Construction Industry’s Workforce Shortage: How AI Can Help Solve It
A recent survey by the Associated General Contractors of America found that 79% of construction firms are having difficulty finding qualified workers, causing a serious workforce shortage that will only get worse.
A shortage of skilled workers has long plagued the construction industry and companies are scrambling to find solutions that work in today’s climate. With more than 2 million jobs to fill in the next 3 years, the time for change is now. Classic recruiting tactics like attending career fairs and putting out posters are simply not enough.
The industry is looking for modern methods to help combat an impending and ongoing workforce crisis. As the demand for new buildings and infrastructure continues to grow, the industry is facing an increasing need for labor. However, the labor pool is not growing fast enough to keep up with this demand, leading to delays and higher costs for construction projects.
As companies ramp up their recruiting efforts, new methods for bringing in a younger workforce have grown in popularity. From better utilizing social media to artificial intelligence, the race for a solution is on.
AI Can Automate Tasks and Optimize Processes in the Construction Industry
One way to address this issue is to turn to artificial intelligence (AI) for help.
While it may sound like science fiction to think that artificial intelligence can help deal with workforce issues across the construction industry, it is very much a possibility. AI can automate specific tasks, allowing workers to focus on more complex and high-level work.
How Can AI Help Construction Companies
AI reduces the need for manual labor, which can be time-consuming and physically demanding. AI can also be used to optimize construction processes, making them more efficient and reducing the time and resources required to complete a project.
For example, AI can be used to analyze construction plans and identify potential problems or inefficiencies. This can help construction managers make more informed decisions about how to allocate resources and schedule work. The more efficiently you can operate, the less overall number of employees needed may go down.
New technology is making it easier for site managers to avoid human error and get a clear view of their projects. A company in Claifornia is currently using robots that were equipped with 3D cameras and were able to scan 50,000-foot floors in just 20 minutes. This is much faster than any human crew could do and you get exact feedback sent right to you since the process is automated.
AI is already currently being used in construction, some examples are:
Risk Mitigation
Project Planning
Ability to work off-site with cameras and robotics
AI can also be used to monitor construction sites in real-time, alerting workers to potential hazards and helping them avoid accidents. Allowing companies to keep their current employees healthy and happy longer.
AI Can Improve Safety on Construction Sites
Another potential benefit of AI in the construction industry is improved safety. Construction work can be dangerous, and accidents are all too common. AI can help reduce the risk of accidents by identifying potential hazards and alerting workers to take appropriate precautions. For example, AI-powered drones can be used to inspect construction sites, looking for potential hazards such as unstable scaffolding or exposed wiring.
It is also expected that robots will eventually take over a portion of the more treacherous jobs in construction, hopefully reducing the number of deaths and accidents on construction sites. If the industry as a whole can move in the direction of safer, less dangerous work, we can expect a larger pool of the next generation to be interested in the work.
Can AI Help the Workforce Shortage Issue?
A major issue in recruiting the youth of today into the industry is the stigmas that surround it. When young people think of construction, they think of hard and dirty work.
While that can be the case, adding things like AI to automate certain tasks and lessen the workload could very well make the industry more appealing to a more tech-savvy generation.
Adopting Ai Into Construction is the Future
Overall, the use of AI in the construction industry has the potential to transform the way we build. By automating certain tasks and optimizing processes, AI can help reduce the need for a large workforce while improving productivity and safety.
As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative uses for it in the construction industry, helping to solve the workforce issue and driving the industry forward.
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If you are interested in our other blogs about working in road construction, check them out here!