Artificial Intelligence in Construction

AI—Development in the construction and real estate industry

1960s:

• Early attempts at AI in the construction industry to support complex calculations and plans.

1970s:

• Introduction of computer-aided design (CAD) systems to digitally create and edit construction plans.

1990s:

• Rise of building information modeling (BIM) with 3D models and data integration.

2000s:

• Integration of AI in building automation systems to improve energy efficiency and comfort.

2010s until today:

• Increased use of AI for predictive maintenance to predict and prevent incidents.
• Increasing use of autonomous robots and drones for inspections and measurements.
• Use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for immersive project visualization.
• Development of AI models for more precise real estate valuations and to support the selling and renting process.
• Increased integration of artificial intelligence in proven systems such as CAD and BIM.

Sustainability and future outlook:

• AI is being used more to promote sustainability, green construction projects, and smart cities, and this development is an ongoing process.

Artificial intelligence is taking the construction and real estate industry to the next level

Innovation driver, efficiency booster, or quality tool

AI-supported applications are already revolutionizing the construction and real estate industry. For example, technologies can contribute to sustainable and environmentally friendly planning and production or save space and resources. AI also enables even better quality assurance by optimizing supply chains and identifying problematic materials and waste at an early stage.

We know how to successfully integrate, build, and place software solutions on the market. We have the expertise, experience, and networks to turn innovative ideas into digital products and apply them. We have a vision and know where we want to go.

How we go about it?

Our experts work together with various divisions and the core business on solutions and use cases to increase the efficiency and quality of various processes and workflows using artificial intelligence.

We rely on the highest security standards and a secure test environment. Therefore, in order to test AI use cases and create prototypes, we have set up an AI Lab. This is a digital workshop that makes it possible to perform testing in a secure environment.

Artificial intelligence in construction at Drees & Sommer

An important building block is the testing and early use of new tools and products such as Bing Chat Enterprise, which is now called Copilot. The intelligent chat is a daily companion in everyday working life with a focus on the topics of searching, researching, finding, organizing, etc.:

• We are also working, for example, on a PDF chat, which enables interactive exchange with PDFs, summarizes content, generates lists, or provides specific answers to questions. All tools are integrated into a protected environment with top-notch cybersecurity standards to ensure our users’ safety.
• An internal “Dreso-GPT” is also under development, which bundles company-related information and is available as a knowledge database. We use large language models to enter complex questions instead of individual terms in the search. The vision is to preserve corporate knowledge and make it usable in the long term.
• We are testing the Microsoft 365 Copilot with the Early Access Program (EAP). The intelligent AI platform integrates seamlessly into Microsoft apps such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, enables secure access to company data, and facilitates the creation of content. We worked closely with Microsoft to introduce the AI-based virtual assistant and are in the process of testing it extensively for everyday work.

WORKSHOPS

• We establish a culture that promotes innovation and we draw on the innovation potential of our colleagues for digital solutions through internal workshop formats such as the AI Ideathon, a Copilot Hackathon, or our Digital Future Days, which take place at regular intervals for different areas of the company.

LEARNING FORMATS

• In order to inform all employees about AI topics and discuss them together, the Innovation Center has implemented a digital information and learning format: the AI Learning Nuggets. In addition to general basics, there are further sessions on data security and GDPR compliance, prompt training, AI tools, mini-ideathons, and more.

EXTERNAL MEASURES

WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

• Innovation is necessary for a company to survive. With this in mind, the Innovation Center has created INNO VISION, an exclusive expert forum held at selected Drees & Sommer locations as part of international innovation events such as SXSW, GREENTECH FESTIVAL, Web Summit, or Bits & Pretzels. Our INNO VISION gives participants the opportunity to learn first-hand about the most important technology and innovation trends as part of a business lunch and to discuss questions, impressions, and ideas with an exclusive panel of experts.
• We also offer our strategic workshop formats, such as the AI Ideathon, as part of an innovation strategy for your company.
• Ideas and presentationson the topic of artificial intelligence and its impact on the construction and real estate industry or its influence on transformation processes in companies can be held by and with us.

Start-ups as drivers of artificial intelligence in construction

A lot is also happening in our network. Start-ups in particular are playing a decisive role in the AI technology trend as they are developing disruptive business models and are the drivers of digitalization. Our expertise is also being utilized here. A very specific example of this is the establishment of the start-up LCM Digital, which offers a software solution for lean construction management. LCM Digital has been a great success, receiving external funding from Würth, which confirms the potential and quality of the software solution.

The Drees & Sommer Innovation Scouting Report contains further examples of start-ups based on AI. The report also looks at the neo-ecology megatrend and the three most relevant technology trends at present: AI (artificial intelligence), big data analytics, and IoT (Internet of Things).

In addition to developing and integrating new AI tools, we are also working on linking Web3, VR, AR, and the metaverse. Ultimately, all technologies come together and combine to provide a real boost to innovation.