The construction industry stands at a crossroads, grappling with a severe labor shortage that threatens to derail its growth trajectory. With 25% of the workforce over 55 years old and a wave of retirements on the horizon, the sector is facing an urgent need to attract and retain new talent. The 2008 financial crisis exacerbated this issue, as many young workers were deterred from entering the industry due to the lack of new builds. Now, as the demand for construction surges—driven by initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the rise of complex projects such as data centers and semiconductor facilities—the industry is struggling to keep pace.
The Associated Builders and Contractors estimates that the U.S. must attract 454,000 additional workers on top of the normal hiring pace in 2025 to meet demand. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for solutions that can enhance productivity and attract a new generation of tech-savvy talent. Enter artificial intelligence (AI), a transformative force poised to revolutionize the construction landscape.
AI isn’t here to replace construction workers; instead, it’s here to elevate them, to empower them with tools and technologies that enhance their skills and make their jobs easier, safer, and more productive. By automating tasks such as design and error correction, AI can significantly reduce the time and resources spent on fixing design errors, which currently consume up to 20% of AEC professionals’ time. AI algorithms can analyze building codes, site conditions, and design requirements to generate optimized and error-free designs in a fraction of the time it takes humans. This not only frees up valuable time for understaffed teams but also reduces waste and improves overall productivity.
The construction industry has traditionally been seen as lacking in innovation, making it challenging to attract young talent. However, with 79% of early career workers excited about the opportunities to use AI and advanced technology, the industry must adapt and incorporate these tools in exciting and innovative ways. Imagine a construction site where robots work alongside humans, drones capture real-time data, and AI algorithms optimize every aspect of the building process. This is the future with AI, and that future could inspire more young people to consider a career in construction.
AI can also lower the barrier to entry for construction trades, which often require years of training and experience to master. For example, it takes around 5 years of training to become a NECA-certified commercial electrician, but with AI-powered programs that provide personalized guidance and feedback and AR tools that allow education to be more hands-on, the training period could be compressed into a shorter program. AI can lower the barrier to entry and significantly reduce the time it takes to become proficient in construction trades, making them more accessible to a wider range of people.
In electrical contracting, AI is already proving to be a valuable resource for constrained teams. Electrical systems are generally the last step in a design sequence because electrical circuits are the least constrained. This makes the job of the electrical designer much more complex as their work is restricted by the designs of other trades, and they must frequently adjust their plans last minute. At the same time, electrical systems are becoming increasingly complex, with the rise of smart buildings and renewable energy sources. Fortunately, AI is already helping electrical contractors do more with less by:
Automating Design and Modeling: AI algorithms can generate optimized electrical designs, taking into account building codes, energy efficiency requirements, and spatial constraints. This not only saves time but also ensures compliance and reduces errors.
Improving Prefabrication: AI can optimize the design and fabrication of electrical components off-site, leading to greater efficiency and reduced waste.
Enhancing Collaboration: AI-powered platforms can facilitate communication and coordination between electrical contractors, other trades, and project stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Predictive Maintenance: AI can analyze data from electrical systems to predict potential failures and maintenance needs, preventing costly downtime and ensuring safety.
The construction industry is at a pivotal moment. It’s time to harness the power of AI to transform the sector. AI is not just a technology but a catalyst for change. It’s a tool that can help the industry address the labor shortage, improve productivity, and meet the growing demand for the built environment. But most importantly, it’s a tool that can empower the next generation of construction workers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to build a better future for all. And for companies that have already used AI, the value has been proven quickly. 55% of AEC companies that have used AI say the technology has become ‘highly important’, and 84% of these companies plan to increase their investment in AI by 2030.
The future of construction is here, and it’s powered by AI. Let’s embrace AI, not fear it. Let’s use it to build a future where