By: Reid Rubinstein CEO, Field Control Analytics

The construction industry has historically been cautious about adopting new technologies. Budget constraints, low margins, safety concerns, project complexity, economic uncertainty, regulatory concerns and past technological failures are all challenges the industry has endured. However, we believe artificial intelligence offers a transformative opportunity to overcome these challenges. Predicting Project Cost Overruns Cost management remains a persistent challenge in the construction industry. Large construction projects typically take 20% longer to finish than scheduled and are often over budget. FCA believes AI can substantially improve this scenario by predicting cost overruns through several variables such as the number of workers on site daily, tasks needing completion and the productivity of work completed on- or off-site. Our vision is to leverage AI algorithms to analyze this data and identify patterns and correlations that may indicate future budget issues. For instance, if a project requires a specific number of workers each day to stay on schedule, AI can flag deviations in real time, allowing project managers to adjust based on these insights.

AI-driven project management tools are predicted to improve project performance by 30%. These tools enable project managers to make data-driven decisions, reducing human error and enhancing the accuracy of project estimates. Today, we see this in practice with our own clients in the use of our solution’s real-time insights. Our clients have used our historical and real-time worker reports to detect misreporting of hours and “ghost employees,” saving general contractors hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. As we incorporate more AI into our tools, these insights will be served to project executives and superintendents in real time so they can have better control of the project budget and make changes to manage costs faster.

Risk Mitigation Through Workforce Labor Tracking

Safety is a paramount concern in construction. FCA envisions AI as a tool to mitigate risks by tracking workforce labor patterns and predicting worker fatigue.

By leveraging worksite sensors, video and wearable devices, AI-powered systems can detect early signs of fatigue, such as reduced reaction times, irregular movements and changes in vital signs, and then alert supervisors to take preventive actions. Analyzing data patterns allows AI to predict when workers are likely to experience fatigue and suggest optimal break times or task rotations to mitigate risks. This not only improves the work environment but also reduces accidents, helping lower insurance premiums and costs for general contractors.

FCA also sees AI automating the assignment of high-risk tasks to the most qualified and experienced workers, ensuring safety without compromising productivity. Continuous learning from on-site data enables AI systems to refine risk assessments and provide more accurate recommendations over time.

FCA’s clients have used our non-AI-derived reports to identify when specialty contractors are overworking their teams. These insights, even without AI, have caused avoidance of injury. We envision a world where AI will streamline these insights, alerting clients to jobsite safety issues, thus saving lives, and reduce costs associated with workplace accidents.

Leveraging Data for Workforce Management and Trends Across Multiple Construction Sites

The uniqueness of each construction project presents a significant challenge in standardizing workforce management practices. However, FCA believes AI can help infer trends across different sites, enabling more effective management through technology and pattern recognition.

FCA envisions the use of AI to support our access control technology by collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data from multiple projects to identify common factors that contribute to success or failure. For instance, AI can detect patterns in workforce productivity based on time of day, weather conditions or specific task needs by project category (e.g., aviation or health care). By understanding these trends, project managers can optimize work schedules, allocate resources more efficiently and enhance overall productivity.

Additionally, AI can address inconsistent workforce performance by providing personalized training recommendations. By analyzing individual workers' performance data, AI can identify areas needing additional training and suggest targeted interventions. This personalized approach ensures all workers possess the necessary skills to perform their tasks efficiently and safely.

Early research suggests companies that leverage AI for workforce management saw a 20% increase in productivity and a 15% reduction in costs. FCA aims to bring similar benefits to the construction industry, helping firms achieve more consistent and efficient project outcomes.

FCA envisions a future where AI supports the construction industry in creating safer jobsites, enhancing workforce management and reducing costs. FCA believes that close collaboration with general contractors is essential for developing effective AI tools.

FCA is committed to crafting solutions that boost project efficiency and safety without disrupting workflows. By integrating client feedback into AI tool development, FCA ensures that its innovations meet the industry’s needs, fostering a collaborative effort to drive progress and innovation.