceeds the allowable limit
  • Immediately notify the first aid team in case of a fall or severe head impact

Energy Optimization: Smart and Green Buildings

Intelligent Energy Management Systems

Today, buildings consume about 40% of the world's energy. Using AI, we can significantly reduce this consumption.
Intelligent systems like Google Nest or intelligent BMS (Building Management System) systems can:
  • Learn what hours building occupants are present and what their preferred temperature is
  • Predict that tomorrow will be hot, so turn on the cooling system less tonight
  • Detect that a room is empty and turn off its light and heating
  • Check electricity prices at different times of day and turn on high-consumption devices when electricity is cheaper
Real Example: Google uses AI to manage the cooling system of its data centers. This system has been able to reduce energy consumption by 40%. This means saving millions of dollars per year!

Designing Net-Zero Energy Buildings

Net-zero energy buildings are buildings that produce as much energy as they consume. AI can play a key role in designing these buildings.
Intelligent design software can:
  • Calculate the best angle for installing solar panels so maximum energy is produced
  • Determine window positions so that maximum sunlight and heat enter in winter and minimum heat in summer
  • Choose wall thickness and insulation type so that minimum energy is needed for heating and cooling
  • Optimally design energy storage systems (batteries)
Companies like Tesla with smart solar panels and home energy storage systems are revolutionizing the construction industry.

Smart Building Materials

AI even plays a role in the production of building materials. Researchers use machine learning to design:
  • New concretes that are stronger and lighter
  • Smart glass that can adjust the amount of light passing through
  • Self-healing paints that automatically cover scratches
  • Advanced insulation materials that are much better than traditional insulation
These materials can increase the building's lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.

Predictive Maintenance: Preventing Failures Before They Occur

IoT Sensors and Data Analysis

One of the biggest costs of buildings is emergency repairs. Imagine a building's heating system breaks down in the middle of winter. This could cause several days of business closure and heavy repair costs.
Predictive maintenance using AI can solve this problem. How?
Smart buildings are equipped with thousands of IoT sensors that constantly collect information:
  • Temperature of motors and pumps
  • Unusual vibration and noise
  • Power consumption of each device
  • Pressure and temperature of water and gas systems
The AI system analyzes this data and can detect that a device is about to fail. For example, if it sees that the temperature of an elevator motor is gradually increasing, it warns: "Elevator motor number 2 probably needs parts replacement within the next 2 weeks."
Real Example: Otis, the world's largest elevator manufacturer, has a system called Otis ONE IoT. This system can detect 95% of elevator failures before they occur. This means fewer emergency stops and lower repair costs.
Maintenance Type Annual Cost (Large Building) System Downtime
Reactive Maintenance (Fixing After Breakdown) $100,000 200-300 hours
Scheduled Maintenance $70,000 100-150 hours
Predictive Maintenance (With AI) $45,000 20-40 hours

Smart Cameras for Building Inspection

Regular building inspection to detect cracks, leaks, or corrosion is very important. But this work is time-consuming and expensive. Cameras equipped with AI can do this work automatically and quickly.
These cameras can:
  • Detect fine cracks in walls or ceilings that the human eye doesn't see
  • Find hidden water leaks by detecting moisture changes
  • Identify metal corrosion in early stages
  • See electrical system problems such as hot wires or faulty connections with thermal cameras
The company Inspect Point has a system that can completely inspect a 20-story building in 2 hours, while manual inspection might take 2 weeks.

Advanced Applications: When AI Gets Really Smart

Digital Twins

One of the most exciting technologies is digital twins. This means creating a complete digital version of a building that behaves exactly like the real building.
Imagine you have a digital twin of a hospital. This twin:
  • Constantly receives information from the real building's sensors
  • Keeps all systems' status updated
  • You can experiment on it: for example, see what happens if a system breaks down
  • Warns you before making changes in the real building whether your decision is correct or not
Real Example: Siemens has created a complete digital twin of Burj Khalifa. Using this twin, they can optimize energy consumption, identify inefficient systems, and even simulate what would happen in case of fire or earthquake.

Virtual Reality for Worker Training

Training construction workers can be dangerous. How can you teach a novice worker to work on tall scaffolding without endangering their life?
Virtual Reality (VR) is the answer. Using VR headsets, workers can:
  • Practice working at heights in a completely safe environment
  • Become familiar with emergency situations like fire or earthquake
  • Learn how to use complex equipment
  • Experience mistakes without any danger
Research shows that workers trained with VR have 70% fewer accidents and learn tasks 40% faster.
The company ILIM in Russia uses VR to train its workers. They say this method is not only safer but has also reduced training costs by 50%.

AI and Construction Waste Management

The construction industry is one of the world's largest waste producers. About 30% of all global waste comes from construction. AI can help reduce this waste.
Intelligent systems can:
  • Calculate exact material requirements to reduce waste
  • Optimize material cutting planning (for example, cut wood or metal sheets in a way that produces minimum waste)
  • Perform automatic waste separation for recycling
  • Predict which materials can be used in other parts of the project
The company Katerra uses AI to optimize wood cutting and has been able to reduce waste by 40%.

Challenges and Obstacles: Why Isn't Everyone Using AI Yet?

With all these benefits, you might ask why not all construction companies are using AI yet? There are several main reasons:

High Initial Cost

Deploying AI systems requires significant initial investment. You must:
  • Purchase expensive software and hardware
  • Train employees
  • Create digital infrastructure
For small and medium-sized companies, these costs might be heavy. But it should be noted that in the long run, this investment has a very good return.

Resistance to Change

The construction industry is a traditional industry. Many contractors and workers have worked with old methods and are not very willing to change. They might:
  • Be afraid of new technology
  • Think traditional methods are better
  • Be worried about losing their jobs
To overcome this resistance, organizational culture must be changed and employees must be shown that AI has come to help them, not replace them.

Need for Quality Data

AI needs large amounts of quality data to work. But many construction companies:
  • Don't have a coherent system for data collection
  • Their old data is on paper and not digitized
  • Don't have uniform standards for recording information
Before using AI, an appropriate data infrastructure must be created.

Legal Issues and Liability

New legal questions arise:
  • If a robot makes a mistake and causes damage, who is responsible?
  • Can AI decisions be trusted?
  • How confidential should data collected from the site remain?
There are still no clear laws in this area and they must be gradually developed. The issue of trust in artificial intelligence is one of the important challenges.

The Future of the Construction Industry with AI

Autonomous Buildings

In the near future, we might have buildings that manage themselves. These buildings:
  • Adjust temperature, light, and ventilation without human intervention
  • Themselves detect which part needs repair and order it
  • Optimize their energy consumption based on electricity prices
  • Communicate with neighboring buildings and share energy

Smart Cities

When all buildings in a city become smart, a smart city is formed. In such a city:
  • Traffic is minimized because systems are coordinated
  • Energy is distributed optimally
  • Public services are provided more efficiently
  • Quality of life increases

Construction on Other Planets

Can you believe it? NASA and private companies like SpaceX are planning to build bases on the Moon and Mars. In these dangerous environments, robots and AI will play a vital role.
Imagine robots that can:
  • Make bricks and concrete using Mars soil
  • Work 24 hours without needing oxygen or food
  • Build bases that protect humans from cosmic radiation
This is no longer science fiction. NASA is testing 3D printers that can use local materials for construction.

Conclusion: A Future That Started Today

Artificial intelligence in the construction industry is no longer a theoretical or far-fetched concept. This technology is currently changing how buildings are designed, built, and managed. From robots that lay bricks to systems that can predict which part will break, AI is present everywhere in the construction industry.
Main Benefits:
  • 20-30% cost reduction in the entire construction cycle
  • 60% reduction in work accidents and increased worker safety
  • 40% reduction in construction time and ending chronic delays
  • 40-50% reduction in energy consumption in new buildings
  • 30% reduction in construction waste and debris
Of course, there are also challenges: initial cost, resistance to change, need for quality data, and legal issues. But companies that start using AI right now will have a big competitive advantage in the future.
If you are an architect, engineer, contractor, or even a real estate investor, you can no longer ignore AI. This technology is redefining the rules of the game. Those who accept and learn it sooner than their competitors will be the winners of the future.
The future of the construction industry is digital, smart, and green. And this future is taking shape right now—in construction sites, design offices, and research laboratories around the world. The question is not whether AI will change the construction industry or not. The question is when will you join this transformation?