Author: Laura Black
Today, we wrap up our blog series on AI (artificial intelligence) in construction. We have already looked at opportunities and risks, how to create a holistic strategy for businesses, and how to best leverage new innovation in the industry. Today, let’s turn our attention to how to create a long-term roadmap for the continuous evolution of AI, which is no small feat for many contractors. As Peggy Smedley always says, digital transformation is a journey, not a destination. A structured long-term roadmap could help companies move from early experimentation to sustained transformation in the construction industry. Creating a Roadmap Establish…
We are in the middle of our blog series on AI (artificial intelligence) in construction, already having looked at opportunities and risks and how to create a strategy for businesses. Today, let’s turn our attention to the broader digital foundation that includes data systems, connected devices, platforms, and advanced analytics tools. For construction organizations, leveraging technology effectively means combining AI with other digital innovations to transform how projects are planned, executed, and managed. Building the Digital Foundation AI systems rely heavily on structured, accessible data. Construction companies that want to take full advantage of AI must first establish a strong…
If you joined last week, then you know we are in the middle of an AI (artificial intelligence) blog series that aims to answer one key question: AI is here, now what? Last week we identified the potential opportunities and risks. The next critical step for construction companies is developing a clear strategy. Without a defined strategy, AI initiatives can become fragmented experiments rather than true transformation that improves performance across the organization. A successful AI strategy ensures technology investments align with business goals, operational needs, and workforce capabilities. Let’s explore how to create a strong strategy. Creating a Strategy…
As most know, AI (artificial intelligence) is rapidly moving from experimentation to implementation. For construction—an industry often challenged by tight margins, schedule pressures, labor shortages, and safety concerns—AI represents an opportunity to improve productivity. Here’s the challenge: Successful AI adoption requires more than simply purchasing new software. This is precisely the reason we are starting a new blog series aimed at answering one key question: AI is here, now what? In the next few weeks, we will walk through a step-by-step guide for AI implementation. The first step we will explore in today’s blog is identifying where AI can create…
Data, data, data. We are entering a new era of work, where data is the new currency, and we have the technologies readily available to leverage this data—but do we have the infrastructure? From energy to data centers, infrastructure across the country needs to be finetuned in order to meet the needs of tomorrow’s data-driven world. Consider this: Electricity demand is projected to grow 15% to 20% by 2030, driven by the rapid expansion of data centers, electrification needs, and more growth. Much of that demand is being met by newly available renewable power sources. Many construction professionals recognize this…
Construction companies across the country are publishing new reports offering insight into the current state of the construction market. The reports examine trends such as rising material costs, labor shortages, project demand, and regional growth patterns. By sharing this data, firms aim to provide developers, investors, and policymakers with a clearer understanding of how the industry is performing and what challenges and opportunities may lie ahead. With this, we see a big shift coming for delivery methods that all contractors need to be aware of. Let’s take a closer look. The State of the Market Skanska recently released its Winter…
Welcome to Women in Construction Week. As we always say here at Constructech, the numbers tell a very interesting story, and it seems the data is trying to tell us something, if we are willing to listen to what it has to say. While 1.13 million women worked in the construction industry in 2006, that total fell to just 802,000 in 2012. What happened during that time to make the numbers drop so sharply? Simply, the 2008 Great Recession. However, since 2012, the number of female construction employees has increased. In 2024, women represented 11.2% of the construction workforce, which…
Let’s talk homebuilding. We are a couple of months into the new year, and there is much for homebuilders to consider as the year continues to unfold. For instance, 84% of homebuilders said that elevated mortgage rates were the most significant challenge builders faced in 2025, and 65% anticipate interest rates will remain a problem in 2026. Other serious issues builders faced in 2025, according to the NAHB (National Assn. of Home Builders)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, include: Concern about the employment/economic situation The cost/availability of developed lots Negative media reports making buyers cautious Cost/availability of labor Rising inflation in…
Innovation inevitability reshapes the way we live, work, and relate to each other. Thus, when we enter a new era of innovation, we must always enter it with a spirit of curiosity and a spirit of eager learning. Approaching these changes with curiosity allows us to ask better questions, explore new possibilities, and challenge our assumptions, rather than cling to outdated principles. Consider the recent example of a new innovations center. Innovation at Work The Evolver Innovation Center is designed to help U.S. federal government organizations adopt new technologies and serves as a collaborative environment where leaders, engineers, and cybersecurity…
In recent years, we have seen a rise in new technologies aimed specifically at improving the energy efficiency of homes and buildings. Reducing energy usage is often a win-win for everyone involved. What if quantum could step in and make homes even more energy efficient? Let’s consider some of the research out of Hanbat National University, South Korea, which targets quantum reinforcement learning of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems). Last year, researchers at the university presented a demonstration of continuous-variable, quantum-enhance reinforcement learning for resident HVAC and home power management. The technology integrates features such as multi-zone cooling…